More at Fort Ward
Thursday, May 06, 2010
To the Editor:
As always, I enjoyed reading the "Council Notebook" column in the April 29 Gazette-Packet. It is an insightful look at the work of the City Council.
You should know, however, that the "old Union artillery fort along Braddock Road" that the column references actually has a proper name — Fort Ward (named for James Harmon Ward). Fort Ward is one of 68 major forts that protected Washington from invasion during the Civil War, and is the only one actively interpreted (through the Fort Ward Museum run by the City of Alexandria). You can read about all these "old artillery forts" in a book co-authored by Wally Owen, one of the Museum's curators, called "Mr. Lincoln's Forts."
Your column was correct that Lance Mallamo — along with his staff at the Office of Historic Alexandria — is working diligently to protect and interpret the remains of the African-American community that grew up around Fort Ward after the Civil War. You should know, though, that Lance and OHA are not alone — Jim Spengler and a team from Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, the Fort Ward Advisory Group (appointed by City Council) and the Fort Ward History Work Group are all involved in this important effort to preserve this significant piece of Alexandria's past and share this story with other Alexandrians and with visitors. So while your column was technically correct that the old fence posts from Lance's house are a fine temporary — and cost-free — solution to the problem of preserving the gravesites discovered so far, there's a lot more going on at the "old Union artillery fort along Braddock Road" than just that!
Bill Schreiner
President, Friends of Fort Ward
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