Hello again!
Just wanted to remind you all to keep submitting your photos...we're going to keep going with the Photography Contest--we want to get as many of your photos as we can emailed to us!
Please don't forget to let us know which category you're submitting for!
Thanks and good luck!
Battlefield Journal
Monday, May 26, 2008
First Confederate Blockade Runner Found in Florida!
Tampa, Fla. (May 22, 2008) – It may not have all the excitement of an Indiana Jones movie, but underwater archaeologists from The Florida Aquarium have discovered their own bit of treasure. It isn’t gold or silver, but it does have a lot of value to Florida’s Civil War history.
After two years of searching and more than 100 man-hours of underwater data collection, the first Confederate Blockade Runner ever found in Florida has a name: the Kate Dale. “I’m 98 percent sure,” says John William Morris, principal investigator on the project. “In this field you are rarely 100 percent sure on anything, but with all the data we’ve collected and historical records we’ve research, I can say with confidence this is the Kate Dale.”
The Kate Dale is one of three blockade runners owned by James McKay, considered the father of maritime industry in Tampa. Measuring more than 80 feet in length, the Kate Dale was a sailing vessel used to gather goods from McKay’s warehouse located near Lowry Park and shipped to foreign countries for cash to bring back for the Confederate Army. The story from there is as murky as the waters in the Hillsborough River.
With almost zero visibility during most of the work and the occasional run-ins with alligators and other marine life, underwater archaeology has its own inherit dangers, says Mike Terrell, Dive Training Officer for The Florida Aquarium.
“Our divers have challenging conditions to overcome on a daily basis,” says Terrell. “Sometimes it’s working with little to no visibility while trying to take down extremely accurate measurements. Other times you have to keep one eye on the work and another on a passing gator or the rare bull shark sighting.”
The Kate Dale will remain in its current location while more research is done on its fascinating story.
“It depends who you talk to as to whether James McKay was a sympathizer for the confederate army or a spy for the union,” says Tom Wagner, spokesperson for The Florida Aquarium. “I relate him to a kind of Tampa Rhett Butler who was using both sides for capital gain.”
The work on the Kate Dale ends today, but research will continue as the pieces of the puzzle come together to form as complete a picture as possible about the historical significance of the wreck. Union records indicate a battalion of union soldiers were sent to the Hillsborough River to set fire to both the Kate Dale and the Scottish Chief, another McKay owned blockade runner.
The program’s goal is a three-part project that encompasses the search and discovery of what lies at the bottom of our local waterways, building an educational curriculum around the discoveries and using the discoveries to recreate shipwreck exhibits at The Florida Aquarium.
After two years of searching and more than 100 man-hours of underwater data collection, the first Confederate Blockade Runner ever found in Florida has a name: the Kate Dale. “I’m 98 percent sure,” says John William Morris, principal investigator on the project. “In this field you are rarely 100 percent sure on anything, but with all the data we’ve collected and historical records we’ve research, I can say with confidence this is the Kate Dale.”
The Kate Dale is one of three blockade runners owned by James McKay, considered the father of maritime industry in Tampa. Measuring more than 80 feet in length, the Kate Dale was a sailing vessel used to gather goods from McKay’s warehouse located near Lowry Park and shipped to foreign countries for cash to bring back for the Confederate Army. The story from there is as murky as the waters in the Hillsborough River.
With almost zero visibility during most of the work and the occasional run-ins with alligators and other marine life, underwater archaeology has its own inherit dangers, says Mike Terrell, Dive Training Officer for The Florida Aquarium.
“Our divers have challenging conditions to overcome on a daily basis,” says Terrell. “Sometimes it’s working with little to no visibility while trying to take down extremely accurate measurements. Other times you have to keep one eye on the work and another on a passing gator or the rare bull shark sighting.”
The Kate Dale will remain in its current location while more research is done on its fascinating story.
“It depends who you talk to as to whether James McKay was a sympathizer for the confederate army or a spy for the union,” says Tom Wagner, spokesperson for The Florida Aquarium. “I relate him to a kind of Tampa Rhett Butler who was using both sides for capital gain.”
The work on the Kate Dale ends today, but research will continue as the pieces of the puzzle come together to form as complete a picture as possible about the historical significance of the wreck. Union records indicate a battalion of union soldiers were sent to the Hillsborough River to set fire to both the Kate Dale and the Scottish Chief, another McKay owned blockade runner.
The program’s goal is a three-part project that encompasses the search and discovery of what lies at the bottom of our local waterways, building an educational curriculum around the discoveries and using the discoveries to recreate shipwreck exhibits at The Florida Aquarium.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
One of the long-lasting traditions stemming from the American Civil War, Memorial Day today symbolizes the start of summer: picnics, bbqs, parades...but none of us forget that while on Veterans Day, we say thank you to the vets who have fought and come home, Memorial Day does just that--memorializes. And in this time of suffering for soldiers who have passed away in all of our wars, including the one going on now--and the families who are left behind--we give our prayers and thoughts to all who keep us and have kept us a free nation.
I have included below a copy pictures of some of New England's Civil War memorials town squares or in cemeteries. No matter who is in the White House or which presidential "hopeful" is duking it out...we have much to be thankful for.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! Have fun and stay safe!
Battlefield Journal
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Historic African American Schoolhouse Available For Curatorship
The historic property known as the Hornbaker House in Washington County, is coming available for restoration under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Resident-Curatorship Program. This property is located on the grounds of Fort Frederick State Park, 11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool, Maryland. An open house will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 1 pm-3 pm, for those interested in learning more about the site and the program.“The Resident-Curatorship Program is a great opportunity for citizens to be directly involved in the preservation of Maryland’s historic resources.” said Bruce Alexander, Manager of Curatorships and Cultural Resources for DNR. “The curator who chooses to live in and restore the Hornbaker House will be preserving an important part of our state’s history.”Built in the late 19th century (circa 1899) the Hornbaker House was originally an African-American School. Once known as the Fort Frederick "Colored" school house, the small school was constructed to provide for the education of area African-American children during a time of racial segregation in Washington County. It operated on and off for a few years, then closed permanently in April 1909, when its students were sent to other segregated schools in Clear Spring and Williamsport. The Washington County school board sold the property in 1914, and it was enlarged and turned into a residence.Under this exciting program, in exchange for a lifetime lease, curators agree to restore and maintain the house according to strict historic preservation standards and at no cost to the state. The program requires that curatorship proposals represent at least $150,000 worth of improvements to the property, which must be completed within seven years. Certain properties may require a significantly greater investment. In addition, the curatorship is subject to regular inspection by state officials, and can be terminated for non-compliance. Resident-Curators, who can be individuals or organizations, must also agree to open the property to the public three to five times each year.
Fort Frederick State Park is the home of Fort Frederick, America’s premier stone colonial fort. It was built by the colony of Maryland in 1756 to protect its western boundaries and as a base to attack French claims to the Ohio River valley. The Fort Frederick State Park was Maryland's first state park, created in the first Maryland state park legislation in 1922.
Currently Fort Frederick is an educational center for the study of the French and Indian War, with significant African-American heritage and listed on Maryland's list of historic African American sites. Historians say that Fort Frederick is the United States' largest stone fort built by the British in the colonies. Fort Frederick has been called "Western Maryland's First Homeland Security," and "The Gibraltar on the Potomac."
In 1857, the fort began to be farmed by Nathan Williams, a freed African American slave, who helped escaping slaves make it across Maryland to freedom. Williams, born a slave in the Shenandoah Valley, had obtained his independence and then was able to buy his wife's freedom. They had seven children, built a house inside the fort and farmed the property. During the Civil War, the family prospered by selling farm goods to both Union and Confederate troops stationed on either side of the nearby Potomac River to keep a watchful eye on the strategic C&O Canal. The Williams family continued to farm nearly 100 acres surrounding Fort Frederick for the next 54 years.
Since 1982, the state's Resident-Curatorship Program has helped to preserve over 40 historic buildings on state parkland. More information, including photographs and bid proposal guidelines, can be found on our website: www.dnr.maryland.gov/land/rcs/ or by contacting Bruce Alexander at 410-260-8457.
Fort Frederick is located off of Rt 70 exit 12 at State Route 56, Big Pool, MD. For more information about other Fort Frederick activities, please call the park at 1-301-842-2155 during the office hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The state park includes part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, and is adjacent to the Western Maryland Rail Trail.
Fort Frederick is a member of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, see: http://www.marylandmemories.com/. Additionally, Fort Frederick is a member of the Washington County Association of Museums and Historic Sites. For more information, see: http://www.marylandmemories.org/museum/.
Fort Frederick State Park is the home of Fort Frederick, America’s premier stone colonial fort. It was built by the colony of Maryland in 1756 to protect its western boundaries and as a base to attack French claims to the Ohio River valley. The Fort Frederick State Park was Maryland's first state park, created in the first Maryland state park legislation in 1922.
Currently Fort Frederick is an educational center for the study of the French and Indian War, with significant African-American heritage and listed on Maryland's list of historic African American sites. Historians say that Fort Frederick is the United States' largest stone fort built by the British in the colonies. Fort Frederick has been called "Western Maryland's First Homeland Security," and "The Gibraltar on the Potomac."
In 1857, the fort began to be farmed by Nathan Williams, a freed African American slave, who helped escaping slaves make it across Maryland to freedom. Williams, born a slave in the Shenandoah Valley, had obtained his independence and then was able to buy his wife's freedom. They had seven children, built a house inside the fort and farmed the property. During the Civil War, the family prospered by selling farm goods to both Union and Confederate troops stationed on either side of the nearby Potomac River to keep a watchful eye on the strategic C&O Canal. The Williams family continued to farm nearly 100 acres surrounding Fort Frederick for the next 54 years.
Since 1982, the state's Resident-Curatorship Program has helped to preserve over 40 historic buildings on state parkland. More information, including photographs and bid proposal guidelines, can be found on our website: www.dnr.maryland.gov/land/rcs/ or by contacting Bruce Alexander at 410-260-8457.
Fort Frederick is located off of Rt 70 exit 12 at State Route 56, Big Pool, MD. For more information about other Fort Frederick activities, please call the park at 1-301-842-2155 during the office hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The state park includes part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, and is adjacent to the Western Maryland Rail Trail.
Fort Frederick is a member of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, see: http://www.marylandmemories.com/. Additionally, Fort Frederick is a member of the Washington County Association of Museums and Historic Sites. For more information, see: http://www.marylandmemories.org/museum/.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
SVBF Releases Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Visitor Guide
Perhaps you’re a casual student of the Civil War interested in following Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign. Or your family is visiting a certain part of the Shenandoah Valley and you are interested in exploring a battlefield in the area. Or maybe you just want to get a quick understanding of the region’s Civil War history.
A new guide, released this week by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, is designed to do all of this. The visitors guide to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is a free 48-page, full-color booklet that provides an overview of the Valley’s Civil War history and information about how to explore that history at Civil War sites throughout the region.
“The Valley’s Civil War history is fairly complex,” said Howard Kittell, the Battlefields Foundation’s Executive Director. “It includes a number of military campaigns, more than a dozen full-scale battles and countless engagements, and a variety of participants, from commanders and soldiers on the field on both sides to the Valley’s residents who struggled to keep their families and livelihoods together while war raged all around them. This guide untangles the twisted threads of those stories and weaves them together in a way that helps the reader understand what happened here. It then helps them find the sites that tell that story today. In addition, having residents and visitors becoming more engaged in the battlefields and other historic sites will lead to a stronger sense of stewardship of these nationally important historic resources.”
Guiding visitors through the history and to the sites
The Guide presents information in two ways. The first section provides a chronological review of what happened in the Shenandoah Valley over the course of the Civil War. It includes maps depicting movements of armies, timelines of the various military campaigns, and a list of the historic sites associated with those campaigns.
Communities throughout the eight-county National Historic District—and beyond—each have a unique part of the Valley’s Civil War history. The guide’s second section describes these distinct stories and provides detailed information about the historic sites in that community—location, hours of operation, contact information, and a brief site description.
Finally, the guide also offers general information about Civil War events and activities in the Shenandoah Valley and a list of resources to help travelers plan a visit to the region.
“This is the first comprehensive Civil War guide of its kind here in the Shenandoah Valley ,” said Jean Tardy Clark, a Foundation Trustee and chair of the Foundation’s Tourism Committee, which managed the project. Clark is also the director of Lexington-Rockbridge Area Tourism. “By helping visitors quickly understand the Valley’s Civil War history and making it much easier for them to find our Civil War sites, we hope to encourage them to stay longer and maybe learn a little more about our past.”
An overall vision for visitor services in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District
The guide was completed in time for the opening on Monday of the new Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Civil War Orientation Center in Winchester , the second of five planned orientation centers in the District. (View the release.) Together, the guide, the orientation centers, and the large brown signs at all of the major entrances into the National Historic District are the most visible parts of an overall plan to help visitors understand and explore the Shenandoah Valley’s unique and important Civil War story.
The first National Historic District orientation center opened in McDowell in 2005. An interim orientation center is under development for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area and partners in the Signal Knob area of the National Historic District—where northern Shenandoah County , southern Frederick County , and Warren County converge—are beginning to consider options for their orientation facility.
The Battlefields Foundation’s visitor services initiatives are guided by the District’s Management and Implementation Plans, approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 2000, and the District-wide Marketing Plan, adopted by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees earlier this year. The plans were developed through a series of public meetings and were guided by partner organizations throughout the region. A District-wide Interpretive Plan is due to be completed this summer.
Preparing for the Civil War Sesquicentennial
Along with the orientation centers, the guide is part of the Battlefields Foundation’s effort to help partners in the Shenandoah Valley prepare for the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, which begins in 2011. As a main theatre of the Civil War and the site of more that 60 percent of its battles, Virginia is expected to be a primary destination for travelers seeking to learn more about this chapter in American history.
Guide details: availability, funding, development
The guide is available at visitor centers and Civil War sites throughout the region, at the 11 welcome centers along interstate roadway entrances into the state, and at other sites throughout Virginia and beyond. (*A list of these sites appears at the end of this release.) It can also be downloaded from the “Visit the Valley” area of the National Historic District website: www.ShenandoahAtWar.org.
(Note: A pdf of just the front cover of the guide may be downloaded from the news area of the National Historic District website: www.ShenandoahAtWar.org.)
The guide was funded in part by a marketing leverage grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation as well as the Battlefields Foundation’s federal appropriation, and by tourism offices throughout the Valley.
Development of the guide was managed by the Battlefields Foundation’s Tourism Committee. Committee members Scott Harris, Director of the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park , and Don Pierce, Page One History Publications, served as content advisors on the project.
--------------------------------
Created by Congress in 1996, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District encompasses Augusta , Clarke, Frederick , Highland , Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties in Virginia and the cities of Harrisonburg , Staunton , Waynesboro , and Winchester . The District’s legislation authorizes federal funding for the protection of ten Civil War battlefields in the Valley and for the coordination of interpretation and promotion of the Shenandoah Valley ’s Civil War history.
As authorized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation serves as the non-profit manager of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, partnering with local, regional, and national organizations and governments to preserve the Valley’s battlefields and interpret and promote the region’s Civil War story.
--------------------------------
ON THE WEB:
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and the
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District:
www.ShenandoahAtWar.org
A new guide, released this week by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, is designed to do all of this. The visitors guide to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is a free 48-page, full-color booklet that provides an overview of the Valley’s Civil War history and information about how to explore that history at Civil War sites throughout the region.
“The Valley’s Civil War history is fairly complex,” said Howard Kittell, the Battlefields Foundation’s Executive Director. “It includes a number of military campaigns, more than a dozen full-scale battles and countless engagements, and a variety of participants, from commanders and soldiers on the field on both sides to the Valley’s residents who struggled to keep their families and livelihoods together while war raged all around them. This guide untangles the twisted threads of those stories and weaves them together in a way that helps the reader understand what happened here. It then helps them find the sites that tell that story today. In addition, having residents and visitors becoming more engaged in the battlefields and other historic sites will lead to a stronger sense of stewardship of these nationally important historic resources.”
Guiding visitors through the history and to the sites
The Guide presents information in two ways. The first section provides a chronological review of what happened in the Shenandoah Valley over the course of the Civil War. It includes maps depicting movements of armies, timelines of the various military campaigns, and a list of the historic sites associated with those campaigns.
Communities throughout the eight-county National Historic District—and beyond—each have a unique part of the Valley’s Civil War history. The guide’s second section describes these distinct stories and provides detailed information about the historic sites in that community—location, hours of operation, contact information, and a brief site description.
Finally, the guide also offers general information about Civil War events and activities in the Shenandoah Valley and a list of resources to help travelers plan a visit to the region.
“This is the first comprehensive Civil War guide of its kind here in the Shenandoah Valley ,” said Jean Tardy Clark, a Foundation Trustee and chair of the Foundation’s Tourism Committee, which managed the project. Clark is also the director of Lexington-Rockbridge Area Tourism. “By helping visitors quickly understand the Valley’s Civil War history and making it much easier for them to find our Civil War sites, we hope to encourage them to stay longer and maybe learn a little more about our past.”
An overall vision for visitor services in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District
The guide was completed in time for the opening on Monday of the new Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Civil War Orientation Center in Winchester , the second of five planned orientation centers in the District. (View the release.) Together, the guide, the orientation centers, and the large brown signs at all of the major entrances into the National Historic District are the most visible parts of an overall plan to help visitors understand and explore the Shenandoah Valley’s unique and important Civil War story.
The first National Historic District orientation center opened in McDowell in 2005. An interim orientation center is under development for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area and partners in the Signal Knob area of the National Historic District—where northern Shenandoah County , southern Frederick County , and Warren County converge—are beginning to consider options for their orientation facility.
The Battlefields Foundation’s visitor services initiatives are guided by the District’s Management and Implementation Plans, approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 2000, and the District-wide Marketing Plan, adopted by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees earlier this year. The plans were developed through a series of public meetings and were guided by partner organizations throughout the region. A District-wide Interpretive Plan is due to be completed this summer.
Preparing for the Civil War Sesquicentennial
Along with the orientation centers, the guide is part of the Battlefields Foundation’s effort to help partners in the Shenandoah Valley prepare for the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, which begins in 2011. As a main theatre of the Civil War and the site of more that 60 percent of its battles, Virginia is expected to be a primary destination for travelers seeking to learn more about this chapter in American history.
Guide details: availability, funding, development
The guide is available at visitor centers and Civil War sites throughout the region, at the 11 welcome centers along interstate roadway entrances into the state, and at other sites throughout Virginia and beyond. (*A list of these sites appears at the end of this release.) It can also be downloaded from the “Visit the Valley” area of the National Historic District website: www.ShenandoahAtWar.org.
(Note: A pdf of just the front cover of the guide may be downloaded from the news area of the National Historic District website: www.ShenandoahAtWar.org.)
The guide was funded in part by a marketing leverage grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation as well as the Battlefields Foundation’s federal appropriation, and by tourism offices throughout the Valley.
Development of the guide was managed by the Battlefields Foundation’s Tourism Committee. Committee members Scott Harris, Director of the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park , and Don Pierce, Page One History Publications, served as content advisors on the project.
--------------------------------
Created by Congress in 1996, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District encompasses Augusta , Clarke, Frederick , Highland , Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties in Virginia and the cities of Harrisonburg , Staunton , Waynesboro , and Winchester . The District’s legislation authorizes federal funding for the protection of ten Civil War battlefields in the Valley and for the coordination of interpretation and promotion of the Shenandoah Valley ’s Civil War history.
As authorized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation serves as the non-profit manager of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, partnering with local, regional, and national organizations and governments to preserve the Valley’s battlefields and interpret and promote the region’s Civil War story.
--------------------------------
ON THE WEB:
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and the
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District:
www.ShenandoahAtWar.org
Sunday, May 11, 2008
New Survey!
Thank you for answering our last survey! The question was: Should the Battlefield Journal expand to include other wars? A whopping 89% of you said NO! That's great to know and it's even greater to see that you're taking the time to answer our survey!
We have another one! Tell us how rising gas prices are affecting you!
Take the survey here!
We have another one! Tell us how rising gas prices are affecting you!
Take the survey here!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Great News for the Journey Through Hallowed Ground!
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS JOURNEY THROUGH HALLOWED GROUND NHA INTO LAW ENDORSEMENT CREATES 38TH—AND MOST HISTORIC—NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
Waterford, Virginia – On Thursday, May 8, 2008, President Bush endorsed the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (JTHG NHA), signing the 38th—and most historic—National Heritage Area into law. The legislation, S. 2739, passed the House on April 29, 2008, by a vote of 291 to 117 and the Senate on April 10, 2008, by a vote of 91 to 4. The JTHG NHA recognizes the unparalleled cultural, historic and scenic resources within the entire JTHG corridor—the region that generally follows the Old Carolina Road (Rt. 15/231) from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania through Maryland, to Monticello in Albemarle County, VA. This region, known as Where America Happened™, holds more American history than any other region in the country with nine Presidential homes (Ash Lawn-Highland and Oak Hill (Monroe), Kennedy’s Country Home, Camp Hoover, Eisenhower National Historic Site, Montebello (Taylor), Monticello (Jefferson), Montpelier (Madison), Pine Knot (Roosevelt), and Camp David, 73 National Historic Districts, the largest collection of Civil War Battlefields, significant sites from the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, 15 historic Main Street communities, numerous scenic roads, rivers and landscapes.The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership is a public-private partnership comprised of every elected body within the four-state region and over 150 other partner organizations all working collaboratively to provide opportunities for interpretive historic, heritage education and recreational programs that celebrate the unparalleled American heritage found along this region. The National Heritage Area designation is a national honor that will expand opportunities for economic development, particularly within the heritage tourism industry, as well as the educational programs for students of every age. This designation will serve as a springboard to encourage Americans and others to Take the Journey™ and discover what those who came before us created on this hallowed ground.“We are thrilled that the President has signed the legislation to create the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area,” said Cate Magennis Wyatt, President of the JTHG Partnership. “This historic Act of Congress would not have been possible without the leadership of Senator John Warner, Congressman Frank Wolf and the leadership of each member of Congress within this four-state corridor. We applaud the work of our Partners, as their efforts and vision are responsible for today’s national recognition, and I share their pride as we accept this designation.” In addition to its lead sponsor, Senator John Warner (R-VA), the national heritage area legislation, which was originally introduced as S. 289, was co-sponsored by Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Jim Webb (D-VA).“The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area shines light on a region that holds great significance to the history of this Nation,” said Senator John Warner. “I will continue to work with the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership and support efforts that bring opportunity to the region and its visitors.”“I am extremely pleased that the Senate recognized the importance of Maryland and our regions’ unique place in our nation’s history,” said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin. “The creation of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area will provide a wonderful opportunity to ensure that future generations have a much better appreciation of America’s past and of Maryland’s important contributions to it.”In the House, the legislation was first introduced as H.R. 319, as sponsored by Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA). The bill was co-sponsored by Representatives Richard H. Baker (R-LA), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Eric Cantor (R-VA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), the late Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), Tom Davis (R-VA), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Jim McCrery (R-LA), Jim P. Moran (D-VA), Todd Russell Platts (R-PA), Ted Poe (R-TX), C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), John P. Sarbanes (D-MD), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-PA), Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Mark E. Souder (R-IN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Albert Russell Wynn (D-MD). “The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is something that each and every citizen should have the chance to experience,” said Congressman Frank Wolf. “The rich history of our nation can be traced directly to this corridor and I am proud to be a Partner in the effort to celebrate this hallowed ground.” The Journey legislation had strong bipartisan support including that of four governors, state legislators, and the endorsement of every town, county, borough council and board of commissioners throughout the 175-mile corridor. The JTHG NHA has also garnered broad-based support from local business groups, tourism officials, non-profit organizations, educators and citizens living along the region.
A Passion for History
Look at this information I received from the state of Virginia. I know exactly how Mr. Bowman feels. I can't even describe how much I love history. We'd love to hear your feelings! Feel free to comment below on this post!
Passions for History are Rooted in Virginia-Mitch Bowman of Virginia Civil War Trails entices history addicts to delve deep into Virginia's passionate beginnings-
Mitch BowmanWatch his video(Richmond, Va.)--History is alive in Virginia and nobody knows that better than Mitch Bowman, a proud history addict from way back when. Bowman helped lead the charge to create the Virginia Civil War Trails, a driving trail that connects 400 sites across the state, from battlefields to homes and national parks, to lead visitors through Virginia, where more Civil War battles were fought than any other state.
A former officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Bowman's passion for Virginia's rich history, from Jamestown to the Civil War to the struggle for Civil Rights, makes visits to Virginia more meaningful.
"My real passion is helping educate people," explains Bowman, in a video vignette on Virginia.org, "and share with them things that impact their lives, that they really don't realize have shaped their lives or the world around them."
Mitch's deep, personal commitment to an honest and accurate portrayal of the Civil War in Virginia is a big part of what makes Virginia an excellent destination for visitors seeking the roots of the nation. Virginia is an American history icon, spanning more than four centuries, from 1607 and the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown to the genesis of Brown vs Board of Education at R. R. Moton High School in Farmville. Virginia is the "Mother of Presidents" claiming eight in total, with new and exciting additions to presidential homes including Mount Vernon, Montpelier and Monticello. In Virginia, historical legends such as Booker T. Washington, Chief Powhatan, Thomas Jefferson, Maggie Walker and Daniel Boone come alive in interactive museums and exhibits that showcase how these leaders paved the way for our nation. ? Diverse historical trails such as the Civil Rights in Education Trail, the Virginia Indian Heritage Trail and the new Road to Revolution, which traces the life of Patrick Henry, help visitors relive history in a whole new way.History thrives in the streets of Virginia's historic downtowns and Main Street communities. Vacations to Richmond, Roanoke, Staunton, Alexandria and other historic cities are the best way to combine stunning historic architecture, sites and stories with world-class dining, shopping and arts.Ready to delve deep into your passion for history? Go to Portraits of Passion at http://clik.virginiainteractive.org/CT00041702ODE0NTQA.HTML?D=2008-05-08 to watch a video of Mitch Bowman at the American Civil War Center and plan a trip to connect with Virginia's passionate beginnings points.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Quilt on Display
You know...sometimes things are just too beautiful to ignore. This piece I received on a Quilt Exhibit in Adams County, PA is one of them...
Take a look at this!
Barclay Brooks and Posie Wright examine the 1850’s signature quilt which will be on exhibit at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg , Virginia , now through September 22, 2008 .
A special exhibit called Quaker Quilts and Heritage at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg , Virginia , features a quilt belonging to the Menallen Friends Meeting of Biglerville. The Menallen Friends recently acquired it in honor of two loyal members, William and Posie Wright (both now deceased). William had served as Menallen’s clerk and Posie was the historian for Menallen Friends Meeting for many years. The quilt was purchased by friends of the Wrights and donated to Menallen Friends Meeting.
The quilt is a signature quilt and has 72 squares with 74 names written inside them. The identities of those on the quilt are being researched by Judith Pyle and Debra McCauslin, of Gettysburg . Nearly all the signatures have been identified and include many past members of Menallen Friends Meeting. Based on dates of marriages and deaths, the quilt is thought to have been created sometime between 1847 and 1851. The fabrics used are thought to be from that era as confirmed by several experts. Some of the persons on the quilt are Quakers (a.k.a. Friends) from MD, VA, OH and IN. Several connections appear to be related to Salem , Ohio which is considered to be the Anti-Slavery Headquarters of the West. Several Quaker families from Pennsylvania moved to the Salem area as part of the Western Movement. The reason the quilt was created is not yet known but is suspected to be related to the abolition of slavery.
One name on the quilt is that of Mary Payne who was born a slave in Virginia but later manumitted by her owner in 1843. Payne lived on Bendersville’s Bear Mountain when she and her family were kidnapped by five men on July 24, 1845 . Payne was taken back to Virginia to be sold on the auction block. She was later freed again and she returned to Pennsylvania and lived with a Quaker Valley family in Adams County upon her return.
The exhibit will run now through Sept 22 and is located at 301 South Main Street in Harrisonburg , VA. The exhibit’s guest curator is Mary Robare of Winchester , VA. Robare assisted Pyle and McCauslin with some of their research and she requested the quilt become part of the exhibit.
At the conclusion of the exhibit, the quilt will be returned to Menallen Friends Meeting and placed in storage. It will be removed from storage for programs which will be conducted for the public upon request where McCauslin and Pyle will share their findings.
For more information, contact Debra McCauslin at dmccauslin@gettysburghistories.com or by calling 717-528-8553. The Virginia Quilt Museum can be contacted at 540-433-3818.
Take a look at this!
Barclay Brooks and Posie Wright examine the 1850’s signature quilt which will be on exhibit at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg , Virginia , now through September 22, 2008 .A special exhibit called Quaker Quilts and Heritage at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg , Virginia , features a quilt belonging to the Menallen Friends Meeting of Biglerville. The Menallen Friends recently acquired it in honor of two loyal members, William and Posie Wright (both now deceased). William had served as Menallen’s clerk and Posie was the historian for Menallen Friends Meeting for many years. The quilt was purchased by friends of the Wrights and donated to Menallen Friends Meeting.
The quilt is a signature quilt and has 72 squares with 74 names written inside them. The identities of those on the quilt are being researched by Judith Pyle and Debra McCauslin, of Gettysburg . Nearly all the signatures have been identified and include many past members of Menallen Friends Meeting. Based on dates of marriages and deaths, the quilt is thought to have been created sometime between 1847 and 1851. The fabrics used are thought to be from that era as confirmed by several experts. Some of the persons on the quilt are Quakers (a.k.a. Friends) from MD, VA, OH and IN. Several connections appear to be related to Salem , Ohio which is considered to be the Anti-Slavery Headquarters of the West. Several Quaker families from Pennsylvania moved to the Salem area as part of the Western Movement. The reason the quilt was created is not yet known but is suspected to be related to the abolition of slavery.
One name on the quilt is that of Mary Payne who was born a slave in Virginia but later manumitted by her owner in 1843. Payne lived on Bendersville’s Bear Mountain when she and her family were kidnapped by five men on July 24, 1845 . Payne was taken back to Virginia to be sold on the auction block. She was later freed again and she returned to Pennsylvania and lived with a Quaker Valley family in Adams County upon her return.
The exhibit will run now through Sept 22 and is located at 301 South Main Street in Harrisonburg , VA. The exhibit’s guest curator is Mary Robare of Winchester , VA. Robare assisted Pyle and McCauslin with some of their research and she requested the quilt become part of the exhibit.
At the conclusion of the exhibit, the quilt will be returned to Menallen Friends Meeting and placed in storage. It will be removed from storage for programs which will be conducted for the public upon request where McCauslin and Pyle will share their findings.
For more information, contact Debra McCauslin at dmccauslin@gettysburghistories.com or by calling 717-528-8553. The Virginia Quilt Museum can be contacted at 540-433-3818.
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