Fort Ward Park: Comments from the Alexandria Historical Association

March 12, 2009

Ms. Laura Durham

Open Space Coordinator

Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

1108 Jefferson Street

Alexandria, VA 22314 

Dear Ms. Durham:

The Alexandria Historical Association has long been an advocate for researching, understanding and protecting Alexandria’s unique and rich historical past. 

Accordingly, we are most concerned about the numerous unprotected marked and unmarked graves located on land owned by the City and within Fort Ward Park.  This public park is operated collaboratively with your Department and the Office of Historic Alexandria; and it contains the historic Civil war era park, a museum connected with the fortification, a concert amphitheater, and numerous sites for picnicking including large group picnic shelters. 

It appears that after the Fort Ward Civil War era fortifications were abandoned in the mid 1860s, a number of “Freemen” – newly emancipated African Americans - settled at the site.  Over the ensuing years this settlement grew and included a Church, a school, an undetermined number of housing units and an area dedicated to human burials.  Although the church, school, and houses no longer remain, a formal cemetery with headstones, fenced and owned by Oakland Baptist Church, is located on a plot of land that can only be accessed through the park.  Several marked and an undetermined number of unmarked graves (suggested by depressions in the soil) are located outside the fenced Oakland Church cemetery on what is assumed to be City property.  The area immediately adjacent to the cemetery is used by your Department for equipment and materials storage, composting, a small tree nursery, a green house, and a utility building – all of which give the appearance of a light industrial site – a use of the land that seems incompatible with the historical and cultural aspects of the park and the adjoining residential neighborhood. 

The City of Alexandria is nationally noted for protecting and interpreting its rich historical past which reaches back to the Colonial era.  This, of course, includes the military aspects of the American Civil War period as evidenced by the reconstructed, well maintained and interpreted Fort Ward.  This fort is acknowledged to be the best preserved of the entire system of area civil war fortifications and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  At the conclusion of hostilities when “reconstruction” began, there existed a period of City history less well understood and appreciated.  This is particularly true for the African-American communities situated in the western end of the City, particularly near to the Episcopal High School and the Virginia Theological Seminary.

It should be noted that a deep concern for history is reflected in Alexandria’s recently adopted ‘Vision principles’ which is the Council approved guide for setting overall City priorities. These include a vision for the City where:  

• “The history and heritage of different cultures are celebrated.“

• “We preserve and celebrate our historical roots and diverse heritage from the 18th century to today, and residents understand and appreciate the City's history.” 

• “We preserve our historic neighborhoods, homes, and other historic buildings and other historic sites and maintain our distinctive architectural character and design.” 

This vision also recognizes that: 

• “Alexandria's history contributes to the local economy through tourism development.”

• “Open green spaces, trees, streetscapes, public spaces and canopied streets are located throughout our community and are attractive and well-maintained.”

• “Parks, trails and green spaces are incorporated in the urban center and coordinated with nearby neighborhoods. “

Based on this vision, the Alexandria Historical Society recommends the following actions regarding that portion of Fort Ward Park adjacent to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery:

1. Immediately fence off that area of Fort Ward Park where grave markers now exist and where depressions in the soil suggest the existence of unmarked graves.

1. Using available in house resources at the Office of Historic Alexandria, conduct a preliminary historic site analysis. Conduct interviews with persons who may have family and other personal connections with the community that once existed on Fort Ward property.  Investigate City Archives, old newspapers, property records, and other sources for clues about that community.

1. Move the adjacent and more industrial type operations of the Parks and Recreation Department maintenance, parking, storage and composting facility to other locations out of respect for this heritage and human burial area. 

1. Working with Oakland Baptist Church and individuals who have personal connections with and/or knowledge of the community that once occupied this site, develop interpretive signage to educate park visitors to the known history of this “lost” community. 

The City of Alexandria can be justifiably proud of the manner by which they rescued the Freedmen’s Cemetery in the southern end of the City from private ownership, conducted a professional archeological survey of the grave sites, and sought, selected, and funded erection of a memorial. Can the City do less on property it owns and over which it exercises complete control? 

This position was approved by the Alexandria Historical Society Board of Directors on March 10, 2009.  If the Alexandria Historical Society can be of assistance in these endeavors or if you have questions, please feel free to contact me at 703.683.2636.

On behalf of the Alexandria Historical Society Board of Directors:

Robert L. Madison

Vice President

Alexandria Historical Society, Inc. 

Copies:

William D. Euille, Alexandria City Mayor 

Members of Alexandria City Council

James K. Hartmann, Alexandria City Manager 

J. Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria 

Kirk Kincannon, Director, Alexandria Department of Parks and Recreation