Fort Ward Park History Work Group Goals & Objectives Subgroup

Fort Ward Park History Work Group

Goals & Objectives Subgroup

Final Draft for Discussion 12-4-09

Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster, Ellen Stanton, and Kathy Sander

I.  Intent of the Fort Ward Park History Work Group

On June 19, 2009 the Mayor and City Council passed the following resolution which includes the intent of the Fort Ward Park History Work Group.

CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC

FORT WARD PARK AND MUSEUM AREA STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY

GROUP

“In addition to this Ad Hoc Advisory Group, the Office of Historic Alexandria has created a Fort Ward Park History Work Group. The purpose of this Work Group is to:

assist the Office of Historic Alexandria and Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities with the documentation, research and interpretation of cultural and historic resources of Fort Ward Park, including its association with:

Native Americans, 

the Defenses of Washington Civil War fortifications, and 

the post Civil War African American community that existed on the site until it was acquired by the City of Alexandria for park and preservation purposes. 

Anyone with an interest in this subject has been invited to attend and can become a member of this Work Group.

This Work Group's focus is history (including researching the issue of gravesites) and is not charged with the overall Fort Ward Museum Area park usage issues that the Advisory Group would be responsible for reviewing. The Work Group's findings however will inform the Advisory Group in their work“.

II.  Work Group Assignment

Work Group Task #1.  Consolidate/organize the working group's priority tasks as developed at the first meeting into goals and objectives for the group.

  

Goal:  

To assist the Office of Historic Alexandria and Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities with the documentation, research and interpretation of cultural and historic resources of Fort Ward Park, including its association with:

 Native Americans, 

the Defenses of Washington Civil War fortifications, and 

the post Civil War African American community that existed on the site until it was acquired by the City of Alexandria for park and preservation purposes. 

The Native American, Civil War, and African American history of Fort Ward should be given primary consideration in developing the plan for Fort Ward Park.

Objectives:

  

Help the city research the history and culture of the park site and its surrounding area, as well as its relationship to Native Americans, African Americans, and the Civil War.

Engage the citizens of Alexandria in historical and cultural research. 

Orient, and regularly update,  the Ad Hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group about the history of the area, its past use, and relationship to the Civil War, the community and the City of Alexandria. 

Priority Tasks:

1.  Restore creditability with the community

Take down the fence around the maintenance/ nursery yard. (Note:  The workgroup has different views on this task.  One thought is that Lance said that the fence will not be taken down at this time due to the possibility of disturbing resources. It will be taken down when more work has been completed.  Another thought is that Lance said that this decision shouldn’t be made until the Fort Ward Ad Hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group meets.  More discussion is needed.) 

Preserve the integrity of the family members.

Restore graves that have been paved  over and buried

Remove the October 16, 2008 Fort Ward Park Facilities Plan & Recommendations from the City website

2.  Research History and Culture

Talk with families related to the area and park graves that live in Prince William, Loudon, and Fauquier Counties and Gum Springs.

Research graves in the park.

Research graves in the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.

Commemorate the people that lived in the area that is now a park by creating something permanent (i.e. monument, recreated church, or school, etc.) and honoring people sooner (i.e. Note: examples needed).

Recreate a school and name it after Clara Adams.

Research the original intent and purpose of Fort Ward Park.

Research and write a social history of the Fort Ward Community. 

3.  Actively seek the interpretation of the park from African American family descendants. 

4. Improve Interpretation of the Parks History

Connect the park to Seminary, Woods Place, Meade Episcopal Church, Christ Church and Episcopal High School. 

Take a holistic approach to Fort Ward Park that includes preserving and interpreting the history of the natural environment. 

Utilize diverse methods to interpret the history of Ft. Ward Park. (i.e. technology, oral history, TV, photos, maps, signage, buildings, etc.) 

Create a layered landscape of history and interpretation.

Develop some sort of signage in the museum as soon as possible to tell the story (as we know it now) about the African American presence at the park post-Civil War. 

Revise an interpretation panel on African America and Native American history and culture at the Museum by 2001.

5.  Engage the Community in the History of Fort Ward Park

Write and article on the history of the people and the park for a local newspaper.

Advertise in local newspapers for people to help with family histories.

Work Group Task # 2.  Develop recommendations from the history working group to the Ad Hoc Advisory Group committee for discussion.

I suggest that members of the History Work Group have the opportunity to identify and discuss recommendations and reach consensus agreement on which ones should go to the Advisory Group.

DRAFT Summary of the City Council’s Discussions of Fort Ward Park March 13, 2008

DRAFT Summary of the City Council’s Discussions of Fort Ward Park

March 13, 2008

Prepared by Glenn Eugster

On Saturday December 13, 2008 Nancy Jennings, Thad Diley, Tom Fulton and Glenn Eugster presented the Alexandria City Council with statements about the management, use and protection of Fort Ward Park and the park’s impact on Marlboro Estates.  Dennis Carroll was unable to make a statement due to an illness but his written statement was submitted to the Council.

Following the statements by the residents the Council members asked Kirk Kincannon, the City Parks & Recreation Director to respond to the comments.  The following is a summary of selected highlights of the comments made by Mr. Kincannon and the Council members.  It is important to note that the meeting was filmed and may be available on the Government Access Channel (COMCAST Channel 70).

When asked about Fort Ward Park not having a master plan Mr. Kincannon indicated that he thought it probably needed one.  He added that there are 120 parks in Alexandria, VA and none have master plans.

Mayor Eullie suggested that these concerns be discussed further at a City Council work session in January 2009.

Councilman Wilson said he wanted to discuss the enforcement of existing laws and regulations affecting the park.  Mr. Kincannon said that his staff was not law enforcement officers.

Councilman Smedburg said that it was important to come back with recommendations to determine what this park is.  He said you have to set limits for public use and you can’t have 400, or more, people coming to a historic park for a different purpose.

Councilman Gaines said he was concerned about the quality of life.  He wants the work session to address and answer questions about use and management.  He is especially interested in the management of dual uses.  He said that he hopes to find a better way to enforce rules.  He noted the concerns about the exclusion of African American history in the park.  He referenced the work the City has done with Freeman’s Cemetery and suggested that Pam Cressy of the Historic Office/ African American Museum be involved to help resolve issues.

Vice Mayor Pepper said that she was aware that this had been an ongoing issue and that she had met with Marlboro Estates residents and the Seminary Hill Neighborhood Association Board.  Ms. Pepper asked Mr. Kincannon, how is it that the community didn’t know of the City plan for Fort Ward Park.  Mr. Kincannon explained that Judy Noritake of the Parks & Recreation Commission had asked for the document his staff prepared.  He said it was not a master plan.  He also said that the park served more people than just the adjacent landowners and he needed to involve the full scope of the community.  Ms. Pepper replied that there were lots of immediate neighbors in the area.  55 Marlboro Estates homeowners have been involved in these discussions.  This has been an awful experience for them.

Vice Mayor Pepper said that she thought that there were probably many more gravesites in the park.  She wants gravesites commemorated in the park.  She thinks that these areas are an attraction and they would be of interest to historic and cultural tourism interests.

Councilman Krupicka asked the Parks and Recreation Department to outline their process for outreach to communities and clarify where the problems occurred with this effort.  He also asked Mr. Kincannon to prepare a comprehensive list of all the concerns that have been heard.  Mr. Krupicka said that this is all the stuff we have to tackle.

Remarks to the Mayor and City Council on the FY 2012 Budget

Remarks to the Mayor and City Council on the FY 2012 Budget

J. Glenn Eugster, 4022 Ellicott Street, Alexandria, Virginia

I have followed the discussions about Fort Ward Park closely the last four years.  I have read the Fort Ward Advisory Group Report and noted that the members unanimously approved the recommendations and they set priorities for action in the Executive Summary.   I support the report and the priority recommendations that were made.  I urge you to adopt and implement the Fort Ward Park Report by taking the following actions:

1.  Provide FY 2012 funds to continue, if not complete, the historical and archaeological research, for the park.

2.  Provide FY 2012 funds to take short-term, low-cost and low-impact stormwater management measures to stop the runoff from parkland that is desecrating the graves and gravestones of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and other African Americans buried in the park. 

3.  Provide FY 2012 funds to do pre-planning work for the Fort Ward Park Master Plan and Stormwater Plan so that when the historical and archaeological research has been completed these important efforts can be undertaken without further delays.

4.  Appoint an interim commission or advisory group to observe the progress being made by the Departments of Recreation, Transportation & Environmental Services, and the Office of Historic Alexandria to implement the plan recommendations and provide public input, access and information to discussions about these actions.

Why should this effort be funded in the FY 2012 budget?  The park has suffered from bad management decisions due to a lack of basic park planning, competing interests within City government, and a disrespectful attitude on the part of Recreation Department managers and staff toward people in the community.  In some cases these decisions have ignored City and Commonwealth regulations.  In other cases these decisions have desecrated people’s graves and adversely impacted adjacent homeowners.  

The Fort Ward Report, as well as the February 5, 2011 report on Archeological Investigations at Fort Ward Historical Park by the contractor for the City, gives you facts to move forward to solve these long-standing problems.  I urge you to act now that you know.  Please don’t turn your head away from what needs to be done.

These FY 2012 budget items can be included by postponing other less important initiatives. 

Remarks By Frances Colbert Terrell Before the Friends of Local History Collections

 Remarks By

Frances Colbert Terrell

Before the

Friends of Local History Collections

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Good Evening.  I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the African American descendants of Ft Ward and the Seminary Community.  First of all, let me say up front.  I am not an orator.  Since my retirement from the Federal Government 10 years ago, any remarks I’ve given have been infrequent, short and generally before the members of the Oakland Baptist Church.   I’m really nervous so, please, bear with me.  

I must say though that this is a really proud moment for us.  For roughly two centuries the prevalent information, -- stories, photos, movies, TV shows-- exhibited and talked about have shown African Americans in the most negative and heinous of circumstances, as slaves, house negroes, raped, beaten, chased by dogs, hanged, picking cotton, and eating watermelon.  And now thanks to a commemoration of the Civil War and the Union Military Base of Ft Ward, an opportunity has arisen to show them in a more positive light, with dignity and accomplishment.  Who would have thought it!!  We salute our ancestors, for had it not been for them and the Lord on our side, we would not be where we are today.  Our research has shown that our descendants possibly lived in and around Ft Ward even before the Civil War. Certainly that they served in the War as United States Colored Troops in the Defenses of Washington, worked at the Episcopal High school which had been converted to a  Hospital, were teamsters, ambulance drivers, loaded ships, trains, wagons, and played a major role in preserving the Union and ending slavery.  In fact, it has been documented that there was an extensive presence of African American refugees in the area of the Fort and that African American men, women and children worked in support of the Union. 

 Then in 1865, the war ended.  The Union Soldiers left.  African Americans had gained their freedom.   Now what?  Coming out of a war;  after enduring and suffering through centuries of slavery,  through no fault of their own. We certainly did not ask to come to America.  We certainly did not sneak across any borders to get here.  A people who had never known independence in America, who did not get the promised 40 acres and a mule, were left to their own devices.  What to do?  Where to go? Where to live?   Fort Ward had been abandoned, and to them, this was a refuge. 

Through sheer strength of will, determination, fortitude, guts, and against all odds, they fashioned a life here at Ft Ward, an abandoned union fort; then out of necessity, developed an entire viable self sustaining community that’s still very much in existence today.  It’s undergone many changes, but we’re still here.  

Our ancestors, most of them coming from Fauquier County, first appeared in the U.S. Census as living at Fort Ward in 1870.  They were Burr and his wife Harriett Shorts.  Harriett was a widow and had several children.  However, in June 1865, they had a daughter Clara Shorts (Adams) who lived at Ft Ward until 1952.  Next door was Menokin, the home of Cassius F. Lee and his wife Ann Eliza Lee.  Burney McKnight, Harriett’s daughter, is shown as living as a servant in the Cassius Lee household.  Burr Shorts paid for a survey in 1879 for 10 acres of land at the Fort in 1879, obtaining a deed in 1884.  The property was subsequently divided up between family members.  Families residing at the Fort, which is what we called it, consisted of the Shorts, McKnights, Wanzers, Adams, Cravens, Thomas, Caseys, and Terrells.  Families at the Fort established a school that later was converted to a church.  This first school for African Americans in the area of the Seminary was in all likelihood established by the founders of the Oakland Baptist Mission.   That church was later closed and became the home of the Young Family.  From this core group at Fort Ward, and a few others in the area, the entire African American community of Seminary was developed.   That Community extended from the 1000 block of N. Quaker and Johnson’s Lane, which was about 7 feet north of Bishop Lane, across from the locked gate of the Theological Seminary, back to roughly the Chinquapin area, crossing over to King Street where the Chinquapin Rec Center sits now;  then cross over  King to West Braddock Road where the Everly Wheatley  Funeral Home is located, back to the King, Braddock and Quaker intersection.    You’ll love this one.  My grandfather, Douglas Johnson, originally from Fauquier County, purchased his one-acre of  land at 1001 N. Quaker in 1923 from William Ashby (Ft Ward) for the outlandish  price of Twelve Hundred – Fifty Dollars ($1250.00) and he had a 7 year mortgage. Try that now!!!   In fact, some of my family still live on part of  that property today.  My cousin Carol Daniels lives at 1001, my grandfather’s house; I live at 1005, my uncle’s house; and my brother Fred Colbert lives in my parents house at 1009 N. Quaker.

 The historic Oakland Baptist Church, was founded in 1888 as the Oak Hill Baptist Mission in Fairfax.   After acquiring land in 1891, it moved to its current location at 3408 King St, City of Alexandria, in 1895.  Its founders were Clara Adams, William Terrell, J.W. Casey, William Carpenter, Brook Johnson, Maggie Hall, Harriett Shorts, Nancy Shepherd, Daniel Simms and Smith Wanzer.  These latter two gentlemen being my great grandfather and great uncle.   And of course, the church’s cemetery was and is located at Ft Ward on property originally owned by Burr and Harriett Shorts and conveyed to the Church by Clara Adams in 1944. 

The first AA school in the City of Alexandria, located where TC Williams sits now, includes 2 acres of land conveyed by a former slave, Douglas Wood, Sr. in 1927, for the purpose of building a “colored” school called simply the Seminary School.  Douglas Wood was one of the AA families that settled in Seminary in the 1870s and 1880s.  The families worked primarily at the Theological Seminary and Episcopal High School as gardeners, carpenters, cooks, laundresses, and maids.

In the late 1950’s - early 60’s, the City moved the residents out of Ft Ward to establish the Park & Museum, which disrupted the tranquility of those residents at Ft Ward and again in 1962, the City displaced our community once again to build TC Williams High School.  But, we’re still here.

Enough history, this is what we would like to see at the Fort – inclusion of our history at the Park, signage perhaps indicating where the residents of Ft Ward lived and where the school/church was located.  We’ve discussed a model of the community that resided there strategically located, photos in the museum of an African American presence during the war, USCTs, or even as  laborers, the Oakland Baptist Cemetery properly respected,  and AA actors participating in the Civil War re-enactment each year.

We appreciate the efforts and support provided us by the City’s archeology staff, Office of Historic Alexandria, Parks and Recreation and Museum staff.  Additionally, we appreciate the support of citizens from the local area, Dave Cavanaugh, Glenn Eugster and others for their dedication, support and faithfulness.

Thank you.

Alexandria, VA. Living Legend Nomination for J. Glenn Eugster

J. Glenn Eugster

by Jim Ewalt

For nearly eight years J. Glenn Eugster has been the catalyst for a variety of actions addressing issues of concern within the Fort Ward Park (FWP).

Since its establishment in the 1960’s, FWP has been an important community resource.  Located in the city’s west end at 4301 West Braddock Road, it not only is the the best preserved of the system of Union forts built to protect Washington, DC during the American Civil War (1861-1865), but also includes significant historic, environmental, cultural, park and recreation resources for use and enjoyment of the city's residents and visitors.   

Nearly eight years ago Eugster became aware of certain activities within the park that seemed at odds with its purposes.  It housed a noisy maintenance yard and a horticulture center.  Large groups of people were congregating in the park without permits leading to excess noise and security issues.  And, it was discovered that city maintenance staff inadvertently was destroying unmarked graves, cultural sites, and other artifacts associated with “The Fort,” a former community of Alexandria residents -- primarily African Americans -- who lived within the area from the time of the American Civil War until the 1960s.  Nearly eight years ago Eugster became aware of certain act    

“These issues were not just about me,” said Eugster.  “They were about the neighborhood and the city.  And you can't turn your head when you see something inappropriate or that needs to be done.”

Eugster worked with neighborhood and civic associations, as well as leaders from the Oakwood Baptist Church whose congregation includes descendants of The Fort, educating them about the issues and rallying them to seek changes.  By the fall of 2008 the city recognized that, “significant real community interest” was apparent in the operation of the park and in 2009 its Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Department developed a matrix of community and user issues. It then created an Ad Hoc FWP & MA Stakeholder Advisory Group that studied the issues and developed a set of recommendations for the park's use and management.  A successor advisory group continues to meet monthly to consider and make park related recommendations.  The city also has funded archaeological studies, storm water mitigation efforts and development of a park management plan.         

Eugster throughout this period of time, continued his leadership role in bringing attention to the issues of FWP & MA.  He worked with federal, state and local governments and commissions, nonprofit organizations, and the media.  He provided technical assistance and support to the City and Congress to secure more than $800,000 for the park's management and use.  He provided over a thousand hours a year in assistance to the city and nonprofit organizations to do historic, cultural and archaeological research to help improve city decision-making and reduce its costs.  He created awareness of the park and its importance through local and national media, three dedicated internet sites and publication of the Fort Ward Observer newsletter, blog, and Facebook page.     

Today, as a direct result of Eugster's efforts, FWP is a better and more esthetically attractive site.  The maintenance and horticulture facilities are gone.  History that wasn't being acknowledged has been brought to light with the recognition and identification of more than 60 unmarked graves and numerous cultural artifacts.  And, a formalized commitment to a park management process that includes the long range community of interests is in place.    

Yes, there are continuing issues and Eugster continues his work.  In sum though, Eugster already has improved the quality of life within the City of Alexandria.

Documentary Study and Archaeological Evaluation for Fort Ward Historical Park

December 3, 2010

Mr. Dave Cavanaugh

4008 Fort Worth Avenue

Alexandria, Virginia 22304-1713

RE: Documentary Study and Archaeological Evaluation for Fort Ward Historical Park

Dear Mr. Cavanaugh:

This is in response to the concerns expressed in your e-mail of November 5, 2010 regarding the

Fort Ward archaeological project. It is my understanding that you have received the Scope of

Work and deliverables negotiated for the project, which have been posted on the City’s website,

but that you are still awaiting a written justification for the changes from the Request for

Proposals (RFP) dated April 7, 2010. This letter will explain the process used by this office to

justify such changes.

I am sure that you recall that at the August 24, 2010 meeting of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and

Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group (FWSAG) , it was indicated that I would postpone

action on signing a contract for archaeological services at Fort Ward until I had the opportunity

to publicly respond to the issues raised in your letter of the same date addressed to the FWSAG.

It was agreed that a response from the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) would be placed at

the top of the agenda at the next meeting of the FWSAG.

On September 9, 2010, Dr. Pamela Cressey, Director of Alexandria Archaeology, and I did

provide such a public response, lasting nearly two and three quarter hours, resulting in the

postponement of all other agenda items due to lateness of the hour. Unfortunately, you were

apparently unable to attend the September 9 meeting and therefore did not hear the response, nor

the carefully considered questions of the committee that we answered. At the conclusion of our

presentation a guest in attendance, Dr. Esther White, Director of Archaeology at Mount Vernon

Estate and Gardens, reinforced the appropriateness of the first phase of the archaeological project

planned by OHA at the Fort Ward site. At the conclusion of the meeting the FWSAG approved

that recommended that the OHA proceed with negotiations to pursue the contemplated contract

for archaeological field work at the Fort Ward site. All voted FWSAG members present voted in

favor except Adrienne Washington. Soon after we completed our negotiations and signed a

contract with The Ottery Group.

You have raised concerns regarding the discrepancy regarding the work phases discussed in the

RFP and the Scope of Work that was ultimately negotiated, and the initial $40,000 cost of the

work that may grow to $350,000. The RFP process used by the City of Alexandria anticipates a

maximum benefit to the City within the amount of funding that may be available, both currently

and in future phases of the project. In the case of Fort Ward, the documentary study and

archaeological evaluation anticipated phases of the project that would take place now and well

into the future, anticipating that as future funding became available, additional phases of the

project could be initiated. Therefore, the City solicits and receives RFP’s including anticipated

current and future phases of a project, and negotiations begin focused on what can be the

maximum amount of work achieved within the dollar amount available. The final result may or

may not line up exactly with the phases anticipated in the RFP, as the project components are

negotiated between the City and the Contractor to a mutually agreeable result. Ultimately, these

negotiations result in a final Scope of Work and a signed contract, and are made available to the

public after the contract is signed. Although an initial appropriation of funds may not cover all

phases of a project, the initiating department does its best to estimate the ultimate cost of a

project to guide City Council in anticipated future expenses that may be required to continue or

complete a project.

The necessity of archaeological field work at the Fort Ward site has been discussed extensively

over the past several years, particularly in identifying the exact location of subterranean cultural

resources, as well as known and unknown burials within the park. I do not share your view that

the first phase of the planned archaeological survey is a “waste of money” that should be

diverted to document the history and/or to develop an interpretive plan for the park. Rather, it is

the shared opinion for several reasons;

1. The City Council Docket Item # 9 of October 13, 2009 allocating $50,000 for an

archaeology survey at Fort Ward Park must be used for historical and archaeological

research only. Funds may not be utilized for interpretive planning purposes.

2. Confirming the existence of burial sites at key locations within Fort Ward Park for the

FWSAG is a priority for OHA before the end of 2010.

3. Identifying cultural resources and burials sites within the park must be completed

before a Master Plan for the park is developed and future park uses are recommended.

4. The location of cultural resources and burials sites within the park must be

determined to mitigate the impact of future park projects such as drainage or other

infrastructure improvements.

5. The confirmation of cultural resources, burials and/or artifacts within the park will

confirm, enhance, correct or negate the current documentary record of the Fort Ward

property, and influence future planning decisions for the park.

6. An interpretive plan for the park should be developed as a component of the Master

Plan anticipated for Fort Ward Park and not be segmented as an unrelated element of

a park plan.

7. Completing the historical record and inventory is an ongoing process which is

satisfactorily addressed in the first phase of the archaeological project, and is a

continuing priority of the Office of Historic Alexandria and Fort Ward History Work

Group.

8. The archaeological investigation planned for specific areas in Phase I has been

carefully developed based on existing visual, verbal or documentary evidence, and/or

is confirmed by an experimental Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey executed

in 2009.

9. Development of the procedures used for future phases of the Fort Ward

archaeological project will be based on the confirmed success in Phase I of the

archaeological evaluation, of the experimental GPR technology used previously at the

site.

10. The archaeological evaluation planned for Fort Ward Park adheres to the Secretary of

the Interior’s Standards for Archaeological Documentation.

11. The historic research and documentation planned for Fort Ward Park adheres to the

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historical Documentation.

I appreciate the opportunity to make these comments to you, and hope that you find that they

explain OHA’s justification with proceeding with the archaeological evaluation at this time.

Thank you for your interest in the history, preservation and great understanding of Fort Ward

Park. I look forward to continuing to work with you on this effort in the months and years

ahead.

Very truly yours,

J. Lance Mallamo

Director, Office of Historic Alexandria

Fort Ward Park Final Report January 2011 Management Plan Recommendations

Fort Ward Park Final Report January 2011 Recommendations

To be successful, in our view, the Master Plan should incorporate several essential components of planning: including an overall:

1. Resource Inventory and Management Plan; 
2. a Cultural, Historical, and Archaeological Resource Inventory including the African American and Native American presence in the Park; 
3. a formalized Joint Management Plan; 
4. a Citizens Advisory Committee; 
5. an Interpretive Plan; 
6. a Vegetative Management Plan including a plan for the Arboretum; 
7. and a Storm Water Run‐off Mitigation Plan; 
8. Picnic and Event Permitting; 
9. and a better use of Special Use Permits.

Source: Page 39;

Questions:

What information is needed for each of these elements/ tasks/ products?    

What is the schedule for gathering this information?

Are these separate plans/ products?  Or, are they combined and coordinated into one document?

What is the sequence for bringing all this information together?

Thoughts on the future of the Fort Ward Park Maintenance Yard

                                                                    February 3, 2012

Dear Tom,

Thanks for the note with the draft agenda for the February 8, 2012 Advisory Group Meeting, as well as the draft minutes from the meeting in January.  

As you know I had to miss the January meeting to care for a family member.  Unfortunately I will also miss the February 8, 2012 meeting due to a long-standing family commitment.  Although I will miss the discussion on Wednesday evening I am very interested in the topics related to the “future of the maintenance yard” and the “Master Plan planning process”.  I offer the following comments for you and others to consider as you discuss these subjects.

1. Thoughts on the future of the Maintenance Yard:  The Advisory Group’s  thoughts about the future of the maintenance yard should be shaped by the results of the historic, cultural and archaeological inventory, future archaeological research, and other resource studies.  The group’s perspective on the future of this area also needs to take into consideration the relationship of this portion of the park and how it relates to: a) the storm water runoff and restoration of the areas topography; b) additional graves and structures that may be present in the area; and c) the adjacent property of the Oakland Baptist Church; d) the adjacent properties of those living in Marlboro Estates; and e) the relationship of this part of the park to other areas within the Historic Park.

It doesn’t seem to make sense to spend a great deal of time talking about the future of this area until the work of Dept. of Transportation & Environmental Services and the Office of Historic Alexandria has been completed.  A “spot-zoning” approach to developing the Master Plan for Fort Ward Park & Museum seems to be taking the group off-focus.  The purpose of the plan is to make sure areas and uses are appropriate and fit.  A piece-meal approach was used in the past to designate park uses and it didn’t work.

2. Question:  Should the Group hire a Consultant to help guide it through a Master Plan planning Process?   I was surprised to see this question on the agenda.  Since there is no proposal with this question I would hope that this part of the agenda will be for discussion, rather than to decide on an answer to the question.   

I’m not sure we as a group are ready to make an informed decision about the best way to go through the Master Planning process.  It seems to me that we have talked about several ways to prepare a master plan including the possible UVA and VA Tech sources of assistance that I presented to the group in December.  At that same meeting you introduced the idea of a “CItizen’s Master Plan”.  Each of these ideas may be a viable alternative and they should be considered separately or in some type of combination.

Perhaps it would make sense to have a  sub-group develop a concept for each of these alternatives to bring back to the Advisory Group for a more informed decision at the March or April meeting.  Each option could be one-page and include: who; what; when; where; how-type information.  

The idea of jumping ahead to hire a consultant now will: a) prove to be more costly to the City; b) duplicate the knowledge and skills that we have within and available to the Advisory Group; c) move the planning process away from Advisory Group and the public,  and into the contractual confinement of City government.  I urge you to keep the focus that you discussed at the 2011 meetings and not be side-tracked by well-intentioned ideas from City government managers.

Finally, although this meeting notice meets the minimum requirements of Virginia law, it hardly provides the public with adequate notice to stay informed and engaged in Fort Ward Park & Museum.  If this effort is to result in a “Citizen’s Master Plan” that is broadly supported it needs to be more open and transparent.  I urge you to consider adopting a deadline of at least ten (10) work days for public notice of the meeting, including the draft agenda.

Again, I wish I could be with the group on the 8th.   Thanks.

Sincerely,

Glenn

J. Glenn Eugster

Vice Chair, Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group

1. 
   

Fort Ward's Azaleas

Fort Ward's Azaleas

If you have visited Fort Ward Park recently you probably noticed the arrival of the blooms on the Azaleas.  The arrival of the Azaleas in Fort Ward is one of the many celebrations of Spring in Alexandria and it is no coincidence that it happens in the historic park.

In 1959 when City of Alexandria and community leaders were working together to create Fort Ward Historic Park Mrs. R.F.S. Starr and City Arborist Charles Hendryx collaborated on ideas for the development of the park.  In a letter to Mrs. Starr Mr. Hendryx  suggested that a portion of the park be planted with Azaleas and other flowering trees and shrubs as a way to benefit the business life of the City because of the visitors it would bring.  On May 11 he wrote, “The local Kiwanis Club has indicated a desire to have some sort of festival in Alexandria to bring visitors to the City.  It would be possible to use the Azalea planting portion of the park as the basis for an Azalea Festival”.

Over time, despite designation of the park as the City’s Arboretum, the maintenance of the Azalea planting has been minimal due to budget constraints and, or management ambivalence.  Despite the neglect Fort Ward’s Azaleas still attract visitors with splashes of spectacular color and form.

The ongoing work of the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group is an opportunity to examine the original vision of the park and how the Azaleas plantings can be restored.  The Museum’s Library is named after Mrs. Starr and a monument is dedicated to Mr. Hendryx in the park for their efforts to create and develop Fort Ward Park.

City Action and Engaging the Public at Fort Ward

City Action and Engaging the Public

March 8, 2012

Recent correspondence about storm water and the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery by Rich Baier, Director of the City of Alexandria’s Department of Transportation & Environmental Services, indicate that decisions about Fort Ward Park are viewed as the purview of the city.   However well intentioned, the tradition has been to make decisions in and around Fort Ward without public input, and in some cases without public permits.  Although residents, community leaders, elected and government officials, and elected officials understand the importance of working with communities, many of the past actions have shown a disregard to the historical and cultural artifacts of the park, adjacent homeowners, and descendants of those who lived within, and nearby, the Fort and are buried there. Much is to be gained if the city will embrace a community-based approach to park planning and decision-making. Sometimes the roadmap for changing the way the local governments and residents work together needs to be revised.

As the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group members and city managers continue to walk toward the foot-hills of a serious discussion of current and future uses of Fort Ward Park community leaders hope that the group will not lose sight of the need for the City of Alexandria to be a good neighbor to its residents. The concerns and issues that have developed at Fort Ward Park are because the city leaders disrespected adjacent homeowners and residents whose families are buried in the park and the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Inside and outside the park people matter. Some of Alexandria’s government employees and various advisory commission members need to use the ongoing work at the park to become better neighbors as

they work to serve the public.

The Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society, Inc. Fact Sheet

The Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society

The Fort Ward and Seminary 

African American Descendants Society, Inc.

May 2011

As a result of 2010 discussions with the Fort Ward Park Advisory Group and History Work Group, and the Oakland Baptist Church, members of the Ft. Ward and Seminary African American descendant families decided to form a private corporation in Virginia to gather information to help the City of Alexandria and the Church with work in the park and the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. The purpose of the Society is to:

We describe, interpret, protect and celebrate the living legacy of African Americans who contributed to the defenses of Washington, D.C. at Fort Ward in an effort to win their own freedom which has led to a more perfect Union.

The primary goal is to share the history of African Americans in order to describe the role they played and the contributions they made during the Civil War at Fort Ward and in helping to create the Seminary community. African Americans were crucial to the war effort; and that the war is best understood not just as a military phenomenon, but as a social and political one as well. 

The hope is to assist the public with researching and ultimately gaining pride in connecting with their ancestor's personal story and their fight to make America a better country through their service. 

The Society members and partner organizations expect to conduct, perform, and undertake any of the following activities:

* To conduct oral histories involving families living near the historic Oakland Baptist Church and historic Fort Ward in Alexandria, Virginia.

* To conduct local research on the people and events that shaped the community near the Virginia Theological Seminary during and after the Civil War.

* To locate and ensure protection of artifacts and memorabilia used in exhibits. 

* To produce and present, independently or in concert with the City of Alexandria, other organizations or individuals, pamphlets brochures and theatrical productions dramatizing the African American experience before, during and after the Civil War period.

* To assist the City of Alexandria in creating and implementing an interpretation plan for the Fort Ward Museum that recognizes the importance of African Americans before, during and after the Civil War. 

* To assist the City of Alexandria in producing theatrical presentations that dramatizes the African American experience in a thoughtful and meaningful way.

* To solicit gifts and donations from private individuals, businesses, foundations, and governmental entities in support of one or more of the purposes or activities of the Corporation. 

* To collect fees: from admission to performances, from lectures, and workshops; and to do these and all other legal things necessary to carry out and fulfill the stated purposes of the Corporation. 

* To apply for designation on the National Register of Historic Places for the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.

* To redesign and replace the gate and fence to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.

* To secure funds for a bench or benches for the cemetery and other family grave sites in Fort Ward Park.

* To secure private funds for a high school art project.

For Further Information:  To learn more about the Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society contact the following members of the Steering Committee, Post Office Box or Face Book Page.

Adrienne Washington, President

"awashdiva" awashdiva@aol.com; 

Fran Terrell

"fterrell56" <fterrell56@msn.com>;

Joyce Sanchez

"raymondsanchez" <raymondsanchez@msn.com>; 

Gerald. A. Wanzer

"gerald wanzer" <grldwanzer@yahoo.com>; 

Lena Rainey

"Lena Rainey" <lenarainey@hotmail.com>;

J. Glenn Eugster

"glenn eugster" <glenn_eugster@comcast.net>

The Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society, Inc., P.O. Box 16014, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. 

For more information:  See the Facebook Page about The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society. 

The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society ...

Welcome to a Facebook Page about The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society. Join Facebook to start connecting with The Ft. Ward and ...

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ft-Ward.../132725506752080 - Cached

FORT WARD HISTORY WORK GROUP

TALKING POINTS--J. GLENN EUGSTER

JUNE 2, 2012

CO-CHAIR OF THE FORT WARD HISTORY WORK GROUP AND THIS IS A MEETING OF THE FORT WARD HISTORY WORK GROUP.

WORK GROUP CREATED THROUGH A CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION.

IN SEPTEMBER 2009 The Office of Historic Alexandria is forming a workgroup to help document the historic and cultural resources of the Fort Ward site, and in particular, the African American community which once existed there. 

The purpose of the workgroup is to assist with research and documentation of the historic site with a specific focus on the heritage of the African American community, known as the Fort, that existed following the Civil War until the mid-20^th century when the City of Alexandria acquired the property to preserve the Union fort. 

The information gathered by the workgroup and staff will be used to help interpret and protect the Fort’s cultural and historic resources.

DEFINITION:  “a chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes”. 

WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT?  IN AMERICA IT IS WHATEVER THE PUBLIC SAYS IT IS.

THE CREATION OF THE HISTORY WORK GROUP CAN AS THE RESULT OF THE CITY’S DECISION MAKING PROCESS.  IN THE 1960’S, 70’S  MASTER PLANS WERE DONE FOR THE PARK WITHOUT HISTORICAL RESEARCH OR COMMUNITY INPUT.  SOME OF THE MISTAKES WERE WELL INTENTIONED ERRORS BASED ON A LACK OF TIME, INFORMATION AND EXPERTISE.   SOME IN THE CITY HAVE SAID “WE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE GRAVES” OR “WE DIDN’T THINK ANYONE CARED.

ERRORS IN DECISION-MAKING SURFACED IN 2008 WHEN A HAM-FISTED PLAN PREPARED IN THE COVER OF DARKNESS BY THE DEPT. OF RECREATION SURFACED.  THE PLAN SHOWS A DISREGARD FOR HISTORIC INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY VALUES.

IT WAS AROUND THAT TIME THAT VARIOUS COMMUNITY AND CHURCH LEADERS CAME TOGETHER, EVENTUALLY WITH THE CITY’S BLESSING AND ASSISTANCE, TO FORM A COLLABORATIVE FORT WARD HISTORY WORK GROUP.  [ WOULD ANY MEMBERS OF THE WORK GROUP HERE TODAY PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED]  THE GROUP  HAS:  

1. COLLECTED INFORMATION ON THE CREATION OF FORT WARD PARK;
2. RESEARCHED OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND THAT WAS ACQUIRED FOR THE PARK;
3. COLLECTED CENSUS INFORMATION ON THE PEOPLE  WHO WERE LIVING  IN FORT WARD;
4. CONDUCTED ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS WITH FORMER FORT WARD RESIDENTS AND, OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS;
5. RESEARCHED THE DAVIS & RUFFNER LAND RECORD COLLECTION FOR REAL PROPERTY CHAIN OF TITLE AND TRANSFER INFORMATION;
6. ASSISTED THE CITY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN INTERPRETIVE SIGNS;
7. ASSISTED THE CITY, AND THEIR CONSULTANTS, DEVELOP A HISTORICAL RESOURCES INVENTORY OF THE PARK; 
8. ENCOURAGED CITIZEN AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT IN PARK DECISIONS; AND
9. CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON THE FORT WARD’S LOST GRAVES.

THIS, AND OTHER INFORMATION, IS BEING PROVIDED TO THE OHA, THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION & ENVIRONMENT TO HELP THE CITY MAKE SURE THAT FUTURE PARK DECISIONS, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN, WILL HELP TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF FORT WHILE MAKING THIS AREA AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR RECREATION.

THE WORK GROUP MEETS THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, EXCEPT AUGUST, AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN THE CITY.  MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  THIS GROUP IS A WAY TO MAKE SURE ALL THE FACTS ABOUT OUR HISTORY ARE RECOGNIZED AND THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS, CITY MANAGERS, AND CITIZENS APPOINTED BY THE CITY KNOW HOW MUCH WE CARE ABOUT  FORT WARD AND THE SEMINARY AREA.