Historic Perspectives

Transcription

1 Historic Perspectives News About the Preservation of Prince William County s Historic Resources Summer 2015 The American Civil War is remembered as the costliest conflict the U.S. has ever been involved in. One way to get a reasonable image of how destructive the war was for Prince William County is to compare the assessed real estate and personal property in Prince William from By looking at the impact of the war at some of the historic properties inside the county, we can start to get a sense of how costly the war was. Published by the Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division Prince William County After the Civil War In western Prince William, Benjamin T. Chinn had the unfortunate circumstance of having two stately homes involved in the war. Ben Lomond was a Confederate hospital after 1st Manassas, and Hazel Plain was located in the midst of both Manassas battles. Not surprisingly Chinn saw a nearly 95% decline in his fortune, losing 93% of his real estate value and 99.4% of his personal property. As terrible a decline that Chinn saw, it was overshadowed by the Pringle family who were leasing Ben Lomond at the outbreak of the war. In 1860 the Pringle family had just under $4,000 in personal property. Ten years later, the Pringle family not only lost all they owned, but they had lost a family member as well. A few miles to the southeast, T. K. Davis farm was the location of multiple army camps and two battles at Bristoe Station. The former county Sherriff saw the worth of his farm decline from $9,300 to $3,680, a loss of 60.4%. In 1860 the Davis family owned just under $3,000 worth of personal property. By 1870 that figure had dropped almost 90% to $328. Further east was John Hooe s home Mayfield. The plantation with the largest enslaved force in Prince William County became the site of a Confederate fort. Between 1860 and 1870 saw his personal property decline from $19,000 to just $550. Since enslaved people were counted as personal property in the 1860 census records one can easily see how emancipation affected the wealth of elite white plantation owners. While Hooe s personal property was declining, it appears that he was purchasing cheap land because the worth of his real estate nearly doubles between 1860 and Finally Brentsville is the scene of another curious scenario on the impact of the war. Former Commonwealth Attorney Eppa Hunton had served as a Confederate general before being captured in While he was in Confederate service, passing Union soldiers repeatedly damage his home until US Marshalls seized it in Returning after the war, Hunton s legal services seemed to be in demand because even though this real estate is valued at $5,000 in both the 1860 and 1870 census records, Hunton s personal property skyrocketed from $8,000 in 1860 to $12,500 in By looking at the records for these five families, we can see just how destructive the war was to everyone that happened to be in its path. However with Hooe and Hunton we can also begin to see how quickly Prince William County was being to recover from the damages caused by our most destructive war. By: Bill Backus Historic Interpreter Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre Summer Program and Event Guide Inside!

2 News From the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation Happy Summer 2015 everyone, It is so wonderful that Summer is here because the outstanding PWC Historic sites are in full operational mode for everyone's enjoyment. I am so looking forward to another banner year for the PWC Historic Preservation Division (HPD) and our support from the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation (PWHPF). This year will be another year of growth for the foundation. Our new website at is up and running! We ve been pushing ahead with the plans for the Prince William Museum at Rippon Lodge, and are excited by the progress happening at the Brentsville Jail! Both are formidable efforts but together we can get them accomplished. Proposed drawings for Prince William Museum at Rippon Lodge As always the PWHPF needs your yearly support as members and the county appreciates it so much. If you ve run out of good gift ideas, might I suggest a membership to Prince William County Historic Preservation? As a member your friend or family member has receives our newsletter, gets a 10% discount in the gift shop, and free regular admission! Plus, the cost of the membership comes back to us to spend on our ongoing preservation efforts. You can even join online at preservepw.org just type in the comments section that the membership is for and we ll send their card directly to them! Again I want to thank you for your membership support throughout the years and especially We raised more funds in 2014 than any previous year but we couldn't do it without you. Look forward to meeting some of you in 2015 and please enjoy these HPD sites, our county's treasures. Thank you, President, PWCHPF

3 Historic Property Rentals Host your next special occasion, corporate retreat or business meeting at one of our historic sites. From stunning views of the Potomac River to the intimacy of a small church, we are sure to have the perfect venue to showcase your event! Rippon Lodge Historic Site Blackburn Rd Woodbridge, VA With stunning views of the Potomac River, the vast lawn and outdoor garden set a memorable stage for larger events. The Old Manassas Courthouse 9246 Lee Street Manassas, VA Located in the heart of the historic City of Manassas, the courthouse offers a convenient and ideal venue for both personal and business events of all kinds. Union Church Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre Bristow Rd Bristow, VA Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation Memorial and Recognition Gifts Tree Donation Program The Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation is proud to support Prince William County's efforts to preserve our past and fund important work that restores county-owned historic properties and structures. Your gift to the Tree Donation Program will help to preserve the historic landscapes of Ben Lomond Historic Site, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, Rippon Lodge, Lucasville School, William s Ordinary, and the Old Manassas Courthouse. For more information on the tree donation program please call or send an to historicpreservation@pwcgov.org Nestled in the heart of historic Brentsville, Union Church is perfect for small intimate weddings and services. Call or visit for more information pwhistoric 3

4 Rippon Lodge Historic Site Blackburn Road, Woodbridge The Old Manassas Courthouse 9246 Lee Street, Manassas Lucasville School Godwin Dr. Manassas Schedule of Events All fees listed are per person unless otherwise stated. All programs are free for children under six unless otherwise stated. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather for outdoor programs. No pets please. Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Call site phone number for updated information and to make reservations where required. July Saturdays, July-September Yoga on the Lawn 9 a.m.- 10 a.m. $5 per class or 5 classes for $20 or 10 classes for $45 Join certified yoga instructor Hamuri Allen for an hour long Vinyasa yoga practice. Those purchasing 10 class will be given punch cards which are good for the entire season. Additional classes may be purchased at any time. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, July 10& 24, August 7 & 21 Revolutionary Readers Book Club 10am-Noon; $7 per child Young readers (rising 4-6th graders) are invited to join our book club. This summer we will explore books and topics connected to the Revolutionary War. Each meeting will include a discussion of the book and other related activities. The book list will be provided at the time of registration. All titles are available at the local library. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, July 11 Flea Market at Brentsville 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Free admission, $10 for table reservation to sell at flea market Discover what court was like in Brentsville during its days as the 4th county courthouse of Prince William County. People from all over the county would travel to Brentsville to buy and sell everything imaginable. In commemoration of this heritage, a modern flea market will be held in front of the Courthouse. Table reservations are required for participation in the flea market. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, July Pringle House Hospital Weekend 11am-4pm: $5 per person, children 6 and under free. Join us at Ben Lomond as we commemorate the 154th anniversary of Ben Lomond being used as a Civil War hospital. Specialized tours include medical demonstrations, Civil War encampment, and special Civil War medical exhibit featuring the writing desk of Col. William F. Lee. Ben Lomond Historic Site, July 25 Paranormal p.m. - midnight $100 per person for seminar and investigation, $40 for just the seminar. Ben Lomond is partnering with ECRIP to host a paranormal seminar and investigation. Participants will first attend a seminar with discussions about various theories and current techniques. Afterwards, participants will work alongside members of ECRIP in a paranormal investigation. The seminar will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m., with the investigation lasting from 9 p.m. to midnight. Reservations are required. Ben Lomond Historic Site, VA July 31 Rhoda Fewell and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Civil War Veterans 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Free Known at the time as soldier's heart, many Civil War veterans struggled with their wartime experience. Join staff historians as we explore an often undiscussed impact of the Civil War. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, August August 8 Movie Night at Historic Brentsville 8pm: Free Enjoy an old movie the way they were meant to be seen! Movie starts at nightfall. Bring chairs and or blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, August 15 December 31

5 Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Intersection of Iron Brigade Unit Ave and 10th Alabama Way, Bristow Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre Bristow Road, Bristow Ben Lomond Historic Site Sudley Manor Dr, Manassas A Virginia Dynasty: The Carter s of Va. Exhibit at Manassas Museum $5, Manassas Museum open Tue.-Sun., 10am 5pm This exhibition will examine the Carter family s role in the settling of Northern Virginia. Using objects and images borrowed from public and private collections around the state, we will examine how the descendants of Robert Carter lived, the homes they built, the slaves they kept, and their influence in politics, trade and the local social scene. Co-sponsored and hosted by the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas, VA 20110, August 27 Battle of Kettle Run Anniversary Tours 1pm 4 pm; Free, $5 suggested donation Join Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park staff and volunteers on the 153rd anniversary of Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson s capture of Bristoe Station and the Battle of Kettle Run the opening round of what would become the Second Battle of Manassas. This August 27th battle, while small, was bloody and took a heavy toll on the regiments that fought there. Visit the park on the actual anniversary for specialized walking tours that will make this forgotten battle come to life in vivid detail. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, September September American Revolution comes to Dumfries 234rd Anniversary of the March to Yorktown September 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. September 13, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free American Revolutionary war camps with artillery and cavalry, historic trades, and characters will be available to tour. Tours will also be available of the ca Williams Ordinary. Parking located at Dumfries Town Hall with free shuttle bus service provided to Williams Ordinary and Weems Botts Museum. Williams Ordinary, September 12 Ales of the Revolution at Williams Ordinary 7 p.m. $35 per person, reservations required, 21 and older only Experience the 18th century through local and historically inspired beer and food in the area s oldest original tavern. Sample beers while enjoying colonial inspired hors d oeurves. Learn about the history of brewing beer and the roles that taverns played in early American communities. Williams Ordinary, September 12 & 13 World War II Weekend 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Free Admiral Black the last private owner of Rippon Lodge was a WWII veteran and survivor of Pearl Harbor. Learn about daily life of soldiers in the European and Pacific Theatres. World War II living historians will portray Axis and Allied soldiers and will discuss their equipment, armaments and historic military vehicles. Learn about the home front and the many ways that citizens supported the war effort. View collections of original WWII artifacts. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, September 19 Bluegrass at Brentsville 1-5 p.m. $10 per person, $5 PWC employees with ID, children free under six Enjoy the lively sounds of bluegrass bands on the grounds of Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre. Music will be held from 1-5pm with additional activities on the grounds. Buildings will be open for tours and food available for purchase. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre,

6 September 26 Antiques Appraisal Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 per two appraisals Appraisers from Two Guys Antiques in Dumfries will be onsite to appraise your items. Appraisers include; silver, furniture, textiles, paintings, jewelry, glassware, stamps, coins, military, clocks, dolls and porcelain. Please call the site to confirm appraisers and reserve your appraisal time. House tour included with admission; tours on the hour with the last tour at 3pm. Reservations highly suggested. Williams Ordinary, September Prince William County Farm Tour -- Brentsville Stop 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free Join site staff as we learn about farm life here in Brentsville during the 1800s. Tour the 1850 s farm house and learn how Prince William County farmers, free and enslaved. Discover how they lived and worked before electricity and running water. Historic games will also be played throughout the day. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, September 26 Taste of the Potomac at Rippon Lodge 1-7 p.m. $20 per person (includes beer and wine tasting tickets), $10 per non-drinker, $5 for kids over 6, designated drivers are Free Local breweries and wineries will be set-up on the front lawn of Rippon Lodge. Your tasting tickets will get you a tasting at each beer and wine vendor. Local food vendors will also be selling their tasty local treats. Listen to live music while enjoying good food and drinks with a view of the Potomac River. The historic house will be open for tours throughout the day. Hosted by the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation. Funds go to support the future Prince William County Museum at Rippon Lodge. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, September Prince William County Farm Tour -- Ben Lomond Stop 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free Join us at Ben Lomond as we celebrate the local area's farming heritage. See a sheep shearing and wool spinning demonstration, plus take part in hands-on activities such as 19th century laundry, dairy production, harvest your own herbs. Tours of the house are available on the hour. Ben Lomond Historic Site,

7 Summer Camp Schedule offers Several Mainstay Camps and One New One! The 2015 Summer camp season for the Prince William County Historic Preservation Division will feature one new offering in addition to the usual suspects. On July 13th through 17th Rippon Lodge will offer it s extremely popular American Girl Doll Camp featuring Felicity, Caroline, Samantha, Kit, and Molly. Activities will include crafts, games, history, music, snacks and much more. This camp is for girls aged 8 to 12. The charge is $150 per child and registration is required. Folks can register by calling Rippon Lodge at , or on the web at The ever popular Civil War Basic Camp will be offered at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre on July 20th through 24th and at Ben Lomond Historic Site on August 10th through the 14th.Campers will participate in activities designed to develop a better understanding of soldier life during the American Civil War. Activities include Enlist in Virginia s Army, Life in Camp, Did Civil War Soldiers Really Eat that Stuff, Civil War Medicine and a field trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Girls and boys can participate in this camp ages 8 through 12 and the charge is $130 per camper. To register call or on the web at This seasons second new camp entitled Bugs, Butterflies, and Big Trees Camp will be held at Rippon Lodge August 10th through 14th. Campers will learn from local subject matter experts and participate in hands on activities meant to give young folks a better understanding of the natural world. The camp is for folks aged 8 to 12 and registration is required. The cost is $ per child. Interested people can register on line at or by calling Rippon Lodge at The final camp of the 2015 season is the Advanced Civil War Camp held at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre. This camp picks up where the Civil War Basic Camp left off. Activities include advanced foodways, a day with General Lee, Artillery, Cavalry, and a tour of second Manassas Battlefields. The cost is $150 per camper aged 8 to 13. To register call or on the web at For additional information contact David M. Born, Historic Programs Coordinator at or on line at dborn@pwcgov.org American Girl Doll Camp Civil War Camp By: David M. Born Historic Programs Coordinator PWC Historic Preservation Division 7

8 History Stinks! At Ben Lomond Historic Site, we like to be as hands on as possible, hoping to engage as many of our visitors senses as humanly possible. From an officers frock coat that tells the tale of a true love lost, to the fake blood stains on the wall that bear mute testimony to the incalculable suffering of the wounded, visitors are confronted with the grim realities of Civil War soldering everywhere they turn when they tour our site. The surgeon s Capital Kit in the dining room and the pile of bloody bandages in the parlor offer gripping visuals for our visitors but what if they could smell what they were looking at? Well, this July we won t have to wait any longer to find out! We are happy to announce that the Historic Preservation Division will be teaming up with a company called Scent Air to bring you some of the smells that would have pervaded the walls and halls of Pringle House Hospital. We will be incorporating three difference scents into the tour: coffee, wood smoke, and drumroll please gangrene. Now, before you hit the panic button, we will only be offering the smell of gangrene to those folks who request it the other two scents will be released on a timer throughout the day when we are giving tours of the house. With the scent machines in place, we will next turn our sights on offering short audio presentations to incorporate into the tour. We will keep you posted on this audio tour as it develops. Also in Ben Lomond News We are also happy to report that an original writing desk that belonged to William Fitzhugh Lee, who died of wounds received at First Manassas at Pringle House Hospital, will be on loan from Arlington House: The Robert E. Lee Memorial in July! We will display this rare artifact in the very room in which Col. Lee died in July of 1861, so don t miss out on an opportunity to see an original item associated with Ben Lomond s history as a Confederate hospital! Lt. Col. William Fitzhugh Lee Col. Lee s story is told in part by this coat at Ben Lomond Historic Site By: Jimmy Price Site Manager Ben Lomond Historic Site

9 Meet Jeff Joyce: Bristoe Station Battlefield Volunteer One of the hardcore volunteers who assists with giving visitors to Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park excellent and informative guided tours is former United States Air Force officer Jeff Joyce. We recently caught up with Jeff to ask him a few questions about why he chooses to offer his time to the park and what got him interested in the American Civil War. What got you interested in Civil War history? I ve always loved history, particularly military history, and have been a voracious reader since a young age. Civil War history is of special interest to me because two of my Great-Great-Grandfathers fought on the Union side during the war. I m also related to JEB Stuart through his Mother s family. How did you become a volunteer at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park? I visited Bristoe Station several years ago during a Smithsonian-sponsored Civil War tour led by Ed Bearss. I returned in 2012 after reading about battlefield tours being offered and decided to volunteer after talking with Rob Orrison. I ve also been a volunteer at Fort Ward Civil War Museum in Alexandria for over 20 years. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? Meeting new people and sharing my love of Civil War history. I feel that in a small way I m honoring the soldiers that fought at Bristoe Station 150 years ago. Are you a Civil War buff with a desire to share your passion for history with other people? Why not consider becoming a Volunteer Battlefield Guide at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park? We re seeking a select group of knowledgeable enthusiasts to help us give tours of the winter camp, Confederate cemetery, and battlefields that lie within the boundaries of the park. Tours of the park are offered on the 2nd and 4th weekends of every month from May to October, so there are plenty of opportunities to pitch in and lend a hand. Training will be provided. Call the park office at for more information of you re interested! Become a Junior Preservationist Do you love history? Do you enjoy giving back to your community? Are you between the ages of 13-18? Then Join the Historic Preservation Division s Jr. Preservationist Program! Jr. Preservationists can earn community service hours for school, scouts, or other organizations. Get a introduction to the fields of history, historic preservation, archeology, museum education and more. Time commitments are flexible to fit the busy schedules of teens. Contact Kerry Mitchell for more information at or kmitchell2@pwcgov.org 9

10 Meet a Collections Item This past winter has been an incredibly busy one for our staff we took on the job of moving our collections from one storage area to one at our central offices. While it took weeks of work going through each piece in storage, recording, transporting, and then re-homing it it was very much worth it. One of the most rewarding parts of it was taking the time to see all of the artifacts, and to check on their condition. Sometimes there are hidden gems that many of our staff didn t even realize were there and this is the story of one of those gems. On the top of one of our shelves, was a large framed portrait photograph. It s in rough shape; the canvas the image is printed on is torn but the man behind is clear from the 1880 s with a long beard, wearing a nice suit, and a GAR pin. The GAR is the Grand Old Army a fraternal organization of Union veterans from the Civil War. A few more boxes opened and we started piecing things together we had buttons from a uniform, a misers purse, and a sash. And all of these items went with two images of a man wearing his uniform during the civil war, and had small note cards attached describing them as being worn by John William Fawcett when home on furlough from the 104th Ohio Vol. Infantry. Another look- told us that the large portrait is Fawcett and that the collection of artifacts all belonged to him. It seems odd that such a set of artifacts would end up at Rippon and we don t have anything that indicated that Fawcett ever even came to Rippon. What we do know is that Fawcett was born in Virginia, but by 1840 had moved to Ohio. It would take more than a year into the war for Fawcett to join up and then as a 2nd Lieutenant. Over the course of the war he would rise in the ranks to a Captain when he mustered out in John William Fawcett. Courtesy: Sarah Nucci Fawcett was the great grandson of Richard Blackburn the builder of Rippon Lodge. After Fawcett s death, his daughter Louisa visited Rippon and left a detailed description of the home and surrounding areas. Today that description leaves us with a valuable document about Rippon in the 1890s. Louisa describes the gravestone of Richard Blackburn s son, Richard, who drowned at the age of 21 as well as the describing the location of the slave quarters that were dilapidated by the time she visited. Her description provides key information as neither the grave stone nor slave quarters exist today. This document is also telling of Louisa s character and sense of keeping family history. While we were going through the collections we found note after note written in Louisa s handwriting describing the materials wrapped up with the notes. Her diligent note keeping for family heirlooms seems to have passed on to her son Richard Blackburn Black, the last owner of Rippon Lodge, as Richard too has left staff clues to objects in the collection with his notes and signature RBB. We were thrilled to find the portrait of Fawcett as well as so many other items related to him that we have decided to display them at Rippon Lodge from June until October. We invite everyone to come out and see these items which have not been on display since Prince William County acquired Rippon in By: Sarah Nucci, Preservationist & Kerry Mitchell, Interpreter Historic Preservation Division

11 Become a Volunteer! Do you love history, nature and architecture? Give tours, garden, work on special projects, do research, provide educational enrichment to children, work special events. There are many volunteer possibilities within Historic Preservation. Training is provided. Shifts are flexible. Great benefits. Ben Lomond Historic Site Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Rippon Lodge Historic Site Or us at historicpreservation@pwcgov.org Typical tour guide, special event, and education program shifts are Saturday Sunday from 11am 4pm. Volunteers are asked but are not required to work at least one shift per month. Open months are May October. Gardening and natural resource monitoring shifts are scheduled individually by site, weekday and weekend shifts are available. Benefits include; shop discounts, training and tour opportunities at local sites, school credit, special volunteer events and more. Opportunities for teenage volunteers are available with our Junior Preservationist Program. Prince William County Department of Public Works Historic Preservation Division Main Street Dumfries, VA Phone (703) Fax (703) Contact us at: historicpreservation@pwcgov.org (703) Historic Property Rentals (703)