Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Unknown Grave Sites. Fort Ward Observer. April 19, 2012.

Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Unknown Grave Sites

April 19, 2012

As the City of Alexandria acquired private residential lands for the creation and development of Fort Ward Park the city’s officials took various actions to prepare the area for preservation and public use.  Research conducted by members of the Fort Ward History Work Group and the Ft. Ward & Seminary African American Descendants Society has uncovered public information about possible grave areas within the Fort site. 

For example, on October 3, 1960, while the E. G. Heatwole Alexandria’s City Manager was discussing development plans for Fort Ward Park with the Directors of Public Works, Planning, and his assistant Eugene L. Barnwell,  City Public Works Director P.B. Hall reported that a new topographic map of the Fort was completed and it included a grave plot 40’ X 50’.  During the discussion Mr. Hall suggested that this be referred to the City Attorney for his opinion and recommendation.  

Following the discussion on October 7, 1960 the City Manager wrote a letter to City Attorney V. Floyd Williams about the “Cemetery Plot within bounds of Fort Ward”.  The letter indicates that the City’s Public Works Director P.B. Hall reported that “there are several graves located within the Fort site. It is not believed that they have any relationship with activities of Fort Ward during 1861-65.  Also it is questioned as to whether there are bodies still buried there”.   

The letter continues, “If possible, we would like to have the area cleared.  Would you please advise me as to what action should be taken by the City to accomplish this?”

In an effort to find out what actions were taken, and where possible graves may be, members of the Fort Ward History Work Group made a request for written information related to these discussions under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.  In January 2012 staff from the Office of the City Attorney wrote that “the City finds no records” of these discussions or correspondence. Community leaders as well as the family members of those who may be involved continue to hope that the archaeological research that is now underway will answer questions about the lost graves of Fort Ward.

Outstanding Community Research for Historical Research at Fort Ward by Kathleen Pepper. October 6, 2011

October 6, 2011

Mr. Glenn Eugster

Fort Ward History Group

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304

Dear Mr. Eugster,

I am pleased to notify you that the Fort Ward History Group (FWHG) has been selected as one of the recipients of the Ben Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award for 2011. Your group has been selected for Outstanding Community Research for historical research at Fort Ward.

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission established the Bernard “Ben” Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award, in 2007, to recognize partners who demonstrate high-quality work, innovation, commitment or extraordinary efforts in conducting and documenting research and advancing public appreciation and advocacy for archaeology and history. In recognition of the FWHG’s tremendous effort in conducting research on the history of Fort Ward, both as individual members and as a collective group.

Currently, it is planned that the Mayor and City Council will present the award to you and two other recipients at the Alexandria City Council meeting on October 25, 2011, at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 301 King Street, 2^nd floor. The actual award time will be shortly after 7:00 PM. If there is a change to this date, we will notify you. Please let us know if you will attend by calling 703-746-4399.

I want to thank you for the unique contributions you have made to Alexandria’s heritage. The repository of historical information about Fort Ward, along with the knowledge acquired by the Group’s members have greatly aided in the archaeological study and preservation of Fort Ward. I hope you, other members of the Fort Ward History Group, as well as your family and friends will attend the awards ceremony in which you will not only receive the distinctive Brenman Award, but will also receive a proclamation signed by Mayor William Euille to commemorate your accomplishment. I look forward to seeing you at the City Council presentation.

Best regards,

Kathleen Pepper

Chair

Alexandria Archaeological Commission

jeb

Fort Ward Drainage Improvements. Fort Ward Observer

Fort Ward Drainage Improvements

City workers from the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services began storm water improvements today to the intermittent stream channel that runs through Fort Ward Park. The stream, which drains areas of Episcopal High School, Fort Ward Park and Marlboro Estates, periodically causes ponding and flooding on park and private homeowner properties. City workers excavated years of silt, from soil erosion, as well as organic matter from around the base of the storm water sewer. Workers were surprised to see that there is a lower opening to the sewer that was completed buried. The work will continue today and tomorrow and will include adding rip-rap in front of the sewer, regrading the side slopes of the ravine, and seeding the overturned soil.

City Continues Interim Fort Ward Storm Water Improvements. Fort Ward Observer

City Continues Interim Storm Water Improvements 

Yesterday workers from the City's Department of Transportation & Environmental Services re-routed a portion of the interim Fort Ward Park storm water management system to try to divert water from the park and Marlboro Estates away from the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Park storm water damage to cemetery graves and gravestones continues to be a concern to community and Oakland Baptist Church officials. The new pipeline appears to take water from the park and several Marlboro Estates contributing homeowners, including Tom Fulton, Chair of the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group, and channel it through an above-ground pipe along the cemetery fence. The pipe now goes through "The Old Grave Yard" and discharges the water in front of the entrance to the cemetery.

Fort Ward Park Azaleas. Fort Ward Observer

Fort Ward 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.

Runoff Entering the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Fort Ward Observer

Runoff Entering the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery

One of the storm water areas that community leaders asked CIty officials for help with, starting in 2010, was the drainage swale within Fort Ward Park just above the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Meetings were held with staff from the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services, Councilwoman Hughes and Vice Mayor Donley.

At meetings with City officials homeowners and church officials expressed concern about the changes that were made to the topography of the park when the City decided to create a maintenance yard and solid waste transfer station. While meeting with Vice Mayor Donley homeowners and church officials offered to cooperatively partner with the City to correct the mistakes of the past which have forced water into the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and the yards of those who live in Marlboro Estates. Of specific concern was the drainage swale that causes water to flow across park land and into the cemetery.

The City Council provided funds in 2011 to the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services to develop interim measures to better manage park storm water. The proposal presented to the City Council and the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Council, which was funded, included interim work to be done on this area.

Although a variety of drains were installed in 2011 to capture some of the storm water and move it away from the cemetery no work has been done on the drainage swale along the Marlboro Estates boundary. In fact, Rich Baier, Director of Transportation & Environmental Services has refused to pursue interim solutions to this problem despite pleas from church officials. Rather than follow-through on the action plan that the City funded Mr. Baier has instead singled-out specific homeowners as being the cause of the storm water problems.

Fort Ward Park Zip-Line. Fort Ward Observer

Fort Ward Park provides recreation opportunities for residents of and visitors to Alexandria, VA. Aside from the typical recreation activities it's not unusual to see artists painting, musicians playing instruments, and wedding parties being photographed. This photo taken on land donated to the City for storm water management shows another creative use of parkland--a zip-line.