Fort Ward History Work Group May 1, 2010

Fort Ward History Work Group Meeting
May 1, 2010
DRAFT MEETING SUMMARY
Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster

Attendees: Audrey Davis, Susan Cumbey, Lance Mallamo, Chris Morley, Chuck Ziegler, Elaine Tamanini, Glenn Eugster, Adrienne Washington, Dave Cavanaugh, Wally Owen

The meeting began with a continuation of the discussion of the various interests that had been expressed at the last meeting and in correspondence to OHA. Earlier a number of work group members expressed concern about the African American cell-phone tour and the way it was being developed by the city. Members suggested that the effort would be more useful if time and money was invested in a museum exhibit on African Americans at Fort Ward and Seminary.

Susan Cumbey commented that one challenge for a museum exhibit is how to deal with limited space. She noted that a large scale display was meant to be an outdoor diorama. There are 200 years of African American history in Alexandria.

Susan noted that the Museum staff had prepared a U.S. Colored Troops brochure using a NEH grant and it is on the city‘s website as well as in the Museum. She added that the website has good African American information and that she wants to revise the site to integrate African American history. There is a “Special Topics” on the web-page for the brochure.

Adrienne Washington said that no one should have to drill to find this information. She urged the OHA staff make the African American information more incorporated and more inclusive in the website. She added that she hoped that the panel in the main level of the Museum would be upgraded.

Adrienne mentioned that the Seminary Civic Association is creating a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization called the Fort Ward and Seminary African-American Descendants Group. She noted that six branches of the original families who lived on the land that is now Fort Ward Park continue to live within the community. The group wants to have the history of the park show that African-Americans participated in their own freedom.

Adrienne noted that what is lost in existing historical materials is recognition of the Contraband Act and that people were coming to the Fort and living in a nether land. They contributed labor, fought in the Civil War, and assisted at the Seminary. Their contribution was critical to helping the Union win the war. People were here as salves. They were working. Three people fought in the war. They participated in reconstruction. And, people are still here!

Adrienne stressed that “We can show living history”. We need to connect the two histories and honor our ancestors. She urged OHA no to just do this on the website. “We need something permanent”.

Dave Cavanaugh urged the group not to get caught in the interpretation trap. He said that we could do a number of things. It’s important to get something done, get something started. Over time we will see something clearer.

Adrienne noted the example of the Freedman’s story at the proposed memorial and added that people weren’t passive. She urged the group to bring Tracey from the Freedman’s effort to speak with this group.

Wally Owen noted that where the Freedman’s story ends at the Memorial it picks-up here at Fort Ward. Perhaps we can jump from Freedman’s to the U.S. Colored troops. He asked the group, “How can I tell the African-American and the Fort Ward Park story together? We have fragments of information”.

Susan added that the story lines could be easily incorporated into the revised Fort Ward park exhibit. Wally noted that the staff from the Smithsonian Institution urged the Museum staff to think differently and consider the concept of the forts being bastions of freedom.

Adrienne mentioned that the Fort Ward Civil War interests could hold a joint meeting with the African-American Descendants Group. She noted that this area could be a “money-maker” if the site is put on the Southern Freedom Trail.

Dave Cavanaugh asked, “Does the City value our [work group] views?” He feels that we are often told what we need to know rather than being relied on for the talent that we have. Wally replied that we need to know what the history is. Susan added that the Museum staff values the work being done and is waiting for hard-core data. She added that they have put the exhibit revisions on hold.

Adrienne said that she would like to have an exhibit on the U.S. Colored Troops put up as soon as possible. She hoped that the city would change the exhibit from a “lily-white story”. Wally commented that the story could include African-American empowerment in building the defenses of Washington and then go to the U.S. Colored Troops. Adrienne urged Wally and Susan to do a panel on the U.S. Colored Troops as soon as possible.

Dave noted that a story on William Wood, a member of the Colored Troops, could be included. He added that Douglas Wood still lives on Quaker Lane and is an Assistant Principal of Hammond High School. Adrienne added that there are records on one of her relatives, James Montgomery Peters, and his musket is a Manassas National Historic Battlefield.

Elaine Tamanini, formerly a volunteer at the Office of Archaeology, asked the group whether any research has been done on the Battle of Malvern Hill. She noted that as a child she and others found what appeared to be Civil War bullets and Native American arrowheads around the Malvern Hill Mansion.

Dave noted that another source of information is “Wives of Different Times”. He said that the history of Bishop Johns, Cooper Dawson, and the Hoff cottage, has been told.

Wally said that the exhibit will be developed but it will initially be small. Susan added that Adrienne would be consulted in its design.

Adrienne said that this Fort Ward Park effort had initially started out with tension. Now Lance Mallamo and James Spengler seemed more willing to participate and not put people in cross-hairs.

Lance Mallamo said that, “Mistakes [at Fort Ward Park] were made in the past. Promises made by former Recreation Department Director Kirk Kincannon were not delivered on”. He added that Fort Ward Park was not in the budget. The results of the public meetings indicated that people wanted more interpretation. He added that OHA has never done a workgroup like this one before but it has been a phenomenal success.

Lance added that he doesn’t think we are ready to tell the story. He said that he would be willing to do an overall panel but we have no money. He added that the funds from the National Trust and the National Park Service can only be used for certain types of work and that money for a Museum exhibit was not available. He added that more money for archaeology was likely.
Chuck Ziegler noted that the city’s budget shortfall was likely to last five years. Susan added that there is no money for printing.

Lance told the group that he thought the History Work Group was a model for other areas.

The group’s discussion focused on possible tasks for Fort Ward Museum and Park. The tasks that were suggested and discussed include:

1. A Museum exhibit on African-Americans.
2. Interpretive signs using National Trust grant money.
3. A brochure or pamphlet with a map.
4. Itineraries for visitors.
5. Articles on African-American history.
6. Completion of the Fort Ward Historical and Cultural Inventory.

There was discussion and apparent agreement on these tasks as well as the need for a near-term and longer-term strategy. The near-term strategy would focus on low or no-cost changes and be done in tandem with the History Work Group. Longer-term changes would be driven by the Fort Ward Park Ad-Hoc Advisory Group.

The discussion continued with participants suggesting other ideas for consideration. Lance suggested a model of the park outside. Wally said that the video needs to be redone. Dave urged the group to tap expertise from Smithsonian. Lance mentioned the idea of identifying, protecting and interpreting “Witness trees” in the park. He added that there was a need to do a Historic Landscape Survey and a Natural Resource Inventory.

Following this discussion the meeting was adjourned.

Fort Ward History Work Group July 10, 2010

Fort Ward History Work Group July 10, 2010 Meeting Summary

Attendees: Lance Mallamo, Susan Cumbey, Wally Owen, Tom Fulton, Dave Cavanaugh, Elizabeth _____, Adrienne Washington, Neil Vaz, Chuck Ziegler, Glenn Eugster, Fran Terrell.

On July 10, 2010 the Fort Ward History Work Group met to continue their research and assistance to the Office of Historic Alexandria, the Fort Ward Park Advisory Group and the City of Alexandria.

Pam Cressey sent the group a draft agenda prior to the meeting.

Tom Fulton began the discussion by suggesting that members of the group consider ways to engage the African American community in the research. “Perhaps you could create a genealogy club to raise awareness in the Woods Place area to share information and pool resources”. He suggested that the group could meet once or twice a month to pool resources. Tom indicated that he wanted to raise awareness in the Woods Place area and have people bring information into the effort in a systematic way.

Adrienne Washington of the Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society mentioned to the group that she and a steering committee have created a non-profit organization to encourage people to share information.

Ms. Washington, who is a writer and historic researcher, handed out a paper she wrote entitled, “What Does “The Fort” and Seminary” Mean to Us?

Ms. Washington mentioned that the Society has a Facebook page and she said, “We have a lot of interest. It’s not just a few key people. We want our story told and we want to frame our story accurately. This area was a self-sufficient community that has sustained us for more than 100 years”. “We want the final say, about how this story is told, to be with us. We want ownership of our information respected and kept in tact.

Tom Fulton indicated that he is not a member of Ms. Washington’s community and it is their story.

Anyone who wants to be involved is welcome. We want to be respected as a point of first reference. Eventually we are going to tell the story”, said Ms. Washington.

Ms. Washington added, “We should have done the overview interpretive sign first and my paper is the overview. We want our story to be part of the Civil War story and how our community emulated out from this land and down the hill. Our contribution is of equal importance and we have to recognize qualitative as well as quantitative information“, said Ms. Washington.

Group members shared their thoughts about the way their work was being used, or not used, by the City and how decisions would be made by the Office of Historic Alexandria.

Dave Cavanaugh said that he feels as if he is an unpaid member of Pam Cressey’s staff. “There is not enough effort on history, it’s all on archaeology”, said Cavanaugh. He said that, “The History Work Group Members need to be intimately involved in the process and he wants them to be involved in how the city uses the information he contributes. I want to be involved in the process to develop the signs“.

Lance Mallamo indicated, “Anything that goes to Neil is draft. The information we use needs to be factual. He added, “We should show how the land changed over-time. My intent is to make this collaborative”.

Dave Cavanaugh replied, “People have not been involved”.

Lance Mallamo noted that, “We have strict deadlines. This is a reimbursable account and he has to overspend his budget and then be reimbursed by the National Trust. The deadline for completion of the grant is July 1, 2011. The work needs to be completed 45 days prior to that date. We will prepare text for eight signs.

Adrienne Washington asked if eight signs wasn’t a steep assignment for Neil Vaz. Mr. Mallamo replied that it was doable based on a similar experience in Del Ray. We expect to rely on a fabricator to do the actual signs.

Ms. Washington said, “The last meeting was frustrating. What information is going to be used? There has been a disagreement over the process. Mr. Mallamo replied that the grant was a teaching grant. Dave Cavanaugh added, “The Work Group met and prepared a draft proposal. The draft wasn’t used and Pam Cressey made a proposal and identified tasks for the group”.

Fran Terrell mentioned that she was Neil’s contact for the first sign. Neil added, “Pam outlined the proposal with parameters and rules”.
Glenn Eugster said, “The city is used to working with contractors and the community wants a partnership”.

“We have tried to step back and we are at the place we are because of everything that has happened before. Neil Vaz has been hired [using the National Trust grant] and we have to respect that. It is going to be done one way or the other. The members of the History Workgroup will get to review the draft signs and the City is not chairing this work group. The city is not chairing this work group. I said that before“, said Mallamo.

Adrienne Washington reminded the group members that earlier she had suggested an information sharing meeting and it would be open to anyone.

Susan Cumbey the Director of the Fort Ward Museum said, “The group was started informally. Perhaps now someone should be charged by the community to lead the work group”.

In reply to Ms. Cumbey’s comments Ms. Washington suggested that Glenn Eugster serve as the Chair or the coordinator of the group. Given that some of the work group members were not at the meeting Mr. Eugster suggested that he “serve as staff to the group for the next meeting”.

The group’s discussion of the signs resumed and Wally Owen of the Museum said, “The signs are hors d'oeuvres to stimulate the public’s appetite for more information about the history of the community”. Susan Cumbey added, “Interpretive signs are a certain type of product”.

“Reasonable consensus will occur and draft’s of each sign will be shared with the group. Don’t talk about the trash cans any more, talk about history”, said Owen.

Mr. Mallamo said, “We have never had a work group. Our job is to present what is accurate. You have far outperformed what we expected. I would love to see the group take off”.

Susan Cumbey assured the group that, “The end-product that Neil Vaz produces is not the final result”.

The group agreed that the next meeting would be on August 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. At that time the first draft for six of the signs will be presented for review by the group.

The discussion then focused on the design of the text for the sign related to the Oakland Baptist Church and Cemetery. Ms. Washington asked about the church-state separation issue. Tom Fulton said that we need to keep church and state separate but we should be able to place the sign next to the cemetery.

Mr. Mallamo noted that he expects to be able to share a first draft of six of the signs at the next meeting. Ms. Washington wondered whether there were to be six or eight signs. Lance replied that funding will be for six. He said that his office has also received a $75,000 grant and some of these funds can be used for Civil War interpretation.

Susan Cumbey suggested that perhaps there could be some type of memorial area.

Mr. Mallamo said, “The placement of the signs is very important. There has been concern expressed already by a member of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission about having too many signs in the park. He encouraged the group “to bring a vision, interpretive plan back to the Fort Ward Park Advisory Group“.

Ms. Washington raised her concerns about the issue of African American families arriving after the Civil War. “The signs keep saying after--not during or before”. Lance replied, “That may be. Perhaps we can use some word-smithing”. He also noted that the areas annexation to the city and District of Columbia boundary needs to be mentioned.

Ms. Washington added, “There are excerpts of research to support African American occupation in the area. Maybe even slave quarters”. Wally Owen replied, “Noting that there were slave quarters in the park is a stretch. People, slaved and freed, lived in this area before the Civil War


Mr. Mallamo briefed the group on the status of funding for Fort Ward Park history, protection and interpretation.

Elizabeth Drembus, a historical researcher, shared information with the group about interpretation and cemetery preservation at the Drayton House in South Carolina including a brochure, a friends group, a bench funded by the Toni Morrison Society, and tours.

Tom Fulton offered to walk with the group at to look at an area in the park that he believes is the site of the Shorts’ home.