The Latest News for You!

Volume 14, Issue 3

March 2023

Central Rappahannock Heritage Center

Newsletter

A place that loses its history loses its soul.

Message From The Chairperson

I’m excited to report that The Heritage Center has been awarded a grant from the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund of The Community Foundation for the purchase of a large format scanner. This important piece of equipment will enable us to put more images into our online archives, and make large images available to researchers near and far. Scanning records also enables them to be handled less frequently, minimizing risk of damage. The ability to zoom into details is also enhanced. There are many, many reasons to be excited about this! We are so appreciative to the Community Foundation.

So many organizations in Fredericksburg work with us, and vice-versa. I highly recommend you see the current exhibit at the FAM (Fredericksburg Area Museum), “SEEN: Viewing the Work of African-American Artists in Fredericksburg” We worked with FAM to provide some of the images in a way that cross-promotes both organizations. Be sure to see this exhibit, it runs through the end of the year.

We have so many connections with individuals and organizations researching our area, it would be impossible to name them all, but here’s a current opportunity to make a difference, and the Heritage Center might be able to help you do that. The Fredericksburg Memorials Advisory Commission is seeking nominations to the city Wall of Honor for 2023. I’m so honored to have both of my parents included on this wall. You can find the Wall of Honor Application on the city website: fredericksburgva.gov.

And lastly (for this month!) We are fortunate to house the records of the Ladies’ Memorial Association, and I was recently able to use additional records from a collection that includes an American Legion roster of local men who served in the First World War to enhance their Memorial Day remembrances. Are you in an organization that holds documents that could be of value for researchers? Are your records safe where they are? Are they accessible? Or should you consider working with the Heritage Center to preserve YOUR history? Let’s have a discussion and continue to work together.

Cheers!

Florence Barnick

Chairperson

Get to Know Us

Meet Roy McAfee, Vice Chairman

Growing up in Fredericksburg, I found it difficult to not find some interest in history. An early job on a survey crew taught me to research court records and heightened my interest in first person or original source history. The first home I owned was on a property that once belonged to Mansfield. Mansfield was considered Virginia's showplace in it's time, and has been lost to time. My indignation that such a historic asset could not only be gone, but bulldozed by the Federal government into oblivion made me a preservationist.

Later in life I inherited many of my Great Grandfather's papers. I have tried to tell their stories alone, but realized I needed help. This is when I found the Heritage Center.

There are hundreds if not thousands of stories preserved at the Center. Many still need to be processed so the public can easily access the generations of knowledge and experiences we store.

I am proud to be a member. I am happy to have secured my family's heritage by donating my collection to the Heritage Center. I am humbled to be on the Center's Board, as we move with fresh energy and commitment into a bright new future for the Heritage Center.

I am most excited about the opportunities to embrace technology and involve the many connected organizations, institutions and persons that will make the Heritage Center a major asset, not only for our City and State, but for everyone, everywhere.

From the Archives

Belle Grove belongs to a group of sophisticated late-18th-century dwellings in King William County, along the Rappahannock River in the Port Royal region, that feature wide elliptical arches on the interior and distinctive projecting entrance halls. During the mid-18th century the property was owned by the Conway family, and in 1751 in a long vanished house here, Eleanor Rose Conway Madison gave birth to James Madison, fourth president of the United States. Belle Grove was built in 1792 by John Hipkins for his only child, Fannie, wife of William Bernard. Its design is attributed to Richard and Yelverton Stern, who built a similar house for Hipkins at Gay-Mont in Caroline County. Carolinus Turner, who bought Belle Grove in 1839, modified the interior and added the porticos and terminal wings. The land front is set off by visually striking undulating porches. We believe this photo was taken about 1894 long before the second story was added.

Today, Belle Grove is a thriving historic bed and breakfast, wedding venue, and historical site. Learn more at https://www.bellegroveplantation.com/history/

NEW MEMBERS

Dinah Balderson

Laura Spicer

MANY THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS

2023 HERITAGE CENTER SPONSORS & CORPORATE MEMBERS

Deborah Baker

Jeanette and Nick Cadwallender

Barbara Hicks Cecil

Jim and Betsy Greene

Mary Katherine Greenlaw

Lucy Harman

It's that time! Please become a 2023 sponsor! Corporate and private contributions are welcomed! Help us continue to save our history!

To become a Heritage Center Sponsor, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please contact The Heritage Center at (540) 373-3704.

Collections Update

Three books: (1) Photographic Studies of Old Virginia Homes and Gardens; (2) Virginia Place Names, Derivations- Historical Uses; (3) Old Virginia Houses Along the Fall Line.

Two photographs: (1) Elizabeth Ashby Coghill, 1940 in period costume. (2) Photograph of two unidentified children. Children's photo was found behind photo of Ms. Coghill, unknown to the donor who acquired the photo in 1971 from an estate.

A business ledger from the Parker Brothers Store, beginning in 1917. It was located on Brock Road where the Virginia Central Railroad crossed. Earlier pages are missing. Genealogical entries are included as is a list of former customers. Five Mail Dispatch Receipt Cards from Brockroad Post Office. Contains a note mentioning the railroad being discontinued, 1/1/1938.

Book: Fairfax County Virginia; A History. It contains many references to Stafford County, Fredericksburg, and other local points of interest.

Early records concerning the formation of The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center, including an interview with Tony and Patricia Kent, two of the founding members. Also books of local historical interest. Included are photographs depicting Heritage Center work activities at a former location.

Anyone familiar with our website has noticed and perhaps utilized the clickable link at the bottom of the page; CRHC Amazon Wishlist. However, if you are not familiar with it, please explore the page and the list here, www.crhcarchives.org and see if anything strikes a chord of personal interest that you may then wish to donate to The Heritage Center.

As an example, there is a book found on our wish list; Spotsylvania County, Virginia Marriage References and Family Relationships, 1721 - 1800. This is just one example of the many informational sources we actively seek.

Please help us with our most needed archival supplies!

Along with records of history, The Heritage Center also accepts donations of archival supplies.

Hollinger Metal Edge Archival Supply Wish List

We are always grateful for donations of new collections, materials to bolster the archives, or supplies to aid in the archival process.

Thank you for your interest in the Center's collections.

John Reifenberg

Collections Manager

The Heritage Center gladly provides research services. Please contact us for research requests and rates at contact@crhcarchives.org.

Hours

Open by Appointment.

Location

900 Barton Street #111