Preservation of historical sites

[Rhatkinson]

In the Lincoln assassination realm, we are very fortunate to have so many of the historical sites associated with the crime and flight preserved. The town of Port Royal especially comes to mind when you consider the number of existing homes that were there in 1865.

Today is the 150th anniversary of the attack on Ft. Wagner in my home state of SC. As all here surely know, this was the battle depicted in the movie "Glory". In trying to find the fort myself a few years ago, I was very disappointed to learn that practically nothing of it remains. Unlike the growth of shoreline in places like NYC from earlier times, the shore that Ft. Wagner was on literally was swallowed by the ocean. At least it wasn't ruined by human construction, but it still is sad that such historical places are not preserved. Here's a picture showing the fort then and what remains now:

   
   

Also, if you haven't seen it in awhile, the final battle scene in "Glory" is really well done (it starts at around the 2:30 mark of the video below.) I take some solace in feeling compelled to pull for the 54th against my ancestors in the movie by the fact that the CSA actually won the battle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NYB67m1ccg

[RJNorton]

Thank you for posting this, Heath. For a few years I was able to use this movie in my classroom. When Glory was released, PepsiCo was so impressed with the movie that it sent a free, edited version to thousands of schools nationwide. The most violent scenes and some language were edited out. The principal brought the movie to me and asked me to use it in class if I had the time.

[BettyO]

Thanks, Heath! Preservation is so very, very important for so many reasons.

Glory is one of my favorite movies....

[Matt Macoubrie]

Heath, preservation is so key and I am glad you are educating people on that! For instance, I heard that the point where Washington crossed the Delaware was going to be taken out . . . explain that one? It is so sad to see historical places go under. In addition, I remember touring Madison's home at Montpeiler, and it was sad to think that someone tore down his house just to make it the way the new owner wanted it. I could never understand that, and it is sad to think that people care that little about historical sites here in the United States. If I were to live in a president's home . . . I certaintly would restore it so that generations and generations could enjoy it. I might never get to see the effects of my work, but my kids and their kids will, which is why preservation is SOOOOO important! Way to go Heath!

[Gene C]

Those dirt forts along the coast & rivers are especially hard to preserve. (water and weather erosion) Fort Fisher in Wilmington, NC and Fort Donelson in Dover, TN are the only fairly well preserved ones I can remember.

[L Verge]

If you are familiar with the Point Lookout Prison Camp run by the Union in Southern Maryland, you probably know that most of the remains of it are under many feet of water. It was on a peninsula where the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay come together, and time and tide did their work. It has been an on-going project of underwater archaeology for years.

Surratt House is owned and maintained by a government agency that oversees approximately 50 historic sites ranging from archaeological sites to mansions of the 1700s, a variety of 19th-century structures (houses, tenant houses, churches, graveyards, a dueling ground, and benevolent society halls), and even the world's oldest continuously operating airport where the Wright brothers taught the army how to fly (College Park Airport and Aviation Museum).

Preservation is very expensive and usually last on the totem pole when it comes time for budget talks. Also, not every site is worthy of preservation. Those that tell important local, state, or national history or relate to important growth in our country or are architectural gems have to come first.

[Jim Garrett]

(07-18-2013 10:35 AM)L Verge Wrote:  If you are familiar with the Point Lookout Prison Camp run by the Union in Southern Maryland, you probably know that most of the remains of it are under many feet of water. It was on a peninsula where the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay come together, and time and tide did their work. It has been an on-going project of underwater archaeology for years.

Surratt House is owned and maintained by a government agency that oversees approximately 50 historic sites ranging from archaeological sites to mansions of the 1700s, a variety of 19th-century structures (houses, tenant houses, churches, graveyards, a dueling ground, and benevolent society halls), and even the world's oldest continuously operating airport where the Wright brothers taught the army how to fly (College Park Airport and Aviation Museum).

Preservation is very expensive and usually last on the totem pole when it comes time for budget talks. Also, not every site is worthy of preservation. Those that tell important local, state, or national history or relate to important growth in our country or are architectural gems have to come first.

Tell that to the owner of Rich Hill.

[L Verge]

Jim,

We have been trying to for over two years! The executive board of the Surratt Society sent two letters first - one to home and the other to his law office. No response. We also advised the Charles County Historical Society to do the same. No response. The Charles County Historic Preservation Commission called me near the end of last year to verify history of Rich Hill and to get my advice. He has not responded to their letters either.

He is a long-time delegate for this area in the state legislature as well as a well-known attorney. There's a long story there. There are regulations centered around "demolition by neglect." Whether or not they will be applied in this case, is a good question.

[Gene C]

(07-18-2013 04:01 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Jim,

We have been trying to for over two years! The executive board of the Surratt Society sent two letters first - one to home and the other to his law office. No response. We also advised the Charles County Historical Society to do the same. No response. The Charles County Historic Preservation Commission called me near the end of last year to verify history of Rich Hill and to get my advice. He has not responded to their letters either.

He is a long-time delegate for this area in the state legislature as well as a well-known attorney. There's a long story there. There are regulations centered around "demolition by neglect." Whether or not they will be applied in this case, is a good question.

How about letters to the editorial of the local paper, articles on the history of the property, the local Chamber of Commerce, and is there a local weekly community paper, All without naming any names...just "the owner of the Rich Hill propery" Have you thought about contacting the leadership of his and his opposing political party. They love stuff like this. Try to turn it into a public issue.

[J. Beckert]

The first thing I noticed about Rich Hill were the replacement windows, which aren't even close to being historically accurate. Whomever started the renovation years ago didn't have any historic preservation in mind. From what I saw in March, it's still salvageable, but time is running out for that old house.

[L Verge]

Agreed, Joe. The original "restoration" was done in the mid-1970s so that it could be considered part of the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. That was when all of the 19th-century appendages that Booth would have seen were removed so that only the 18th-century main block still stands. Over the years, however, tenants have done their share of damage.

I was told by the county several years ago that most of the land had been sold to a developer, but that the house and a small amount of acreage would be preserved. I think the original development plans have gone belly-up, and the house has been sitting vacant for several years now. It was originally owned by one of George Washington's doctors (maybe the one who owned the leeches?), so there is more than just Civil War history there.

Gene - as far as my leading a media blitz to save it: Joe calls me a lightning rod because I manage to irritate the types of people who come back for revenge. Therefore, I will pass on the assignment. It really should come from the historical community and government in Charles County, too. I am a resident of Prince George's.

[LincolnMan]

I've just been notified that there were be a rededication of Detroit's GAR Hall in Novemeber 2013. However, it took private investors to fund the restoration and preservation of this historical landmark.

[Jim Garrett]

(07-18-2013 04:01 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Jim,

We have been trying to for over two years! The executive board of the Surratt Society sent two letters first - one to home and the other to his law office. No response. We also advised the Charles County Historical Society to do the same. No response. The Charles County Historic Preservation Commission called me near the end of last year to verify history of Rich Hill and to get my advice. He has not responded to their letters either.

He is a long-time delegate for this area in the state legislature as well as a well-known attorney. There's a long story there. There are regulations centered around "demolition by neglect." Whether or not they will be applied in this case, is a good question.

Reminds me of what I refer to as the Oliver T. Carr syndrome. It's my property and I'll do with it as I please, history be damned.

[DKEast]

(07-29-2013 07:34 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  

(07-18-2013 04:01 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Jim,

We have been trying to for over two years! The executive board of the Surratt Society sent two letters first - one to home and the other to his law office. No response. We also advised the Charles County Historical Society to do the same. No response. The Charles County Historic Preservation Commission called me near the end of last year to verify history of Rich Hill and to get my advice. He has not responded to their letters either.

He is a long-time delegate for this area in the state legislature as well as a well-known attorney. There's a long story there. There are regulations centered around "demolition by neglect." Whether or not they will be applied in this case, is a good question.

Reminds me of what I refer to as the Oliver T. Carr syndrome. It's my property and I'll do with it as I please, history be damned.

I noted on my April 15th tour that Rich Hill looks like it is being renovated? There were two state or county workers there looking over new on site gravel and the house looked like it was ready to receive new paint maybe before the anniversary?

[L Verge]

Work has begun on stabilizing the structure. As I type, Lindsey and Dave (of this forum) are at Rich Hill as part of a weekend commemoration of 1865 being sponsored by Charles County, Maryland, Office of Tourism. Dave has done quite a bit of research on the history of Rich Hill (which dates to the colonial era), and he and Lindsey will be telling that history to the public. There will also be an archaeologist on site this weekend.

The Mudd House is hosting a variety of venues on their grounds as part of this commemoration of the end of the Civil War and the escape of Booth, as is the College of Southern Maryland.