A Not-So-HIstoric Redo in the Old Oakland Church Cemetery at Fort Ward

A Not-So-HIstoric Redo in the Old Oakland Church Cemetery at Fort Ward

By J. Glenn Eugster

Fort Ward Observer

April 22, 2015

This morning staff from the Office of HIstoric Alexandria, supported by a most able crew of workers from the City's Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, began to heal the ugly scars within the Old Oakland Church Graveyard, adjacent to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. The work follows a mis-guided effort last year to quickly find a way to justify the city recommendation to solve long-standing water runoff problems in Fort Ward Park. Deep archaeological trenches dug in the Old Graveyard were part of a plan that city leaders had for placing a berm within parklands that have burial areas that date-back to a time before the City of Alexandria moved families off what is now know as Fort Ward Park.

It is hard to tell what city leaders are thinking these days about solving this problem. However, a meeting between city officials and the leaders of the Oakland Baptist Church to discuss the situation, again, is planned for this week. Hopefully while the long-winded discussions go on city leaders will reconnect the "short-term solutions" to water runoff from the park into the cemeteries. It is also hoped that soil and water conservation measures will be taken on the scared land to prevent soil erosion in to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.

Save that Date! Adrienne Terrell Washington Presents Fort Ward and Seminary HIstory on April 26, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church

Save that Date! Adrienne Terrell Washington Presents Fort Ward and Seminary HIstory on April 26, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church

Come hear Adrienne Terrell Washington on Sunday, April 26 at 11:30 a.m. -- noon at Meade Memorial Episcopal Church give a presentation on the 19th churches founded by our Ft. Ward and Seminary ancestors in conjuction with the Virginia Theological Seminary. Family members still belong to Oakland Baptist Church and Meade even today, but how did those places of worship begin and why did some family members split their allegiance between the two denominations?

(By the way, they usually sell breakfast right after the 9:45 a.m.- 11:15 am service.)

Telephone conversation Captain Hassan Aden and Glenn Eugster regarding Safety and Health Concerns in Marlboro Estates, Alexandria, VA.

Telephone conversation Captain Hassan Aden and Glenn Eugster regarding Safety and Health Concerns in Marlboro Estates

Wednesday January 30, 2008

In response to an e-mail message I received on Jan. 29, 2008 I called Captain Hassan Aden of the City of Alexandria’s Police Department.  Captain Aden is the Sector 3 Commander.  Sector 3 is the West End, the largest district in the City, and it includes Marlboro Estates.  He said that it includes 2/3 of Alexandria and is a monster of a district in terms of the work required to serve an area of this size and number of people.  He noted that he has good officers working this district.

The Captain said that he was doing an in-depth look at crime in our area.  We talk about my earlier conversation with Officer Boyle.  The Captain said that he was very familiar with the incidents we have had in our neighborhood.  

We discussed the recent burglary on North Early Street and the Captain clarified that the incident was a burglary not a robbery.  He indicated that the house that was burglarized did not have a security alarm and had a door with a broken lock.  He noted that there was no forced entry into the house.

We discussed how safe this neighborhood has been and how we sometime have a false sense of security.  He stressed that he emphasizes crime prevention and we discussed how all of us need to take steps to help make our homes and neighborhoods safe.  I mentioned the neighbor’s interest in creating a Marlboro Neighborhood Watch group and posting signs that indicate the presence of such an effort.  

I explained some of the incidents that have occurred over the last five months, and other issues that have been identified by other neighbors.  We discussed the link between the park and the crime we have encountered recently.  I also raised the issues related to the park maintenance yard and the problems we have encountered with illegal dumping and out-of-town visitors to the yard.  Captain Aden said that he would not be able to help us with the maintenance yard or the dumpsters but that we should work with the Parks Department.

Captain Aden asked what exactly do our residents want the Police Department to do.  I told him that we would like: 

1) more patrols in the neighborhood; 

2) more patrols in Ft. Ward Park;

3) the gate to the park closed after hours, and; 

4) the garbage dumpsters to be removed from the park maintenance yard.

The Captain indicated that they do periodically patrol our area, including North Early Street.  They also patrol the park at night.  He added that he has assigned Officer Troy Boyle to our area and that they will have officers continue to patrol our area and go into the park in the afternoon and evening between 3:30 and 5:30 or 6:00 pm.

Captain Aden indicates that the assignment of Officer Boyle to our area is unique and we will have another opportunity to talk with Officer Boyle when he returns from personal leave in a week.

Captain Aden said that he thought that the park should be able to shut the gate during the hours that the park is closed.    He indicated that they will increase patrols in the park and see what they learn about the concerns that we have raised.  He said that if necessary they can add police bike patrols to the park in the springtime.

Captain Aden believes that he and his officers can help us and asked that we give him a chance to work on the concerns that we have raised.  He encouraged me to have us communicate and work with Officer Boyle and him directly.

He discussed his background and approach to management.  He indicated that he has worked for the Mayor’s office on accountability issues and also worked for the Mayor and City Council. He talked about the working relationships that he has with different city managers and the importance of communication.

Captain Aden’s approach to police services emphasizes setting performance measures that are based outcomes and recognition that the Captain is the person that is accountable.  He said that hopes to have the Chief invite community leaders to meet with them to look at the accountability system.

Captain Aden suggested a meeting with Police Chief Baker.  I asked if it would be okay to bring 1-2 additional neighbors to such a meeting and he agreed.  We discussed a meeting that will include a walk in the park sometime on February 7, 2008. Captain Aden said he would check the Chief’s schedule and get back to me soon.

Neighborhood Break-in Attempted--Marlboro Estates, Alexandria, VA.

Neighborhood Break-in Attempted

On Saturday September 1, 2007 at approximately 4:00 pm a young man attempted to break into our home at 4022 Ellicott Street in Alexandria, VA.  Fortunately we were home, managed to interrupt his plans and get him to leave our property.

The attempted break-in took place yesterday afternoon.  The man entered the back of our property, through our gate, and was seen as he walked across our deck.  He first looked into our kitchen windows and then tried to open one of our back doors.  Fortunately Deborah and I were home, saw him and confronted him.  When asked what he was doing he mumbled something about “looking for Ron”.  He calmly and quickly left our property through the back gate and walked into Ft. Ward Park moving in the direction of the foot bridge that leads to the children’s play area and the picnic grounds.

The man was an African-American male approximately 19 to 22 years old.  He was 5’6” to 5’8” tall, solidly built and weighed about 185-195 pounds.  He was wearing a black shirt, pants and do-rag (a piece of cloth) on his head.

We called the Alexandria Police Department and they responded within 15 minutes.  The two police officers took a report, case # 07-143130, and searched the park for the man. At this time we do not believe they have found him. 

Officer Oliver Dunn of the police department indicated that these types of daylight break-ins are the most common.  He said that criminals like to break into homes during the day, especially during weekdays when many people are working.

If you would like to talk about how we might organize ourselves to be able to communicate more effectively when situations like this occur please contact me at 703-845-8947 or by e-mail at: glenn_eugster@comcast.net

I’m sorry to share this news on a holiday weekend but my wife and I were stunned when this happened to us and worried about other families that border Ft. Ward Park.

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 

Comments on behalf of the Seminary Hill Association, Inc. (Seminary Hill) regarding Fort Ward Park

SEMINARY HILL ASSOCIATION, INC.

4009 North Garland Street

Alexandria, VA  22304

March 15, 2009

VIA E-MAIL

Mr. Kirk Kincannon

Director, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

1108 Jefferson Street

Alexandria, VA  22314

Dear Mr. Kincannon:

I am writing to provide comments on behalf of the Seminary Hill Association, Inc. (Seminary Hill) regarding Fort Ward Park (the Park).  While we will continue to press for better communications from the City regarding all meetings, policies, and planning efforts involving the Park, our most immediate concerns are as follows:

1. Management of park uses:  Immediate steps must be taken to prevent the overuse and abuses of the Park that have occurred over recent years, most notably the excessive crowds, noise, trash, and alcohol consumption that occurred on Labor Day Weekend of 2007 and 2008.  These situations must not be allowed to recur in the future, starting this Spring and Summer.  Seminary Hill has been waiting since November 5, 2008 (when you, Pat Lidy and I met in your office to discuss Seminary Hill’s concerns regarding Fort Ward Park) to see a concrete crowd control plan to prevent such situations.  I would like to set a meeting with you and Captain Hassan Aden of the Alexandria City Police Department sometime in April to discuss this.

1. Amplified sound:  Seminary Hill supports establishing a policy prohibiting amplification of any sound—music, voice, etc.—in the Park, with the exception of City-sponsored activities in the Amphitheater.

1. Alcohol use:  Seminary Hill supports establishing a policy prohibiting alcohol use in the Park, with the exception of City-sponsored events.

1. Protection of grave sites:  The deterioration of grave sites in the Park is deplorable.  Immediate action should be taken to provide at least some minimal protection of these sites, and the identification and protection of other possible unmarked grave sites must be a top priority.

1. Budget:  With the exception of the protection requested above for the grave sites, all spending under the current CIP budget should cease and desist until the public has an opportunity to comment on the forthcoming draft action plan and a new, approved Park plan is in place.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Joanne Lepanto

President

cc: Jim Hartmann, City Manager

Laura Durham, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

Seminary Hill Association, Inc. Board of Directors

Captain Hassan Aden, ACPD

Susan Cumbey, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Walton Owen, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

William Schreiner, Friends of Fort Ward Park

Adrienne T. Washington

Fort Ward Park Update March 23, 2009

Fort Ward Park Update

March 23, 2009

Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster

Fort Ward Park Community Meeting: City Presents Findings & Recommendations

On Wednesday night, March 18, 2009, Kirk Kincannon of the Alexandria Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities department, and Lance Mallamo of the Office of Historic Alexandria, presented the City’s findings and draft recommendation to more than 100 citizens at T.C. Williams High School.  Using a Power Point Presentation and occasional technical assistance from City staff, Mr. Kincannon and Mallamo presented an overview of the verbal and written comments they have received during the public engagement process.  

From the comments the City outlined “Possible Immediate Actions” to be taken to respond to the public comment process which closed on March 13, 2009.  Short term actions were defined as up to 3 to 5 years.  Long term actions were defined as over 5 years.

The 16 page presentation included one page of findings and one page of possible general immediate actions.  The speakers verbal comments about the actions enhanced the brief text that was displayed and emphasized a number of points including:

*  There is a whole other story at Fort Ward Park including African American and Native American history.  The whole site [park] is historic.

*  The City is working to relocate the maintenance yard and move vehicles off of grave sites in the nursery area.  Stewardship plans will be developed by the City in the future. 

*  There are way too many picnics and vehicles at Ft. Ward Park.

*  There will be controlled access to the graves within the maintenance yard and nursery area.

*  Amplified music and alcohol will be controlled through permits and enforcement.

The presenters indicated that their intent was to seek input on the findings and possible immediate actions.  The public may comment on this new information, which is on the City‘s website at: http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/recreation/info/FWPresentations3-18-09.pdf

The deadline for comments in Friday March 27, 2009.  Neither speaker indicated what the process for future public involvement is.  Kirk Kincannon indicated that he has accepted a job in Boulder, Colorado and will be leaving the City in April.