Volume 13, Issue 11

November 2022

Central Rappahannock Heritage Center 

Newsletter

A place that loses its history loses its soul.

Message From The Chairman

This will be my last message as your Chairman. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the helm.

I am pleased to report that the Board elected Florence Barnick as Chair, and Roy McAfee as Vice Chair at the 15 November Board meeting. Philip Jenkins volunteered to serve as acting Secretary and Dan Bender continues as the Treasurer. The Center is very fortunate to have them serve during a period of continuing challenges.

Progress continues with respect to many initiatives such as operating hours, lease adjustments, fundraising, facilities, and membership.

The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center provides a unique and vital role for Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties. As we state with every publication of our newsletter, “A place that loses its history loses its soul”.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not express my appreciation to Terry

Dougherty for producing and publishing the CRHC newsletter. He stepped forward when no one else could or would. Thank you, Terry.

See you around!

Jack A. Apperson, Chairman

Robert Fechner, Director of C.C.C., speaking in Spotsylvania County on Armistice Day in 1934.

Robert Fechner (March 22, 1876 – December 31, 1939) was a national labor union leader and director of the Civilian Conservation Corps (1933–39), which played a central role in the development of state and national parks in the United States.



Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with only a public school elementary education he rose to become an American labor union leader and vice president of the International Association of Machinists. He had a reputation for fairness, tact, and patience in all his dealings. 

^ 

On April 5, 1933 he was appointed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to be the Director of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It was Fechner's fairness and ability for organization and administration that impressed the president to his appointment as director. Although he had been an important labor figure, Fechner objected to attempts of union organizers to form unions among CCC enrollees in the camps. He felt that the government was doing all it possibly could for the well-being of the enrollees: well fed, supporting dependents with monthly earnings, getting an education; and they were contributing in a constructive manner to the conservation needs of the nation. The need for a union in this situation was not necessary, and he issued orders to keep union organizers out of the CCC camps and gave instructions that if any of the CCC enrollees joined a union they were to be discharged.



Fechner's likeness appeared on the cover of Time magazine on February 6, 1939. A veteran of the Spanish American War, he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Welcome To Our New Members

John Ruitberg

John Reichhardt

Erin Yeoman

April Gibson

Christine Grodek

MANY THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS 

2022 HERITAGE CENTER SPONSORS & CORPORATE MEMBERS

Deborah Baker

Barbara Barrett

Linda M. Billard

Jeanette and Nick Cadwallender

Barbara Hicks Cecil

Cooper Financial Group

Dovetail Cultural Resources Group

Jim and Betsy Greene

Lucy and Wayne Harman

Mary Jane O’Neill

             Donations for Center Operations

 Donald H. and Beverly Newlin

The Josiah P. Rowe III Family Legacy Fund

The Forbush Family Trust

The Hon. J. M. H.Willis

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

Collections Update

• Book: Images of America - Virginia State Parks. Included are many historical references and photographs representing King George, Caroline, Stafford, and Spotsylvania Counties. The collection includes a brief study of Glenora, a 19th century estate situated near the North Anna River by the New Bridge.

• A 1925 bulletin from The State Teachers College titled "Suggestions For Project Teaching". From the Elementary Training Schools State Teachers College.  

• A 1921 publication: The Republican Party in Virginia Platform.

• Book: "The South; American Highways & Byways". 1904.

• Five National Railway Bulletins; 1959 (1), 1985 (1), 1989 (3). 

• Book: "Railroad History 163". Autumn, 1990.  

• Four Department of Agriculture and Immigration of Virginia Bulletins. 1927 (1), 1954 (2), and 1957 (1). 

• Genealogy Book; Family History-Living in Virginia's Northern Neck During the 1600's and 1700's- Balls, Carters, Champs, Claugthtons, Cralles, Garners, and Washingtons. 

• Book - "From New Post to Princess Ann Street: The Postal History of Fredericksburg, Virginia 1657-1990". 

• 1964 yearbook from Stafford High School, "Indian Legend". 

• 1968 yearbook from T. Benton Gayle Junior High School, "Panthers Paw". 

• Correspondence, receipts, and miscellaneous documents. 

• Collection of 1969 24" x 24" aerial photographs of Stafford County. Included are numerous maps, district maps, and topographical maps. 

Please remember that we are always accepting collections. Contact me at jreifenberg@crhcarchives.org for more information. Your contributions are important! 

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

John Reifenberg

Collections Manager

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

Hours  

Open by Appointment.

Location

900 Barton Street #111

Fredericksburg, VA

22401 

(540) 373-3704

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