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

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

J. Glenn Eugster.  Fort Ward Observer.

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.

• Hi. 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.