Research Still Needed at Fort Ward to Find Lost Graves. April 19, 2013

Research Still Needed at Fort Ward to Find Lost Graves

April 19, 2013


“The Society has compiled a list of twenty-five people that have information about graves, gravestones and other artifacts related to the African American community at the Fort. We believe that these individuals should be interviewed before any further decisions are made about Fort Ward Park. The members of the Society continue to believe that the City will be more effective in collecting information if we work together. We would be happy to meet with you and Mr. Mallamo [Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria] to discuss the list and how we can work together.

The members also developed a list of current and former City of Alexandria employees who we believe have information about the graves and gravestones of Fort Ward Park. We request that these individuals be interviewed as soon as possible. Where employees work in the Office of Historic Alexandria we suggest that an objective third-party conduct the interview. We would like to be allowed to have a representative from the Society attend each of the interviews. Those with information about Fort Ward include:

Rebecca Beverly
Laverne Coleman
Robert Clark
Wanda Dowell
Jean Frederico
Ralph Hall
John Healy
Herman Lewis
Lance Mallamo
Wally Owen
Moses Simmons
Steve Tompkins”

August 8, 2012 Letter from the Fort Ward & Seminary African American Descendants Society, Inc. to Pam Cressey, City Archaeologist, Office of Historic Alexandria, VA.

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Fort Ward History--Who was Charles W. Hendryx and why is there a memorial in his honor in Fort Ward Park? April 2011

Fort Ward History--Who was Charles W. Hendryx and why is there a memorial in his honor in Fort Ward Park?

In April 2011 various city managers and staff were contacted by the Fort Ward Observer and asked about Charles W. Hendryx, former City of Alexandria, VA. Arborist. Research done by the Fort Ward History Workgroup indicated that he was employed by the City of Alexandria Recreation Department and involved in Fort Ward Park's early development. Those contacted were asked to help by providing any or all information, including his work with the park, whether or not he is still living. The following are the responses that were received.

+ I have a request out to staff. However, no person has returned any contact or other information as yet. James B. Spengler, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

+ I can't tell him much for I never knew Mr. Hendryx, I heard good things about him from my tree foreman (now dead) when I first became arborist. There was a stone with his name on it at Fort Ward Park, I don't know if it's still there. Lois Hunt might remember Mr. Hendryx, I can't think of anyone else with a long enough corporate memory. Jennifer Hollings, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

+ Was the memorial created to honor Hendryx? Jackie Cohan, Archives & Records Center.

+ Mr. Hendryx was the City Arborist when Fort Ward first opened. He planned all of the azalea beds, obtained the different types from cuttings from the National Arboretum, the Azalea Gardens in Norfolk (I believe), and prepared an inventory of all of the plantings. I typed it for him, and he had a booklet that was available for handout. There are some slides at Fort Ward of these early beds being installed. He also planned to create other azalea beds throughout the City, and had cuttings propagated for replacements. The one-year old cuttings were then moved to beds in the Nursery (what became the infamous maintenance yard.). Under his direction Fort Ward became an azalea showplace in the spring. Unfortunately he died suddenly and it was decided to create the memorial area in recognition of his work at Fort Ward. It was a beautiful area when it was completed. Several weddings were even held there.

The Memorial Area, like many of the memorial trees planted in the park, were neglected and you can see the results today. I don't know if a copy of the inventory of the beds still exists or not. Wanda Dowell, former employee of the City of Alexandria and Fort Ward Museum.

+ We don't have any other specific information on Chrles Hendryx, and I am also unsure about a "memorial" to him in the park. As Wally [Owen] suggested, maybe a tree was dedicated to him (or a memorial exists somewhere else in the City to him?), but we don't have a record of where that was. RPCA keeps a list of memorial trees, although I don't know how far back that record goes. I would ask John Noelle about this. Susan Cumbey, Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, Office of Historic Alexandria.

+ He was before my time as far as I know. His memorial is on Shorts Homestead land I think. Recreation staff would be only lead. Ask to speak to longest employees or retired people. Also landscape architects in recreation department or city arborist John Noelle. Pam Cressey, Office of HIstoric Alexandria.

+ You have already seen any of the early documents that we have on the park development and we don't have anything else. I wish we did. Mrs. Dowell might have some information. I have never heard of a memorial to Mr. Hendryx but if it was done by recreation in the early days it might not have been brought to our attention. Was it a tree planted in his memory? I think Recreation would have a list of memorial trees if that was the case. Wally Owen, Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site.

+ A 1959 letter was found between Mr. Charles W. Hendryx of the City of Alexandria and Mrs. R.F.S. Starr regarding Fort Ward Park. Evidently Mr. Hendryx, who was the City's Arborist, was asked by Mrs. Starr to provide information relative to the development of Fort Ward Park. This vision was used to developed the City's original plan for Fort Ward Park in 1962.

Mrs. Starr, as many know, was one of the community leaders who advocated for the protection and development of the historical park. Mr. Hendryx's contribution to Alexandria was recognized by the City Beautification Committee and a memorial was created in the park adjacent to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Glenn Eugster, Co-Chair, Fort Ward HIstory Workgroup

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Advisory Group Considers Significant Recommendations for Recreation Use at Fort Ward. November 14, 2012

Advisory Group Considers Significant Recommendations for Recreation Use at Fort Ward

On November 14, 2012, at the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group, Bob Moir and Ripley Forbes shared a “Draft Recreation Chapter, “Recreational Use: Issues and Recommendations” for Fort Ward Historic Park.  The draft report called for:

1. Creation of a natural walkway 
2. Removal of the playground to another area
3. Removal of the cement surrounding the arborist memorial
4. Improvements in the roadway loop
5. Removal of the dog park
6. Commitment of resources to maintenance, 
7. Restoring the gate between the athletic field and passive recreation area, and 
8. Strengthening the picnic procedures.

Mr. Forbes presented the chapter on recreational use of the park. He noted that there is no comprehensive plan for the park; rather it evolved over time in piecemeal fashion. Fort Ward was established to preserve the Civil War fort and formally opened as Fort Ward Historic Park and Museum however over time a playground, dog park, picnic area, arboretum, and soccer and tennis fields/courts were added to the park. This was accomplished in an ad hoc manner. 

The park is the major passive recreation venue for the residents in the west end of Alexandria. After presenting the background and current situation, the authors of the chapter included eight significant recommendations. These recommendations include creation of a natural walkway, removal of the playground to another area, removal of the cement surrounding the arborist memorial, improvements in the roadway loop, removal of the dog park, commitment of resources to maintenance, restoring the gate between the athletic field and passive recreation area, and strengthening the picnic procedures.

Public input will be attained before any changes in the uses/amenities of the park are made. 

Members of the advisory group engaged in a discussion of some of the recommendations. There is a hierarchy of uses of the park, with some uses seen as essential to the mission of the park. The members expressed various opinions regarding the recommendations and raised additional questions such as whether there should be a playground or a dog run in the park at all. The playground is not ADA accessible and in the direct path of run‐off and, at the very least, will need to be relocated.

Members were asked to please send any comments about the report to Mr. Forbes.  Mr. Forbes and Mr. Moir are also members of the City of Alexandria Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee.

Citizen Activist Delves Into History at Fort Ward. West Alexandria Patch 2013

Citizen Activist Delves Into History at Fort Ward Patch.com For Glenn Eugster, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site on Alexandria's West End offers one compelling story after another. The site, located at 3601 West ....

http://westendalexandria.patch.com/articles/citizen-activist-delves-into-history-at-fort-ward

Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group Chair Resigns. March 14, 2013

March 14, 2013

Tom Fulton, Chair of the City-established Fort Ward Historic Park &and Museum Advisory
Group,  submitted his letter of resignation to City of Alexandria, Virginia Mayor Bill Eullie.
Mr. Fulton, a long-time historian,  political activist and park user, has been the chair of the
group since the City Manager established the advisory body in June 2009 in response to
community concerns, illegal park uses and development proposals.   During his time with
the group he conducted research on the park, participated in the Fort Ward History Work
Group, and wrote major sections of the "Recommendations for the Management of Fort
Ward Historical Park" which was completed in January 2011.

As city leaders continue to struggle with storm water runoff, locating family graves and
internal visions for the park, the advisory group has been working to develop a
management plan for the park as a way to protect graves, manage storm water runoff,
recreation use, visitor experience and historic and cultural resources.   Inserted below,
and attached, is Mr. Fulton's letter to the Mayor.  The remaining members of the advisory
group will elect a new chairman.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 14, 2013

Mayor William D. Euille

Room 2300 City Hall

301 King Street

Alexandria, VA   22314

Dear Mayor Euille:

It is with a great deal of thoughtful consideration and deep regret that I have 
decided to resign from the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder 
Advisory Group effective March 31, 2013.

I believe you are to be commended for your continued support of citizen 
involvement in the affairs of the city.  As residents of Alexandria, we are all 
strengthened by continuing to have citizens involved in all aspects of city life.  
I believe these Boards and Commissions are vital to the health of our city and 
to the promise of Democracy in general.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Sincerely,

Tom Fulton

4020 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304-1012

cc:

Laura Durham

Francine Bromberg

Jackie Henderson   

Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group Needs Vacancies Filled. April 8, 2013

Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group Needs Vacancies Filled

April 8, 2013

The advisory group that the Alexandria City Manager created nearly three-years ago continues it's work to implement the recommendations that were made in January 2011. The grou

p members, which are intended to represent various "stakeholder" and community interests, appears to be struggling to sustain their work. Recent meetings have been cancelled, or held without public notice, and nearly one-third of the positions on the advisory group are vacant. Interestingly three-key community positions( Seminary Hill Association, Inc. Citizen-at-large, and Citizen living within 1-mile) are vacant. Two of these positions have been vacant for more than a year. 

Decades ago community interests rallied against proposals for high density development to save this area and create a historic park. As the Recreation Department and the Office of Historic Alexandria assist the group, and a consultant hired by the Recreation Department, to prepare a management plan the need for citizen involvement in this effort is as important as it ever was. Long-standing problems at the park, including lost graves, storm water, illegal development, backlog maintenance, and over use, will never be solved to everyone's satisfaction unless community leaders are at the table and have input into decision-making.

It's time for the City Manager to fill the Advisory Group's vacancies and create some urgency to get the management plan don.

1

Runoff Continues to Baffle Recreation Department at Fort Ward. April 4, 2013

Runoff Continues to Baffle Recreation Department at Fort Ward
Fort Ward Observer April 4, 2013

Part of the time and money being spent at Fort Ward Historic Park is intended to go to solving water runoff problems inside and outside the park. The Advisory Group that the City created to help park managers recommended that the three primary departments who manage Fort Ward work closer together to integrate their actions. Although some progress has been achieved in tackling other problems, the solutions to managing runoff continue to baffle park managers.

As recently as last month the grassed slopes of Fort Ward continued to send storm water downhill toward the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, already eroding stream channels and playgrounds, and adjacent residential homes.

Over two years ago the Director of the Recreation Department James Spengler, in cooperation with the Advisory Group, made changes to the way grassed areas were being maintained in hopes of slowing down water runoff. In a note to an adjacent neighbor Mr. Spengler wrote,

“The mowing policy in the park was changed this spring prior to the mowing season. The main complaints/concerns I considered were park erosion, flooding and other drainage problems (brought by park neighbors). In considering a solution or improvement to those issue the only non-structural approach is management of the natural area - the park grounds. It is a common practice when resolving these issue to "naturalize" areas. This is particularly important in drainage ways as found in Ft. Ward.  I made two presentations to the SAG [Advisory Group], a presentation to the Park Commission and made it a point of a presentation to City Council. The pros and cons of the approach were outlined to each body. I know that some people would not like the look, it would take several season for a meadow to emerge but drainage improvement would be immediate. All of these things have happened. In the end it is what the public wants to see happen to balance esthetics versus drainage problems. The meadows will be mowed three times a year with the next mowing by November 12. Volunteers are collecting seeds from the beneficial prairie plants in this park and other locations as part of our meadow planting program. We will also plant more native grasses each year. This does save money in mowing costs and less environmental pollution. Less negative environmental impact is a policy of the City through the Eco-City initiative”.
(From Jim Spengler, Director Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities September 28, 2010 to Jeff Lane)


Despite the well-intentioned efforts of the Recreation Department to slow down runoff, the grass has been left longer during the dry periods of the year and cut short during the wet periods. Unfortunately water runoff continues to flood and erode graves, further erode stream channels toppling trees and washing soil into storm sewers, and flood adjacent private properties. Further efforts to manage runoff at Fort Ward will require the park managers to work with city hydrologists, as well as consultants, to find ways to plan with nature.       

An assessment of water runoff within Marlboro Estates, Fort Ward Park and the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery

Attached is a copy of this assessment of water runoff within Marlboro Estates, Fort Ward Park and the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery last week.  It was prepared by the City of Alexandria's Dept. of Transportation and Environmental Services.  

City Leaders End the Search for Fort Ward Graves. August 31, 2012

City Leaders End the Search for Fort Ward Graves

Community leaders learned yesterday that the City of Alexandria isn't recommending any money in the proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget to search for the remaining graves within Fort Ward Park. That news is surprising and most disappointing given the City's legal and moral responsibility to find all of the people that were buried in the park, not just the obvious ones. It appears that the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group, the Office of Historic Alexandria, City Manager, Mayor and Council have turned their heads away from those buried in the park and their descendants living within and nearby Alexandria. This decision, which is contrary to what leaders have said during the last six years of discussions, begs the question, why did the City Manager, Mayor and Council members decide to stop the search for graves? 

The City Council is planning to approve the budget in May.

Better Management Coming to Fort Ward in Alexandria

Better Management Coming to Fort Ward in Alexandria Patch.com Alexandria City Council authorized Tuesday the release of $110000 in contingent reserves to fund the completion of a management plan for Fort Ward Park and ...

Alexandria Group Seeks Funding for Fort Ward Graves. Washington Examiner.

Washington Examiner - Alexandria group seeks funding to find Fort ...

www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx?issue...

5 days ago – Alexandria group seeks funding to find Fort Ward's lost graves. By Taylor Holland Examiner Staff Writer tholland@washingtonexaminer.com ...