Search & Rescue Needed for Fort Ward’s Lost Graves
October 21, 2012
In September noted historian and author C.R. Gibbs made a presentation to the members of the Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society, Inc. at the Oakland Baptist Church. His presentation, titled “The Call of Freedom” opened with a horrific 1861 painting by Richard Ansdell called 'The Hunted Slaves’. The painting depicts the use of dogs to find people trying to escape from slavery. Mr. Gibbs presentation led the audience on an emotional journey through the Underground Railroad including stops in Alexandria, VA.
The people in the audience have been on another journey to research, locate and properly recognize and protect their ancestors and others who lived and are buried within the land that is now Fort Ward Historic Park. Although City of Alexandria elected officials and government agency managers and staff have been working diligently to locate the lost graves of Fort Ward some of their work with ground-penetrating-radar and test-pits has not been able to find many of the remaining graves in the park.
In August, in a decision that suprised descendant family members as well as those serving the city on the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group and the Fort Ward History Work Group, Lance Mallamo, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria announced a decision to end the search for additional graves. Although the City of Alexandria’s press release, which was shared with the media rather than community partners, offered a variety of reasons for the about face, the fact remains that there are more lost graves in Fort Ward Historic Park and community leaders want the city to continue the search.
One alternative that may be a way to compliment the city’s archaeologists, and the family members assisting them, is the use of “search and rescue dogs”. Attached is a link with more information on the use of dogs to help archaeologists locate graves. Also included is the link with information on Ansdell’s painting.
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Archaeologists Can Learn From SAR Dogs. Canine SAR Background: .... •Find unmarked graves or cemeteries, including locating 'outliners' near cemeteries & ...
The Hunted Slaves' 1861 by Richard Ansdell. On display in the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool.
Fort Ward Observer
About
The Fort Ward Observer was created after discussions with homeowners in Marlboro Estates and members of the Friends of Fort Ward organization.
The purpose of the Fort Ward Observer is to provide community interests with information on what is being considered, proposed and underway in Fort Ward Park and its surrounding area.
Description
Fort Ward Park was established by the City of Alexandria, as a historic park, in 1964 through a collaborative effort, which began in the early 1950’s between local homeowners, citizens, historians, civic associations, City Park, Public Works, and Planning Department managers and local elected officials. The purpose of the Fort Ward Observer is to provide community interests with information on what is being considered, proposed and underway in Fort Ward Park and its surrounding area.
Fort Ward may be the greatest success story. Preservationists made the Alexandria City government aware of Fort Ward in 1953 and voiced demands for its purchase and preservation. This influenced one writer to remark, "Fort Ward, which has been reconstructed, is the best example of an earthwork fort." By 1961, the city purchased the fort and surrounding land, approximately 40 acres. It then undertook a preservation and reconstruction plan, to make the northwest bastion appear as it did during the Civil War and to construct buildings patterned after those pictured in Matthew Brady photographs taken at the various forts in the Defenses of Washington. The park opened and was dedicated on May 30, 1964, during the Civil War Centennial. At times, the city has over-emphasized its recreational facilities and, as a result, interested individuals organized the Friends of Fort Ward to
Fort Ward may be the greatest success story. Preservationists made the Alexandria City government aware of Fort Ward in 1953 and voiced demands for its purchase and preservation. This influenced one writer to remark, "Fort Ward, which has been reconstructed, is the best example of an earthwork fort." By 1961, the city purchased the fort and surrounding land, approximately 40 acres. It then undertook a preservation and reconstruction plan, to make the northwest bastion appear as it did during the Civil War and to construct buildings patterned after those pictured in Matthew Brady photographs taken at the various forts in the Defenses of Washington. The park opened and was dedicated on May 30, 1964, during the Civil War Centennial. At times, the city has over-emphasized its recreational facilities and, as a result, interested individuals organized the Friends of Fort Ward to
fight for the historical aspects of the park. With its reconstructed bastion, a museum with superior quality artifacts, an exemplary educational program, and a fine recreational facilities including an amphitheater, it is currently the premier Civil War Defenses of Washington fortification site in the Washington area.
For more information on Fort Ward Park see:
For more information on Fort Ward Park see:
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The Fort Ward Observer Blog features various letters, reports and documents from Fort Ward Historical Park. Fort Ward, a Civil War fortress created to protect ...
J. Glenn Eugster
Alexandria, VA.
