Who is Krystyn Moon?
By J. Glenn Eugster
Fort Ward Observer
Last year, under the cover of darkness, Lance Mallamo, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria entered into a contract with Krystyn Moon of the University of Mary Washington to do a study of the Fort Ward African American Community. Mr. Mallamo and Ms. Moon didn't attempt to work with the Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society, Inc. and as a result this recent City of Alexandria effort further erodes the trust between the African American community and the public agency serving them.
According to reports from Wednesday nights Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group Meeting Ms. Moon attempted to contact family members. She did however contact other "local historians" for information about people who lived on what is now Fort Ward Park. Leaders of the Descendant's Society and the Fort Ward History Work Group were not contacted by Ms. Moon, Mr. Mallamo, or his staff about the report or the information the city is seeking.
Mr. Mallamo's oversight of the African American community is especially disturbing since he has told members of the Descendant's Society, Inc., the Seminary Civic Association, and others that, "This is your story".
The Descendant's Society, Inc. appealed to Mayor Euille asking for an opportunity to review Ms. Moon's report before it is released and incorporated into the draft Fort Ward Park & Museum Management Plan. In response Mr. Mallamo has made copies of the draft report available to the descendant family members for review and comment.
Wednesday's advisory group meeting discussion also revealed that Ms. Moon may continue to play a role in the interpretive planning for Fort Ward Park and the Fort Ward community. For nearly two-years leaders of the Descendant’s Society, Inc. attempted unsuccessfully to enter into an agreement to collaborate with the City of Alexandria to help OHA staff gather accurate information about the Fort Ward community.
Attached is a copy of Ms. Moon's resume which includes Alexandria and African American research projects.
