Fort Ward History Work Group Meeting
May 1, 2010
DRAFT MEETING SUMMARY
Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster
Attendees: Audrey Davis, Susan Cumbey, Lance Mallamo, Chris Morley, Chuck Ziegler, Elaine Tamanini, Glenn Eugster, Adrienne Washington, Dave Cavanaugh, Wally Owen
The meeting began with a continuation of the discussion of the various interests that had been expressed at the last meeting and in correspondence to OHA. Earlier a number of work group members expressed concern about the African American cell-phone tour and the way it was being developed by the city. Members suggested that the effort would be more useful if time and money was invested in a museum exhibit on African Americans at Fort Ward and Seminary.
Susan Cumbey commented that one challenge for a museum exhibit is how to deal with limited space. She noted that a large scale display was meant to be an outdoor diorama. There are 200 years of African American history in Alexandria.
Susan noted that the Museum staff had prepared a U.S. Colored Troops brochure using a NEH grant and it is on the city‘s website as well as in the Museum. She added that the website has good African American information and that she wants to revise the site to integrate African American history. There is a “Special Topics” on the web-page for the brochure.
Adrienne Washington said that no one should have to drill to find this information. She urged the OHA staff make the African American information more incorporated and more inclusive in the website. She added that she hoped that the panel in the main level of the Museum would be upgraded.
Adrienne mentioned that the Seminary Civic Association is creating a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization called the Fort Ward and Seminary African-American Descendants Group. She noted that six branches of the original families who lived on the land that is now Fort Ward Park continue to live within the community. The group wants to have the history of the park show that African-Americans participated in their own freedom.
Adrienne noted that what is lost in existing historical materials is recognition of the Contraband Act and that people were coming to the Fort and living in a nether land. They contributed labor, fought in the Civil War, and assisted at the Seminary. Their contribution was critical to helping the Union win the war. People were here as salves. They were working. Three people fought in the war. They participated in reconstruction. And, people are still here!
Adrienne stressed that “We can show living history”. We need to connect the two histories and honor our ancestors. She urged OHA no to just do this on the website. “We need something permanent”.
Dave Cavanaugh urged the group not to get caught in the interpretation trap. He said that we could do a number of things. It’s important to get something done, get something started. Over time we will see something clearer.
Adrienne noted the example of the Freedman’s story at the proposed memorial and added that people weren’t passive. She urged the group to bring Tracey from the Freedman’s effort to speak with this group.
Wally Owen noted that where the Freedman’s story ends at the Memorial it picks-up here at Fort Ward. Perhaps we can jump from Freedman’s to the U.S. Colored troops. He asked the group, “How can I tell the African-American and the Fort Ward Park story together? We have fragments of information”.
Susan added that the story lines could be easily incorporated into the revised Fort Ward park exhibit. Wally noted that the staff from the Smithsonian Institution urged the Museum staff to think differently and consider the concept of the forts being bastions of freedom.
Adrienne mentioned that the Fort Ward Civil War interests could hold a joint meeting with the African-American Descendants Group. She noted that this area could be a “money-maker” if the site is put on the Southern Freedom Trail.
Dave Cavanaugh asked, “Does the City value our [work group] views?” He feels that we are often told what we need to know rather than being relied on for the talent that we have. Wally replied that we need to know what the history is. Susan added that the Museum staff values the work being done and is waiting for hard-core data. She added that they have put the exhibit revisions on hold.
Adrienne said that she would like to have an exhibit on the U.S. Colored Troops put up as soon as possible. She hoped that the city would change the exhibit from a “lily-white story”. Wally commented that the story could include African-American empowerment in building the defenses of Washington and then go to the U.S. Colored Troops. Adrienne urged Wally and Susan to do a panel on the U.S. Colored Troops as soon as possible.
Dave noted that a story on William Wood, a member of the Colored Troops, could be included. He added that Douglas Wood still lives on Quaker Lane and is an Assistant Principal of Hammond High School. Adrienne added that there are records on one of her relatives, James Montgomery Peters, and his musket is a Manassas National Historic Battlefield.
Elaine Tamanini, formerly a volunteer at the Office of Archaeology, asked the group whether any research has been done on the Battle of Malvern Hill. She noted that as a child she and others found what appeared to be Civil War bullets and Native American arrowheads around the Malvern Hill Mansion.
Dave noted that another source of information is “Wives of Different Times”. He said that the history of Bishop Johns, Cooper Dawson, and the Hoff cottage, has been told.
Wally said that the exhibit will be developed but it will initially be small. Susan added that Adrienne would be consulted in its design.
Adrienne said that this Fort Ward Park effort had initially started out with tension. Now Lance Mallamo and James Spengler seemed more willing to participate and not put people in cross-hairs.
Lance Mallamo said that, “Mistakes [at Fort Ward Park] were made in the past. Promises made by former Recreation Department Director Kirk Kincannon were not delivered on”. He added that Fort Ward Park was not in the budget. The results of the public meetings indicated that people wanted more interpretation. He added that OHA has never done a workgroup like this one before but it has been a phenomenal success.
Lance added that he doesn’t think we are ready to tell the story. He said that he would be willing to do an overall panel but we have no money. He added that the funds from the National Trust and the National Park Service can only be used for certain types of work and that money for a Museum exhibit was not available. He added that more money for archaeology was likely.
Chuck Ziegler noted that the city’s budget shortfall was likely to last five years. Susan added that there is no money for printing.
Lance told the group that he thought the History Work Group was a model for other areas.
The group’s discussion focused on possible tasks for Fort Ward Museum and Park. The tasks that were suggested and discussed include:
1. A Museum exhibit on African-Americans.
2. Interpretive signs using National Trust grant money.
3. A brochure or pamphlet with a map.
4. Itineraries for visitors.
5. Articles on African-American history.
6. Completion of the Fort Ward Historical and Cultural Inventory.
There was discussion and apparent agreement on these tasks as well as the need for a near-term and longer-term strategy. The near-term strategy would focus on low or no-cost changes and be done in tandem with the History Work Group. Longer-term changes would be driven by the Fort Ward Park Ad-Hoc Advisory Group.
The discussion continued with participants suggesting other ideas for consideration. Lance suggested a model of the park outside. Wally said that the video needs to be redone. Dave urged the group to tap expertise from Smithsonian. Lance mentioned the idea of identifying, protecting and interpreting “Witness trees” in the park. He added that there was a need to do a Historic Landscape Survey and a Natural Resource Inventory.
Following this discussion the meeting was adjourned.
May 1, 2010
DRAFT MEETING SUMMARY
Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster
Attendees: Audrey Davis, Susan Cumbey, Lance Mallamo, Chris Morley, Chuck Ziegler, Elaine Tamanini, Glenn Eugster, Adrienne Washington, Dave Cavanaugh, Wally Owen
The meeting began with a continuation of the discussion of the various interests that had been expressed at the last meeting and in correspondence to OHA. Earlier a number of work group members expressed concern about the African American cell-phone tour and the way it was being developed by the city. Members suggested that the effort would be more useful if time and money was invested in a museum exhibit on African Americans at Fort Ward and Seminary.
Susan Cumbey commented that one challenge for a museum exhibit is how to deal with limited space. She noted that a large scale display was meant to be an outdoor diorama. There are 200 years of African American history in Alexandria.
Susan noted that the Museum staff had prepared a U.S. Colored Troops brochure using a NEH grant and it is on the city‘s website as well as in the Museum. She added that the website has good African American information and that she wants to revise the site to integrate African American history. There is a “Special Topics” on the web-page for the brochure.
Adrienne Washington said that no one should have to drill to find this information. She urged the OHA staff make the African American information more incorporated and more inclusive in the website. She added that she hoped that the panel in the main level of the Museum would be upgraded.
Adrienne mentioned that the Seminary Civic Association is creating a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization called the Fort Ward and Seminary African-American Descendants Group. She noted that six branches of the original families who lived on the land that is now Fort Ward Park continue to live within the community. The group wants to have the history of the park show that African-Americans participated in their own freedom.
Adrienne noted that what is lost in existing historical materials is recognition of the Contraband Act and that people were coming to the Fort and living in a nether land. They contributed labor, fought in the Civil War, and assisted at the Seminary. Their contribution was critical to helping the Union win the war. People were here as salves. They were working. Three people fought in the war. They participated in reconstruction. And, people are still here!
Adrienne stressed that “We can show living history”. We need to connect the two histories and honor our ancestors. She urged OHA no to just do this on the website. “We need something permanent”.
Dave Cavanaugh urged the group not to get caught in the interpretation trap. He said that we could do a number of things. It’s important to get something done, get something started. Over time we will see something clearer.
Adrienne noted the example of the Freedman’s story at the proposed memorial and added that people weren’t passive. She urged the group to bring Tracey from the Freedman’s effort to speak with this group.
Wally Owen noted that where the Freedman’s story ends at the Memorial it picks-up here at Fort Ward. Perhaps we can jump from Freedman’s to the U.S. Colored troops. He asked the group, “How can I tell the African-American and the Fort Ward Park story together? We have fragments of information”.
Susan added that the story lines could be easily incorporated into the revised Fort Ward park exhibit. Wally noted that the staff from the Smithsonian Institution urged the Museum staff to think differently and consider the concept of the forts being bastions of freedom.
Adrienne mentioned that the Fort Ward Civil War interests could hold a joint meeting with the African-American Descendants Group. She noted that this area could be a “money-maker” if the site is put on the Southern Freedom Trail.
Dave Cavanaugh asked, “Does the City value our [work group] views?” He feels that we are often told what we need to know rather than being relied on for the talent that we have. Wally replied that we need to know what the history is. Susan added that the Museum staff values the work being done and is waiting for hard-core data. She added that they have put the exhibit revisions on hold.
Adrienne said that she would like to have an exhibit on the U.S. Colored Troops put up as soon as possible. She hoped that the city would change the exhibit from a “lily-white story”. Wally commented that the story could include African-American empowerment in building the defenses of Washington and then go to the U.S. Colored Troops. Adrienne urged Wally and Susan to do a panel on the U.S. Colored Troops as soon as possible.
Dave noted that a story on William Wood, a member of the Colored Troops, could be included. He added that Douglas Wood still lives on Quaker Lane and is an Assistant Principal of Hammond High School. Adrienne added that there are records on one of her relatives, James Montgomery Peters, and his musket is a Manassas National Historic Battlefield.
Elaine Tamanini, formerly a volunteer at the Office of Archaeology, asked the group whether any research has been done on the Battle of Malvern Hill. She noted that as a child she and others found what appeared to be Civil War bullets and Native American arrowheads around the Malvern Hill Mansion.
Dave noted that another source of information is “Wives of Different Times”. He said that the history of Bishop Johns, Cooper Dawson, and the Hoff cottage, has been told.
Wally said that the exhibit will be developed but it will initially be small. Susan added that Adrienne would be consulted in its design.
Adrienne said that this Fort Ward Park effort had initially started out with tension. Now Lance Mallamo and James Spengler seemed more willing to participate and not put people in cross-hairs.
Lance Mallamo said that, “Mistakes [at Fort Ward Park] were made in the past. Promises made by former Recreation Department Director Kirk Kincannon were not delivered on”. He added that Fort Ward Park was not in the budget. The results of the public meetings indicated that people wanted more interpretation. He added that OHA has never done a workgroup like this one before but it has been a phenomenal success.
Lance added that he doesn’t think we are ready to tell the story. He said that he would be willing to do an overall panel but we have no money. He added that the funds from the National Trust and the National Park Service can only be used for certain types of work and that money for a Museum exhibit was not available. He added that more money for archaeology was likely.
Chuck Ziegler noted that the city’s budget shortfall was likely to last five years. Susan added that there is no money for printing.
Lance told the group that he thought the History Work Group was a model for other areas.
The group’s discussion focused on possible tasks for Fort Ward Museum and Park. The tasks that were suggested and discussed include:
1. A Museum exhibit on African-Americans.
2. Interpretive signs using National Trust grant money.
3. A brochure or pamphlet with a map.
4. Itineraries for visitors.
5. Articles on African-American history.
6. Completion of the Fort Ward Historical and Cultural Inventory.
There was discussion and apparent agreement on these tasks as well as the need for a near-term and longer-term strategy. The near-term strategy would focus on low or no-cost changes and be done in tandem with the History Work Group. Longer-term changes would be driven by the Fort Ward Park Ad-Hoc Advisory Group.
The discussion continued with participants suggesting other ideas for consideration. Lance suggested a model of the park outside. Wally said that the video needs to be redone. Dave urged the group to tap expertise from Smithsonian. Lance mentioned the idea of identifying, protecting and interpreting “Witness trees” in the park. He added that there was a need to do a Historic Landscape Survey and a Natural Resource Inventory.
Following this discussion the meeting was adjourned.
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