hp_winter 2014.pdf

News About the Preservation of Prince William County’s Historic Resources

Historic Perspectives Winter 2014 Published by the Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division

Ann Blackburn Washington Music Collection

Music was an important part of the educational curriculum for young women in the 18th century. Being accomplished at the harpsichord, piano forte, spinet or guitar were valuable skills. Ann Blackburn, born at Rippon Lodge to Thomas and Christian Blackburn in 1768, was no doubt part of Virginia society that encouraged and even re-quired musical study and performance. Her 1785 marriage at age 17 to Bushrod Washington (George Washington's nephew) further connected the young bride's links to the nation's First Family and musical tastes of the era. Bushrod, a lawyer and later Supreme Court justice, in-herited Mount Vernon in 1799 and Rippon Lodge in 1815. Before her husband inherited these properties, Ann was a frequent guest at Mount Vernon. While little is known about the formal musical education of Ann Blackburn Washington, historians note that Martha Washington re-quired her granddaughter Eleanor "Nelly" Park Custis to practice for several hours each day. As social contempo-raries also related by marriage, it is presumed that Ann and Nelly practiced and performed together. Further evidence of this musical connection can be found at the George Washington Masonic National Memori-al in Alexandria, Virginia. Curators at the architecturally distinctive memorial maintain seven volumes of sheet music that were part of the Washington family's property. Among the nearly 200 pieces are many piano duets published before Ann's death in 1829. The compositions are from European composers such as Beethoven, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Viotti, Paisiello, Dussek, and Cimarosa, including some with vocal accompaniment. American artists Benjamin Carr and Henri Capron also are part of the collection.

Winter Program and Event

Guide Inside!

Continued page, 6

Phot

o by

Reb

ecca

Sup

er

Cover of piano music given to Ann Blackburn Washington by Benjamin Latrobe.

H i s t o r i c P e r s p e c t i v e s

News from the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation

Dear Historic Preservation Partners and Supporters, Prince William County and the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation are collaborating to complete an exciting and innovative historic preservation project at The 1822 Prince William County Jail at the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre. The Jail is the final building to be restored at the 29-acre complex and is the culmination of ten years of preservation efforts at the site. The County and the Foundation are working together to bring this project to fruition, and we need your help. This scope of work details the final restoration phase for the 1822 jail, including the project budget. Although the focus of the fundraising effort is for the interpretive and exhibit portion of the project, the entire project is outlined in this document for your information and comment. Please let me know if you wish to discuss fund-ing opportunities or partnerships with the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity. The Jail is a two-story brick building that sits on a stone foundation and is covered with a standing seam met-al gable roof. One brick interior end chimney rises from the roof. The County has just completed a complete restoration of the masonry. This work included removal and replacement of 3’ of the stone foundation and brick along the bottom perimeter of the building, complete repointing of the interior and exterior, grout of the interior withes of brick and the addition of an interior wall. The total cost of the project was $324,699. This work was crucial to the restoration of the building but it also exhausted a significant portion of the remaining Capital Improvement Project funding. The Historic Preservation Foundation has initiated efforts to fund the interpretive and exhibit program for the Jail. This exciting project is estimated to cost $70,000. To date, $4,000 has been raised. The Foundation is seeking donors for the remaining $66,000. Once this funding is in place, the fully restored and furnished Jail will be opened to the public as a unique interpretive and educational resource. In conjunction with the Foundation, the Historic Preservation Division of Prince William County (HPD) manag-es all aspects of the restoration, maintenance, and interpretation of County owned historic sites. Our operat-ing procedures serve as the guiding principles for the design, stabilization and restoration project include:

Compliance with the Secretary of the In-terior’s Standards for the Treatment of His-toric Properties. Retaining and documenting all significant fabric. Maintainability and flexibility. Developing solutions that account for short-term and long-term costs to maintain long term solutions. Inclusion of regulatory and review mem-bers in the County and with the VA DHR Of-fice, as needed.

Continued Page 3

One of the earliest known photographs of the Brentsville Courthouse from 1909. DC Historical Society/Washington Times “Rambler”

The goal of the project is to restore the historic Brentsville Jail to its antebellum appearance. A significant portion of this work was completed during the masonry phase of the project. The restoration team will investigate the site to uncover any information regarding the original configuration of the Jail. All the orig-inal historic fabric that can be salvaged will be salvaged and repaired. Interpretive Services It is the goal of the restoration team and of the Historic Preservation Division to offer an inclusive and en-gaging interpretive experience for future visitors to the Brentsville Jail. Four of the eight total rooms in the restored Jail will be used as “period” rooms where visitors will engage with the Jail much as it ap-peared in the period from 1820-1860. Traditional interpretive text panels, historical photographs, and cutting-edge technological components will be utilized to illuminate the entire story of the jail and the many varying experiences throughout the course of its history. In striving to engage a wide range of audiences, the primary historical interpretive themes covered in the Jail will include: -The Legal and Social History of Slavery in Prince William County and northern Virginia -Crime and Punishment in 19th Century Virginia -Educational History in late 19th and early 20th Century Virginia, with particular emphasis on Women’s Educational History -The Community History of Brentsville and rural Prince William County from 1800-Present -The role of Architecture, Archaeology, and Preservation in the history of Brentsville Jail In addition to incorporating a wide range of cultural and social experiences, each of the aforementioned interpretive themes offer visitors and residents of the County an opportunity for expanded understanding of local history across a broad chronological framework. This educational content will be buffered by the exten-sive display throughout the Jail of archaeological arti-facts and historical pieces excavated from the building during HPD’s restoration of the Jail from 2010-2013. Your support is critical in helping Prince William Coun-ty and the Historic Preservation Foundation complete this nationally significant project. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments! Happy Holidays and Thank you for your continued support,

Mark Trbovich President, Prince William County Historic Preservation Foundation

H i s t o r i c P e r s p e c t i v e s 3

The Prince William Historic Preservation

Foundation is proud to support Prince

William Coun-ty'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 Or-dinary and the Old Manassas

Courthouse.

For more information on the tree donation program please call 703-792-4754 or send an e-mail to

[email protected]

Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation

Memorial and Recognition Gifts

Tree Donation Program

From Previous Page...


Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge

703-499-9812

Lucasville School 10516 Godwin Dr. Manassas

703-367-7872

The Old Manassas Courthouse 9246 Lee Street, Manassas

703-792-4754

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.

February 8 Prince William County’s “12 Years a Slave” 11:00 AM— 4:00 PM $5.00 per person In 1835, William Hyden was passing his way through Prince William County during his journey from Ohio to Washington D.C. A free African-American, Hyden was arrested as a runaway slave and thrown into the jail at Brentsville. For over a year Hyden was confined to a jail cell before eventually escaping the jail and return-ing to freedom. Join county historians was we explore and compare William Hyden and Samuel Northup, who was recently portrayed in “12 Years A Slave”. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre February 13 Courtship Customs of Centuries Past 7:00 p.m. $30.00 per person $55.00 couple reservations required Join us for this dinner pro-gram on courtship, dating customs and dinner eti-quette of the 18th and 19th century. Space is limited. Please register no later than February 7 to secure space. Please call 703-792-4754 to make reservations. Old Manassas Courthouse

January 16 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor 7:00 p.m.: Free donations accepted In late May and early June of 1864 Generals Robert E. Lee and U.S. Grant clashed at a small tidewater cross-roads at Cold Harbor just outside of Richmond, Virgin-ia. The outcome was indecisive yet one of the bloodiest conflicts of the war. Join historian Ed Sanders of Rich-mond National Battlefield Park for a detailed look at this battle. Old Manassas Courthouse January 30 The Key to the Bulge: The Battle for Losheimergraben 7:00 p.m.: Free dona-tions accepted Join author and histori-an, Stephen M. Rusiecki, for a detailed look into the German winter of-fensive of 1944-45 which originated at a small cross-roads on the German-Belgian boarder. Learn how a battered American Infantry Regiment, the 394th succeeded in blunting the German efforts. This cost the German war machine valuable time and forced the German leadership to shift their war effort further to the South. Mr. Rusiecki will have copies of his book by the same title and his most recent book; In Final Defense of the Reich: the Destruction of the 6th SS Mountain Division available for sale. Old Manassas Courthouse


February 27 The Battle of New Market Heights: Freedom will be Theirs by the Sword 7:00 p.m.: Free donations accepted In the predawn darkness of Septem-ber 29, 1864, black Union Soldiers attacked a heavily fortified position on the outskirts of Richmond known as New Market Heights. In a few hours of desperate fighting, these African American soldiers struck a blow against Gen-eral R.E. Lee’s vaunted Army of Northern Virginia and proved to detractors that they could fight for the free-dom and citizenship for themselves and their enslaved brethren. Fourteen of the black soldiers who stormed the heights were awarded the Congressional Metal of Honor. Author and historian Jimmy Price offers con-siderable insight into the black military experience and will have copies of his book by the same title as the lecture available for sale. Old Manassas Courthouse

March 13 Votes for Women! Votes for Women! Meet Suffragist Mrs. Robert “Mimi” Walker! 7:00 p.m.: Free donations accepted Join historic re-enactor Lynne Garvey-Hodge as Suffra-gist , Mrs. Robert Walker in a one person monologue. Mrs. Walker reveals the story of her arrest in front of The White House on July 14, 1917, subsequent incar-ceration at the Occoquan Workhouse, and passionate participation in the Prison Parades of 1918-1919. Hear her story as a Quaker woman, supported by her entre-preneur husband, her three children, life at her charm-ing Baltimore estate, “Drumquhazle” and membership in Baltimore’s elite “Blue Book” Society. This unique first person character portrayal is offered in commem-oration of National Women’s History Month. Old Manassas Courthouse March 27 The Dogs of War 7:00 p.m.: Free donations accepted Join author and historian Kathleen Kinsolving for this unique look into the favorite pets of some of World War II’s elite personalities from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dog to General George Patton’s bull terrier, Willy. Ms. Kinsolving will present a light hearted look at man’s best friend. Her book, The Dogs of War will be available for purchase. Old Manassas Courthouse

5

Lucasville School Open Weekends

February 1-2 February 8-9

February 15-16 February 22-23

11am- 4pm daily

Free

Lucasville School 10516 Godwin Dr. Manassas

703-367-7872

Visit a reconstructed African American 19th 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.


www.facebook.com/pwhistoric

From Front Cover...

By Rebecca Super, Site Manager, Rippon Lodge Historic Site

Some of the published works include margin notes that indicate the music was given to Ann by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, one of the major architects of the U.S. Capitol. Ann and Bushrod were living in Richmond, Virginia, in the late 1790s. There they met Latrobe - a newcomer to the commonwealth - at the Belvidere estate. The noted ar-chitect quickly became friends with the Washingtons, whom he would later vis-it at Rippon Lodge. Within the music collection at the Masonic Memorial is a set of sonatas for keyboard by Johann Graeff with the inscription "Presented to Ann Washington by Henry Latrobe, Belvidere May 1797." Ann passed away in Philadelphia, just days after her husband. The couple had no children. Her music collection was passed to her niece Jane Charlotte Blackburn, who was married in 1814 to John Augustine Washington. Jane Charlotte added to the music collec-tion which then resided at Mount Vernon where it remained until 1858 when the estate was sold to the Mount Vernon Ladies Associ-ation. The collection stayed in the Washington family's control until the 1920s when it was donated to the Library of Congress and lat-er moved to the Masonic Memorial. One of the seven volumes is currently on display within the Memorial's museum at 101 Callahan Drive.

Inscription from Benjamin Latrobe to Ann Washington, 1797.

Painting of Ann Blackburn Washington that is currently in the collection of the White House


The 1929 Brentsville Schoolhouse was restored to its historic appearance and rededicated in the summer of 2012. This was especially significant as it marked the first time a private donation funded a substantial part of restoring a county-owned historic building. This effort saved Prince William County tax-payers thousands of dollars while demonstrating the determined advoca-cy and leadership of the local preserva-tion community. Without the enthusi-astic work of both the County’s Historic Preservation Commission and Prince William Historic Preservation Founda-tion, it is unlikely that this project would have progressed as smoothly and yielded such a successful result. At one time there were hundreds of small rural schools which served the Virginia School Board and the citizens of the Commonwealth for many years. Now, only Brentsville’s school survives in an unspoiled context within a short drive of the Nation’s Capital. County Historic Preservation Division Staff and inter-ested members of the preservation community have begun to search for items to accurately furnish the interior of the Brentsville School. Luckily, several original sources exist which allowed site staff and vol-unteers to generate a furnishing plan that gives a “snapshot” into life in a rural Northern Virginia town prior to the suburbanization we all live with today. Several items have already arrived and have been placed in the school, after meeting the criteria for in-clusion by the furnishing plan and undergoing conser-vation. One of these items has actually returned to its original location after over 50 years. The original bookcase used in the school was donated this Fall by a local family which still resides in Brentsville. This important piece still has the original paint remaining during its use at school during the Second World War. Like other people who have helped to bring the school house back to life, the family donated the object to support the continued efforts by many contributors to share and educate others about the small but signifi-cant role this building has shared in our heritage. If any readers have items which may fit into the inter-pretation of the Brentsville School please contact Prince William Historic Preservation Division at 703.792.4754 [email protected]

By Mike Riley, Site Manager, Brentsville Courthouse

The following are items to furnish (period approximately ca. 1941):

Teacher’s desk

Bookshelves

Shelf built in closet

Non-working piano

Two oil-lamps

Various sized desks, separated by grade

Rectangular heating stove

Wind-up record player, and a few records

Baseball equipment

Two pairs of boxing gloves

Jump rope

Circle games

39 cups and basin

Globe

Maps

Scissors

Rulers

Restored Schoolhouse Furnishing Underway

School play, spring 1944

Phot

o cr

edit:

Mor

gan

Bre

eden

mailto:[email protected]�


By Jimmy Price, Site Manager, Ben Lomond and Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park

Phot

o C

redi

t: T

im K

erna

n

While you may not be familiar with the name of Nimrod Burke, if you have studied African American participation in the American Civil War you have probably seen his picture before. Burke was one of 54 known African Americans to fight for the Union cause from Prince William County. Unlike most of his comrades-in-arms from Prince William, however, Burke was born a free man and has a tan-gential connection with Ben Lomond Historic Site. Nimrod Burke was born in 1836 in Prince William County, the se-cond son of Joseph and Hannah Burke. He was the great-grandson of “Baptist Billy” Burke, the “most trusted emissary” and slave of Robert Carter III – thus, thanks to the famous “Deed of Gift,” Nim-rod Burke was born a free man. At the time they were emancipated around 1795, Baptist Billy's fam-ily was living at the Bull Run Quarter of Leo Plantation, which was located across the county line from Leo plantation headquarters in Loudoun County. Assuming that these descendants remained in the same general area over the next 40 years, Nimrod Burke may have grown up within a few miles of Ben Lomond. Burke resided in Prince William until 1854, when he moved to Ohio with his parents. The 1860 census lists Nimrod as a “mulatto” whose occupation was simply recorded as “farmer.” He was 25 years old when the Civil War began and, like many African American men his age, he tried to enlist and fight for the Union cause. However, in 1861 the policy of the Lincoln administration was that this was to be a white man’s war only. With a direct route to military service blocked, Burke found a roundabout way to join the war effort. The man that Burke was working for in Ohio prior to the outbreak of the war became an officer in the 36th Ohio. This man knew that Nimrod had been raised in Virginia and would be familiar with the country that they would soon be fighting in, so he hired Burke as a teamster and scout for the regiment before they embarked for Virginia. Burke continued to serve as an army scout until March of 1864. When the 36th Ohio was garrisoned close to Washington D.C., he enlisted in the 23rd United States Colored Infantry and was appointed 1st Sergeant of Company F. The 23rd was organized at Camp Casey, which sat near the present day location of the Pentagon near Robert E. Lee’s beloved Arlington House. The 23rd was the regiment that sustained the heaviest losses of any USCT unit at the infamous Battle of the Crater, but fortunately for Burke, he was in the hospital at the time with what his service record calls “general debility.” Burke returned to health and rejoined his until in October of 1864 and was at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865 when Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia. This was particularly significant for Burke since John Carter, one of Lee’s ancestors, had owned the slave ancestors of Nimrod Burke. He was mustered out of the service in Brazos, Texas on November 30, 1865. Burke lived for nearly 50 years after the war and died on July 15, 1914. He is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Nimrod Burke: Prince William County Freedom Fighter

This image, one of the most iconic images of a black Union soldier, is thought to be of Nimrod Burke. The original image was sold by a member of the Burke family in the 1980’s and wound up in the hands of private collector Tim Kernan, who lives in Ohio

Meet a Collection Item: Jail Restoration Artifacts

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.


While only a few are still visible today, Ben Lomond Historic Site contains the names and drawings of countless Civil War soldiers. One signature that has been covered up with a protective wall paper, is that of John M. Slater. While just a scribble on the wall, who was the man that signed his name nearly 150 years ago? John M. Slater was born in New York around 1837 to George and Hannah Slater. The fourth of nine siblings, John lost his mother in his early teens. The Slaters were a humble family; the head, George was an illiterate farm laborer who owned almost no property. Alt-hough John had attended public school, on the 1860 census his occupation was the same as his father’s. With the coming of the war, John enlisted in the 76th New York Infantry on No-vember 2, 1861 at 25. In the Spring of 1862, John Slater more than likely signed his name on the walls of Ben Lomond. Advanc-ing into Prince William County after the Confederates evacuated the region, many Northern soldiers roamed the area. Many found their way to Ben Lomond, where many signed their names. Signing “John M Slater, 76 NYSV (New York State Volunteers)”, John left the Civil War equivalent of Kilroy from World War II. After signing his name at Ben Lomond, John continued his service in the Union Army. Surviving many bat-tles including 2nd Manassas and Gettysburg, John’s luck eventually ran out. On May 12, 1864, John Slater was killed in action at Spotsylvania Court House. Originally buried at Laurel Hill, John would eventually be interred at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery at grave marker 2912, where he rests today.

By Bill Backus, Historic Interpreter, Ben Lomond Historic Site

Graffiti of John Slater before being covered for conservation at Ben Lomond.

Prince William County Department of Public Works Historic Preservation Division 17674 Main Street Dumfries, VA 22026 Phone (703) 792-4754 Fax (703) 221-7504

Contact us at: [email protected] www.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation (703) 792– 4754 Historic Property Rentals (703) 792– 5546


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!

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.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Rd

Woodbridge, VA

With stunning views of the Potomac River, the vast lawn and outdoor garden set a memorable stage for larger events.

Union Church Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre

12229 Bristow Rd Bristow, VA

Nestled in the heart of historic Brentsville, Union Church is

perfect for small intimate weddings and services.

Call 703-792-5546 or visit www.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation

for more information

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 in-

troduction to the fields of history, historic preservation, archeology, museum education and

more.

Time commitments are flexible to fit the busy sched-ules of teens.

Contact Rebecca Super for more information at 703-499-9812 or [email protected]

Next Issue: 2014 Programs and Events Calendar

Slave Dwelling Project Brentsville Jail Exhibit Design

hp_winter 2014.pdf

Documents