MEMBER & DONOR NEWSLETTER

While optimism is high for 2021, Belle Grove is anxious to know if we may hold our signature events and festivals, which include large group gatherings. In addition, many of our event rentals were postponed to next year. We rely on the income from all these events for 30% of our annual budget.

We also hope to regain visitation volume next year and thus increased Museum Shop sales. We hosted no in-person school or group tours in 2020 and look forward to their return.

Belle Grove is rooted in place, and while we have used and will continue to connect online, there is something special about being here and we want to safely welcome everyone back.

Help us begin 2021 with a firm foundation by considering a year-end gift to Belle Grove. We depend on donations from individuals for a key portion of our budget and we diligently manage these gifts and match them with earned income. Your generosity ensures our bright future ahead—thank you!

With our warmest wishes for a happy holiday,

Suzanne Porter Kristen Laise Board Chair Executive Director

FALL/WINTER 2020

How to Donate • Use the enclosed envelope to

donate by check or credit card.

• Click the “Donate Today” button at bellegrove.org to donate via PayPal (does not require an account, you may use your credit card).

• If you are over 70 and a half years old and have a tax deferred IRA, you may make a “Qualified Charitable Distribution” donation from your IRA directly to Belle Grove without paying taxes on the donated amount, even if you do not itemize tax deductions. Con-sult your IRA trustee for details. Belle Grove’s EIN is 54-1047175.

• Give the gift of stock by contacting Bayliss Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors at 540-545-7700. Reference Belle Grove Inc.’s account #5697-7377 and DTC #0141.

Belle Grove is a 501c3 non-profit organization and your donation is tax deductible and will be acknowledged.

Belle Grove is registered as a charitable organization with the Commonwealth of Virginia and a financial statement is available upon request from the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs.

B elle Grove Plantation’s Board of Directors and staff hope that you and your loved ones

are well and remain well.

We enter this last month of a challenging year with gratitude. Many non-profit organizations like Belle Grove are struggling and some of our favorite local businesses have failed. However, being small makes us nimble and we have been resilient in this pandemic.

We have retained our small paid staff and met core expenses. Thanks to stalwart volunteers, we tackled projects and resumed providing tours to the public in June with safety protocols in place. In late summer and fall we were able to host several outdoor Hite of Excellence Dinner Series events and small weddings.

We are so thankful that longtime supporters immediately reached out this spring with donations to Belle Grove. We were fortunate to utilize the Payroll Protection Program and grants from the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation’s Historic Sites Emergency Grant Fund, Peck Stacpoole Foundation, Virginia Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities CARES Act Humanities Relief Grant Program, the Frederick County Economic Development Authority's Forward Frederick COVID-19 Grant, and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Rebuild VA Grant Fund.

A Benefit to You The CARES Act includes a 2020 tax deduction for donating up to $300 to charities, even if you do not itemize. If you do itemize, the cap on deductions has been lifted. More information at bellegrove.org/support/donate .

For the last several Novembers, Belle Grove has hosted an African American living history program with presentations from the Slave Dwelling Project, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, and local history organi-zations. These are popular, crowded events and that was not safe this year. However, the presenters—Joseph McGill of The Slave Dwell-ing Project, Cheyney McKnight of Not Your Momma's History, and Dontavius Williams of The Chronicles of Adam—were willing to travel to Belle Grove and we took the program virtual. In the photo above, Dontavius Williams presents his compelling storytelling program to the Zoom screen. An advantage of an online program was that we could welcome people from all around the country and had participants from as far away as California, Florida, Illinois, and Canada. The questions and conversation with the presenters were dynamic and interesting. Thank you to Crescent Cities Charities for their grant for this program. Recordings of the talks and more about Belle Grove’s history with the Slave Dwelling Project may be found at tinyurl.com/y2r7b8yx

Another recent Zoom program was the talk about Francis Hunnewell, the last owner of Belle Grove, that Executive Director, Kristen Laise gave at the 2020 annual meeting. It featured new insights gained in transcribing the journal he kept in his 35-year ownership of the property. A re-cording is at: tinyurl.com/y4jpo4ko

As pandemic news continued to worsen this fall, it was clear that Christmas 2020 at Belle Grove would have to change. There was an air of “bah humbug” as we canceled all the indoor social events. However, staff members Jessica Jenkins and Kelynn Powell wondered if Belle Grove could host a Christmas Market. This seemed like a perfect time to give it a try, so they hustled to plan it and on December 5 and 6, we held a “Kris Kringle Outdoor Market.”

In addition to providing a safe shopping experience for guests, we were inspired to do this event to support local artisans and businesses who have lost revenue this year. There were socially distant vendors in the Welcome Center and many more outside, Storytime with Santa, Belle Grove’s hot spiced tea, and hot mulled wine from North Mountain Vineyard and Winery.

The event was well attended, the vendors were successful, and the Museum Shop broke all previous sales records by a substantial margin (and even had a line out the door so that safe numbers could be maintained in the building). Each Manor House tour (limited to just 10 guests) was sold out. The feedback was so positive that it seems a new holiday tradition is born!

BELLE GROVE PLANTATION MEMBER & DONOR NEWSLETTER FALL/WINTER 2020

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY IN THE COVID ERA PAGE 2

On March 13, 2020, my senior

year at James Wood High School

was quickly changed due to

COVID 19. My family had made

plans for spring pictures and start-

ed to plan my senior graduation.

All of these things were being

canceled one by one. We were all

starting to feel a little defeated.

When we heard that Ashley Miller

was taking pictures for seniors for

free to help out seniors and their

families, we were so excited to

have something positive to look

forward to. With my mom unable

to work at this time due to COVID

this was going to be a big

blessing. We met at Belle Grove

where Ashley took pictures. My

family and I are so grateful to both

Belle Grove and Ashley for such a

generous and thoughtful gift.

These pictures mean so much to

our family.

Photo by Ashley Miller

This year Belle Grove became a popular photo shoot location for graduates, wedding couples, expectant parents, and families. At this time when family meant more than ever, we were honored to facilitate these special moments. Below graduate Ben Saupp shares what this meant to him.

https://www.facebook.com/ashleyalmillerphotography/inbox/?mailbox_id=606157796517674&selected_item_id=1725921913

PAGE 3

A HOMESPUN HOLIDAY AT BELLE GROVE

Belle Grove is open for touring until December 30, with guided tours Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. On Friday and Saturday evenings, 4-8 p.m., are self-guided tours with the Manor House lit by candlelight and live music in the Parlor. The Museum Shop is open during all touring hours and has unique gifts and local products from area artists, artisans, and farms. Some items are also available at www.bellegrove.org. Please check our website or call 540-869-2028 to confirm our hours as they are subject to change.

This holiday we are highlighting crafts to celebrate the display of the Shenandoah Valley Tapestry in the Beverley B. Shoemaker Welcome Center. This community stitching project began in 2015 by the Winchester Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America and the Multicultural Club College of Frederick County. It depicts in needlework historic sites in Winchester and Frederick County from the painting Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia by Page Huff Dillon, which in turn, was inspired by the book Defend the Valley by Margaretta Barton Colt. Eighty-one stitchers of all skill levels and ages, from across five states and from abroad, worked on the Tapestry. It was completed in 2018. Through outreach events, 1,400 community members also made one stitch in this unique artwork. As part of this exhibit, you are invited to “take a stitch” in a piece that features Belle Grove’s Plantation Office and Store.

A BRIGHTER YEAR AHEAD Belle Grove staff will tackle several projects this winter, including completing an exhibit on the findings and artifacts discovered in the archaeology of the enslaved quarter site at Belle Grove. Generous support from the James R. Wilkins Charitable Trust, the Battlefield Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Crescent Cities Charities, and the Peck Stacpoole Foundation will make this new exhibit possible. We are delighted to continue working with lead archaeologist Matthew Greer and a team of researchers and students who are continually finding new insights about the 53,000 artifacts that have been discovered.

In addition, Dr. David Hixon, who directed a student field school at the Belle Grove enslaved quarter site, was successful in obtaining a significant grant from Epic Games for computer mapping of Belle Grove. This project will virtually recreate the plantation landscape in its precolonial, 1790-1840, and early 1900s context using existing data from historians and archeologists, drone footage, other photography, and maps. This simulation will emphasize the pre-Civil War landscape as viewed by the African Americans who were enslaved at Belle Grove. The example above is one image from the project in progress. In it an enslaved man is put at the exact spot where the quarter site was located. This is what his historical view would have been looking toward the Plantation Office and Store. When the project is complete, a visitor may put on a virtual reality headset and experience the plantation landscape as it was in the circa 1800.

Our hope is that 2021 will be a busy year of rescheduled events, but if it cannot be, we have many ideas for more virtual outreach to schools and universities. We will continue to forge ahead with property improvements and research. We will also pursue safe options for outdoor activities and programs. Your support through this uncertainty gives Belle Grove the most flexibility in meeting our mission, serving our community, and remaining relevant and vibrant through it all.

BELLE GROVE PLANTATION MEMBER & DONOR NEWSLETTER FALL/WINTER 2020

Belle Grove Petite Point by Diane E. Trobaugh in the Shenandoah Valley Tapestry

Belle Grove Plantation P. O. Box 537 336 Belle Grove Road Middletown, VA 22645 540-869-2028 info@bellegrove.org www.bellegrove.org facebook.com/BelleGrove twitter.com/BelleGrove1797 instagram.com/bellegrove1797 2020 Board of Directors: Suzanne Porter, Chair John Clancey, Chair Elect John Adamson, Vice Chair Sandra Dunkle, Secretary Robert Mowery, Treasurer R. Ben Weber, Assistant Treasurer Candace Clinedinst Suzanne Conrad Katie Harvard Melanie Henry Robert Nieweg Susan Old Michael Perry Matthew Shaffer Beverley B. Shoemaker H. Wayne Sulfridge Matt Ubben Autumn Walakira Staff: Kristen Laise Executive Director

Dennis Campbell Buildings & Grounds Supervisor

Jessica Jenkins Outreach Coordinator

Kelynn Powell Museum Shop Coordinator

Rich Coyle Programs Assistant

JoAnn Grooms Visitor Services

Belle Grove is so grateful to every person who donated time and funds this year. We particularly thank and acknowledge the following exceptional individual, corporate, and Hite of Excellence Dinner Series sponsors, and the Madison, Heritage, and President’s Society level members.

Mr. Eric Jacobs & Mrs. Kim Jacobs Ms. Jane Johnson KEE Construction Services Mrs. Diane Kline Mr. Richard Leith & Mrs. Lyne Leith Ms. Letty Lynn Makenest Interiors Mr. Michael Marcheterre & Mr. Craig Morris Estate of Suzanne White McKown Mr. Robert Mowery Mr. Steve Muha & Mr. Chris Pollock National Trust for Historic Preservation Battlefield Preservation Fund Historic Sites Fund Mr. Robert Nieweg & Ms. Kelly Ferris North Mountain Vineyard and Winery Mrs. Krista Foster Mr. William Old & Mrs. Susan Old Ms. Marilyn Peck Peck Stacpoole Foundation Perry Engineering Company Mr. Michael Perry & Mrs. Susan Perry Ms. Suzanne Porter River 95.3 Mrs. Patricia Robinson Shaffer’s BBQ & Market Mr. Matthew Shaffer & Mrs. Julie Shaffer Shenandoah Animal Hospital Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation Historic Sites Emergency Grant Mr. Don Strand & Mrs. Linda Sue Strand Ms. Michele Sunderlin Dr. H. Wayne Sulfridge ThermoFisher Dr. John Tole & Mrs. Judy Tole Dr. Thomas Truban & Mrs. Melissa Truban Dr. Matthew Ubben & Dr. Candace Clinedinst United Bank Violino Ristorante Italiano Virginia Humanities CARES Act Emergency Operations Grant Mr. Richard Walsh & Mrs. Margaret Walsh Mr. R. Ben Weber & Mrs. Kirsta Weber James R. Wilkins Charitable Trust Mr. George B. Williams & Mrs. Mary Jane Williams Mr. Francis Hunnewell Williams & Ms. Keris Salmon Woodstock Café Ms. Nikki Grant & Mr. Jose Arevalos Col. Charles W. Yerkes & Mrs. Jane Yerkes Mr. Peter Zarrella & Mrs. Peggy Zarrella

THANK YOU 2020 SPONSORS AND DONORS

Belle Grove Plantation is one of the 27 historic sites of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Since 1977, it has been operated and funded by Belle Grove, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization.

Mr. John Adamson & Mrs. Barbara Adamson Mr. Frederick S. Andreae & Mrs. Christine Andreae Benjamin Moore & Company Bonnie Blue Southern Market and Bakery Mrs. Donna Bowen Ms. Robin Bowie James L. & Mary Jane Bowman Charitable Trust Mrs. Beverley B. Shoemaker Dr. Bryon Brill & Ms. Kathy Kanter The Caring Touch Mr. David Carne Ms. Carolyn Carney Carper’s Wood Creations Mr. William Carper Cassaday and Company Mr. John Clancey & Mrs. Virginia Clancey Ms. Nancy Lee Comer Mr. John T. Conrad & Mrs. Suzanne Conrad Commonwealth of Virginia Rebuild VA Grant Fund Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Cooper’s Jewelers Copper Fox Distillery Mr. Rick Wasmund & Mrs. Chelsea Wasmund Mr. Richard Coyle & Mrs. Regina Coyle Crescent Cities Charities Mr. Jerry Dabrowski & Mrs. Terry Dabrowski Mr. Paul Delmerico & Mrs. Miranda Delmerico Anonymous Gift given in memory of Ellen B. Dever Ms. Susan DeVogel & Mr. Alan Zabel Mr. Richard Dunkle & Mrs. Sandy Dunkle Epic Games, MegaGrant Program Frederick County Economic Development Authority Forward Frederick COVID-19 Grant First Bank Mrs. Sue Fulghum Mr. James S. Gable & Mrs. Lisa Gable Garden Club of Virginia Mr. James E. Getz & Mrs. Rita Getz Griffin Tavern & Restaurant Mrs. Debbie Donehey & Mr. Jim Donehey Mr. Gary Haddox & Mrs. Valerie Haddox Ms. Roberta Hardebeck Mr. Scott Harvard & Mrs. Katie Harvard Ms. Melanie Henry The Hite Family Association Ms. Paula Hite & Mr. Fabrice LeDuigou Mr. Ray W. Hite & Mrs. Janice Hite Mr. William T. Housum Jr. Mr. Joel Howard & Mrs. Linda Howard

Belle Grove Plantation is a partner in the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. The Park was founded in 2002 and is a partnership between the National Park Service, four non-profit organizations, and one municipality.