Historic Perspectives

Transcription

1 Photo by Rob Orrison Historic Perspectives News About the Preservation of Prince William County s Historic Resources Winter 2015 Published by the Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division The Barnes House Moves to the Montclair Library The Prince William Board of County Supervisors recently added two new libraries into the County Capital Improvement Plan. One of the libraries will be in Montclair. Construction of the Montclair library stated in early summer with a late fall 2015 opening date. The Montclair library is unique in that it will also have a historic home located on the property. The Barnes House was saved from destruction in 2004, the house sat along Dumfries Road in the Independent Hill area of the County. The Virginia Department of Transportation bought the house and condemned it for the RT 234 widening project. The Board of County Supervisors then directed staff to work with VDOT to acquire and save the residence. The Barnes House is a late 18th, early 19th century Vernacular Hall and Parlor-style house, representing the Tidewater influence of architecture in Prince William County. It is an extremely rare style for the County, not many are left. The building itself is important to preserve and the exterior and interior are little changed from the original building. Most buildings undergo numerous building periods during their life. The lack of alterations allows the County to restore the building to the late 18th century, telling the story of the Barnes family. The Barnes House is associated with Eppa Barnes and his wife Amanda Lambert Barnes. They married in Prince William County in Eppa, enslaved until the American Civil War, and his wife Amanda, documented in the 1860 s census as Free. Eppa owned over 300 acres after the war and was a successful farmer. Amanda was a well know mid wife. Together Eppa and Amanda raised at least 12 children in the five room home. Continued page, 6 Winter Program and Event Guide Inside!

2 News from the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation Happy Holidays, First, let me wish all of you the happiest of holidays. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza tis the season to celebrate time with family, and that at the coldest part of winter will be followed by the warm days of spring. This year I m looking forward to celebrating with our youngest grandson Aaron, and look forward to spending this magical time of year with all of my grandchildren. This year has been a year of growth for the foundation. In October we hosted our first Taste of the Potomac fundraiser at Rippon Lodge with two local breweries, a winery, several restaurants, and two foot-tapping bands! We all enjoyed ourselves and had a wonderful time. 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! We d say we are entering our quieter months, but we re just getting started! 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! Happy Holidays, pwhistoric

3 James Cook of Brentsville rguably the most significant period in A Prince William County was the Civil War. While our focus has mainly been on the wartime years, events taking place in the immediate aftermath have generally been overlooked. One event highlights the chaos of a new society rising from the ashes of the Civil War. In January 1866, less than a year after Appomattox, a violent event transpired in front of the Brentsville jail. James Cook, a former slave of Eppa Hunton prior to the war, gained his freedom due to the Civil War. While he claimed that he had served in the U. S. Army during the latter part of the war, it is unclear if he was a soldier in the United States Colored Troops or an army teamster. Regardless of the details of his service, Cook was proud of his wartime service and was speaking proudly of it in front of the jail. John Cornwell, a former Confederate soldier, was quickly incensed that a former slave could be proud of fighting against the Confederacy. Cornwell soon began to curse, berate, and threaten Cook, to the point that Cook started to walk away to get away from this verbal assault. Not content, Cornwell followed Cook exclaiming You d d black yankee son of a b h I will kill you! and produced a pistol and fired at Cook. Fortunately for him the bullet passed through this clothing but didn t hit him. Cornwell then caught up with the Cook and started to beat him with his pistol. Dragging Cook back to the front of the jail while continuing to assault him, Cornwell caused such a commotion that Marcus Hopkins, the Freedmen s Bureau agent for Prince William County was aroused from his Brentsville office. With the approach of Hopkins, Cornwell quickly vacated the area. Bringing Cook to his office, Hopkins summoned the sole doctor in town, Dr. C. H. Lambert. When Lambert arrived he began to berate Cook stating that Cook s assault was a good lesson and yelling Subdued and miserable as we are, we will not allow n*****s to come among us and brag about having been in the yankee army. It is as much as we can do to tolerate it in white men. Hopkins quickly escorted the physician out of his office. John Cornwell would not be charged with assault. Writing to his superior in Washington, Hopkins wrote that the many whites in Prince William County...hold an insane malice against the freedman, from which he must be protected, or he is worse off than when he was a slave. By Bill Backus, Historic Interpreter, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 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. January January29 Lecture: Mission to Tokyo 7pm: Free, donations accepted Author and Historian Robert F. Dorr will speak about the experiences of American airmen in the Pacific and his own experience researching and writing about them. The talk is drawn from his book, "Mission to Tokyo," a character-driven, Stephen Ambrose-style history of B-29 Superfortress bomber crews and their leaders in World War II. Bob says he has some new insights into the final months of the allies' war against Japan, including the March 10, 1945, firebombing of the Japanese capital and the bombing of Hiroshima. Bob's presentation includes real-life characters as diverse as Curtis LeMay and Yoko Ono, and even a couple of little-known facts about the Pentagon. Old Manassas Courthouse, February February 21 Up From Slavery: The African American Experience at Ben Lomond 11am-4pm; $5 per person Ben Lomond Historic Site is proud to present special guided tours and living history presentations in recognition of African American History month. Visitors can explore the historic home and the original slave quarter to learn about the enslaved population living at Ben Lomond in the years before the Civil War. Renowned slave interpreter Marion Dobbins will give a riveting first person performance on the life of a female salve. Ben Lomond Historic Site, February 26 Lecture: Air Cav Reminiscences of a Vietnam Veteran 7pm: Free, donations accepted In commemoration of both Black History Month, and the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War, join us for a unique look at the war in Vietnam as told by Mr. John Davis, US Army retired, an African- American soldier who served in D Troop 3rd squadron 5th Cavalry which was a reconnaissance branch of the 9th Infantry Division. Air Cav was a new concept during the Vietnam War. John will recount his experiences while in country Old Manassas Courthouse, March March Lee s Retreat to Appomattox Two Day Bus Tour $350 per person (inquire on double occupancy rates), two lunches, one dinner, and hotel room included in price, reservations required To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Lee s surrender at Appomattox, this tour will follow in the footsteps of Lee and Grant s armies from Petersburg to Appomattox. Participants will get a behind the scenes view into one of America s biggest dramas and see where our nation was reunited. Tour will include admission to Petersburg National Battlefield Park, Sailor s Creek Battlefield State Park, Appomattox National Historic Park, Museum of the Confederacy-Appomattox and various other stops along the retreat route. Tour includes transportation, all meals and overnight lodging. For reservations, call Ben Lomond Historic Site at

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 March 26 Lecture: Vietnam: Through a Marines Eyes 7 pm: Free, donations accepted As we remember the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam war welcome historian Bill Peters for Vietnam: Through a Marine s Eyes, a non-political slide presentation detailing and showcasing America s fight against communism in Vietnam between 1969 and Old Manassas Courthouse, March 28 Egg Hunt 11am-4pm; $5 per child, $2 per adult and children 2 and under free. Eggs have been hidden all over Rippon Lodge and we need your help to find them. Egg Hunts will be at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30. Hunts will be separated by age groups. Enjoy fun kid friendly games and crafts all day long. The Prince William County Sheriff s Department will be on hand providing Indent-A-Child cards for interested parents. Bring a picnic and make a day of it. House tours available. Bring your own basket for egg collecting. All other activities will be ongoing throughout the day. Please bring exact change to speed entrance process. Rip- pon Lodge Historic Site, March 28 CWT Annual Park Clean Up Day Bristoe Station Battlefield 8am 12pm Join the staff at Bristoe Station Battlefield and the Civil War Trust for Park Day Park Day is a nationwide event that encourages Civil War enthusiasts to help maintain, restore and preserve Civil War sites through volunteerism. Come out and join us for a fun and rewarding day of work at Bristoe Battlefield. Projects will include litter pick up, cleaning cemeteries and trail maintenance throughout the 133-acre park. Wear sturdy work shoes, bring gloves and remember sunscreen. Tools and snacks will be provided. Meet in the parking lot off Iron Brigade Avenue. Please no pets. Bristoe Station Battlefield Herit- Lucasville School Open Weekends February 1 February 7-8 February February February 28 11am- 4pm daily Free Lucasville School Godwin Dr. Manassas Visit a reconstructed African American 19 th century school used by the community of Lucasville. Learn surprising facts of African American history in Prince William County and throughout the Northern Virginia region. 5

6 Photo by Rob Orrison From Front Cover... Virtual Volunteering With Historic Preservation Amanda was known locally for her beautiful flowers that greeted motorists on Dumfries Road. Today, Montclair is well known for its landscaping and flowers, an appropriate new home for the Barnes House. The residence has become an important link to the post-civil War African American experience in Prince William County. The County will restore the building and it will become a place for library patrons, tourists, and school children to learn about the significant African American history of our County. In our next issue learn about Bushy Park and its move to the new library in Haymarket. In January of 2014 the Prince William County Historic Preservation Division inaugurated a new way for people to volunteer. The Virtual Volunteer Program allows digital copies of manuscripts in our archives to be ed to volunteers for transcription. One of our first Virtual Volunteers is Donna Donlin. Donna has transcribed nearly a hundred pages of manuscripts, ranging from letters written during the Colonial era and journal entries penned by Civil War soldiers to official government documents detailing claims for damages caused by the Civil War. Living in Prince William County since 1962, the history of our area and it s preservation for future generations has always interested Donna. Virtually volunteering from the beginning of the program, I have enjoyed learning about the different people and things that were going on back in the days of the Civil War and afterward. Some of Donna s favorite documents to work with are diaries written by soldiers. Donna s superb work has helped make our achieves more accessible to the public. If you are interested in volunteering with the Historic Preservation Division in person or virtually please call or historicpreservation@pwcgov.org for more information. By Brendon Hanafin, Division Chief, Historic Preservation Division By Bill Backus, Historic Interpreter, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre March Lee s Retreat to Appomattox To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lee s surrender at Appomattox, this tour will follow in the footsteps of Lee and Grant s armies from Petersburg to Appomattox. $350 per person includes transportation, meals and lodging. Call for more information and to make reservations.

7 2015 History Lecture Series Old Manassas Courthouse, 9248 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA History Unfolded in Your Own Backyard. Join us as we explore the significance of our past. Lectures begin at 7 p.m.; no reservations required; FREE January 29 Mission To Tokyo Author Robert F. Dorr will speak about the experiences of American airmen in the Pacific and his own experience researching and writing about them. The talk is drawn from his book, "Mission to Tokyo," a character-driven, Stephen Ambrose-style history of B-29 Superfortress bomber crews and their leaders in World War II. Bob says he has some new insights into the final months of the allies' war against Japan, including the March 10, 1945, firebombing of the Japanese capital and the bombing of Hiroshima. Bob's presentation includes real-life characters as diverse as Curtis LeMay and Yoko Ono, and even a couple of little-known facts about the Pentagon. February 26 Air Cav Reminiscences of a Vietnam Veteran In commemoration of both Black History Month, and the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War, join us for a unique look at the war in Vietnam as told by Mr. John Davis, US Army retired, an African-American soldier who served in D Troop 3rd Squadron 5th Cavalry which was a reconnaissance branch of the 9th Infantry Division. Air Cav was a new concept during the Vietnam War. John will recount his experiences while in country. For additional information contact, David M. Born, Historic Programs Coordinator March 26 Vietnam: Through a Marine s Eyes As we remember the 50th anniversary of US Marines landing in Vietnam, welcome retired US Marine Bill Peters for Vietnam: Through a Marine s Eyes, a non-political slide presentation detailing and showcasing America s fight against communism in Vietnam between 1969 and Bill was an infantry platoon commander in Vietnam and will show us in detail the numerous challenges faced by his platoon of grunts on a daily basis. April 30 Missing in America Project: You are not Forgotten! Join Representatives of the Missing in America Project as they give details of their mission to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. Their intention is to provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes. May 21 The 1945 War In the Pacific Representatives from the United States Marine Corps Historic Company will give an in depth program on two of the most important amphibious operations in the Pacific Theater during the final year of World War II. The landings on Iwo Jima, code name Operation Detachment and on Okinawa, code name Operation Iceberg were conducted in an effort to achieve a strong foothold from which mainland Japan could be attacked. Casualties on Iwo Jima were staggering and the landing at Okinawa was the largest amphibious operation of World War II. Inclement Weather Policy: In the event of inclement weather. If Prince William County Public Schools are closed, or school activities are cancelled the Lecture Series is cancelled as well. Updates will be posted on our Facebook page as well. Find us on Facebook at Prince William County Historic Preservation Foundation Prince William County Department of Public Works Historic Preservation Division historicpreservation@pwcgov.org

8 Meet a Collection Item: Sugar Ration Coupon The Historic Preservation Division is the caretaker of thousands of items that can be seen at our historic sites. Large and small, they include: furniture, paintings, archeological artifacts, plants, photographs, and other items which help to tell the story of our sites. Join us for a journey through collections. n the days following the Japanese attack on I Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, America mobilized for war. While the most obvious signs were the enlistment, training, and deployment of troops overseas to join the war, the home front also began to change. Civilian factories, boats, and other equipment were quickly pressed into service preparing the country for war. Americans imported large amounts of sugar from the Philippines, but when Japan conquered the country in early 1942, the US began to feel the pinch. On May 4, 1942, the US began to ration the consumption of sugar on the home front. Family members registered to receive their ration book which contained coupons for purchasing sugar, and later other goods. Having a coupon meant that you could buy that item, in this case sugar, if the store had the item AND you could afford to pay for it. The Prince William County Historic Preservation Division has one of these 5 lb coupons in its collection ( ). During the war each person was allotted 12 oz of sugar per week, which totaled 39 pounds of sugar per year. Compare that to today, when the average American consumes more than 100 pounds of sugar per year. The shortage of sugar, as well as later rationing of milk and eggs, inspired those on the home front to do without. Cookbooks were published and distributed to help create dishes that were delicious and made do with the new restricted rations. While these rations were still in place during the holidays, cookbooks such as, The American Woman s Cookbook from 1943 published recipes, such as the following one, to help stretch the rations that much further. By Sarah Nucci, Preservationist, Historic Preservation Division Sugar ration coupon. ( ) Honey Gingerbread 1 ½ cups sifted flour ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ cup sugar ½ teaspoon cloves 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 egg, well beaten ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ cup milk or water ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup honey ½ teaspoon ginger ¼ cup melted shortening Sift the first 8 ingredients together. Combine egg, milk, honey, and shortening. Combine liquid and dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into greased (9x12 inch) pan and bake in slow oven (325) about 40 minutes. If you try this recipe please share photos and results on our facebook page at: 8

9 Become a Junior Preservationist Do you love history? Do you enjoy giving back to your community? 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! 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 Rebecca Super for more information at or rsuper@pwcgov.org 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 Nestled in the heart of historic Brentsville, Union Church is perfect for small intimate weddings and services. Call or visit for more information 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)