Here's whats happening at the Waterford Foundation right now!
Waterford Foundation Newsletter           July / August  2017


A Message from the Executive Director
Tom Kuehhas,
Executive Director
 
The Waterford Foundation's Property Planning and Management Committee is charged with providing for the maintenance and custody of the Foundation's buildings and grounds and somehow the committee, under Chair Bill McGuire, manages to perform miracles with all too limited resources.

Perhaps more than any other committee, the Foundation relies heavily on the volunteers of the Properties Committee to do much of the work required to maintain our buildings and properties. So when an opportunity presents itself, like the generous offer from the Ashburn Community Church (see story below) or the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and volunteers from the Institute for Building Technology Safety on the Phillips Farm (see last issue of the newsletter) , we take full advantage!

However these opportunities don't occur as often as we'd like, and certainly do not address all of our preservation needs, which are constant. The Foundation has worked tirelessly to preserve and protect the buildings in its care, and the associated costs are a big chunk of our budget. We need your help! If the mill, or the Old School, or the Red Barn hold a special place in your heart, please consider making a donation, or sponsoring the annual preservation needs of one of the buildings that comprise the Waterford National Historic Landmark. 

We truly appreciate your support!


Sincerely,


Tom Kuehhas
Executive Director
Lantern Light Fund Ice Cream Social on September 9th
 


John Wesley Church Congregation
Join us in celebrating the rich historical narratives underpinning Waterford's African American Heritage during a fundraiser on Saturday, September 9th. We are in the process of putting together a two hour (2-4:00pm) ice cream social with re-enactment vignettes in and around the John Wesley Community Church in Waterford. Supervisor Chair Phyllis Randall has graciously agreed to kick off the event and members of the Female Re-Enactors of Distinction (F.R.E.E.D) will be on hand, offering their skills for the vignettes depicting African American stories of interest. (Our fund's name - 'Lantern Light Fund'- references the lanterns used by the women to light up the men's way as they worked into the night to build the John Wesley Community Church.)

The money raised will be used to support the Second Street School program, exhibits and educational materials on Waterford's African-American community, and restoration and maintenance of the Second Street School and John Wesley Community Church. 

Properties Committee 

John Wesley Church Floor
The Waterford Foundation Property Planning and Management Committee has been working on a number of projects, hammer and tongs, this summer. Not only have they managed to cross painting the Corner Store exterior and the Chair Factory roof off their list, Chair Bill McGuire and his wife, Sue, have personally tackled the flooring in the Fellowship Hall of the John Wesley Community Church.

The Corner Store
Bill and Sue painstakingly examined the original flooring and determined that most of it was too badly damaged to be reinstalled. They procured new flooring from a mill in Maryland and have been integrating the new floorboards with the old. The bulk of the cost of the new floor and staircase was covered thanks to a $4000 grant from the Loudoun Preservation Society.
 
We thank the hardworking members of this committee for all their efforts on the Foundation's behalf!


Ashburn Congregation to Tackle 2nd Street School Project

SSS
Second Street School Fence

Pastor Alain Noriega of the Ashburn Community Church announced that the Waterford Foundation's Second Street School has been selected as one of eight projects in their Share Day on Sept 16, 2017.

Volunteers from the congregation, led by Jason Sobecki, owner of ARC Contracting Group, will wash and make repairs to the Second Street School fence prior to painting it on the 16th.  Pastor Noriega explained that one of the goals they are seeking to accomplish through working on these projects is to connect the congregation with local nonprofits.  

The Waterford Foundation owes a debt of gratitude to the volunteers from the Ashburn Community Church for donating their time and resources to tackling this project that had been on our "to do" list. 

If you know of another organization or company looking for a project, let them know that the Foundation could use a hand!

Craft School Sessions Receive Accolades

Craft School
Weaving Class
The Waterford Foundation hosted successful sessions of the Waterford Heritage Crafts School in June and July for two groups of very enthusiastic students and instructors.

Here are some of the comments they shared with Foundation staff: "Love the idea and will encourage friends;" "Definitely recommend to others and I am ready to attend more classes as soon as they are offered;" "I loved the environment, the people, the idea and staying in touch with roots and history;" "Absolutely wonderful.  I will recommend and be back soon;" and "Great way to spend a weekend."

Craft School classes include 12 hours of instruction over two days (Saturday-Sunday), as well as lunch each day. Course material is designed for ages 18 and up. 

We are hard at work lining up instructors for our 2018 sessions, and plan to unveil our offerings at the Waterford Fair, so stay tuned!

Visit the Foundation's website at: https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/programs/waterford-craft-school/ for the most up to date information.

Last Chance To Sign Up For New Archaeology Camp Offerings! 

Archaeology Camp
Dr. David Clark (aka Dr. "Digs") and Loudoun Archaeology Foundation will be leading two new camps for young people. The July 31 - August 4, 2017, session for 3rd through 5th graders will be learning all about "Skeletons."  Campers will touch, identify, draw and study skeletons and bones of all kinds. 

At the "Forensics" session (August 7 - 11, 2017), 6th - 8th graders will be introduced to the fastest growing science today.  Campers will learn how to calculate the age of skeletons, identify bones, and enjoy hands-on projects.

Both camps will meet for 5 days, from 9 - 3pm, at the Old School in Waterford.

For more information, or to sign up, visit www.waterfordfoundation.org/programs/summer-camps/

Waterford Fair Happenings

Fair prep is well under way and October will be here before we know it!

Our Fine Art Chair, Lis Zadravec, could use some help making phone calls to local businesses -- volunteer early, get your FREE Fair ticket, and when the Fair opens just enjoy. Call the office or email Tracy at  fairadmin@waterfordfoundation.org.
 
A big "Thank You" to Jim Hanna and Tom Edmonds for working through the heat in a hot hot barn to update the lighting for the Photography Exhibit and Sale! Make sure you visit the upper level of the Red Barn during the Fair.

Reserve Your Page in the 2017 Waterford Fair Booklet Today!


Fair Booklets
Fair Booklets
The 73rd Waterford Fair is coming October 6, 7 and 8, and the Fair Booklet is the cherished annual guide to all this historic village has to offer. Many of you have been Fair Booklet Page sponsors for years, and we thank you for your continued generosity. We hope we can count on your support again this year, to help offset booklet production costs. If you haven't lent your support before, won't you help us this year by becoming a 2017 booklet page donor?

Levels range from $500 (inside front cover) to $100 (half page) or...new this year, sponsor a golf cart! The Foundation will hang a custom sign on the cart during the 3-days. Cart sponsorship is $600. As we only have three carts, reservations will be taken on a first come basis.

Get your reservation in by August 17, 2017 here.
Host an Artist

If you haven't opened your home in the past, this is a great opportunity to get to know and interact with a Fair artist. We are in need of a few hosts.

As a thank you for opening your home you will receive a free 3-day pass to the Waterford Fair! Please contact the Fair office for more information at fairadmin@waterfordfoudation.org.
Reduced rate room blocks available at area hotels for the Waterford Fair!

Please spread the word to family and friends that may need lodging. The Waterford Foundation has negotiated discounted rates at local hotels and is thrilled to pass the savings to Fair visitors.

Book soon as blocks tend to sell out. If you have difficulty booking at one of these hotels or if you need a group of rooms, please contact Amy Norris at anorris@helmsbriscoe.com / 703-433-5887.

For details, see the Fair lodging page here.
Don't Miss Happenstance Theatre's  Mark Jaster and Sabrina Mandell at the Waterford Fair!


ONLY ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 6!
Happenstance Theatre

Watch this video interview by Smithsonian Folklife on Facebook to learn more about them. We are excited that they'll be a part of the Fair this year!

Have You Included the Waterford Foundation in Your Estate Planning?

signing_documents.jpg
Help preserve the Waterford National Historic Landmark  for future gener ations.  Include the Waterford Foundation in your estate planning.
 
You can provide support for the Foundation's efforts in preservation and education, while meeting your financial, tax, and philanthropic goals.

Your bequest to the Waterford Foundation allows us to continue our mission of protecting and preserving this beautiful landmark we all love.  

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