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Volume 12, Issue 5

May 2021

Central Rappahannock Heritage Center

Newsletter

A place that loses its history loses its soul

Message From The Chairman

“Hooray, Hooray. The first day of May.”

Not only are we beginning to experience wonderful Spring days, but we are beginning to see some real progress in the fight against Covid-19. Not withstanding that progress, your Board will have a zoom meeting on May 18. Many of us have received at least one shot. And by now many of us older folks have received two. But with the many variants floating around, it seems prudent to wait.

We are moving forward with respect to the Center reopening. We are still shooting for a June date. We will know more after the Reopening Ad Hoc Committee reports to the Board on the 18th.

In a sense, the CRHC has been in hiding for over a year. We need to become visible again, not slowly coming into view, but with a noticeable restart. Accordingly, a team will be appointed to determine how best to achieve that end. We are considering a virtual/personal tour of the Center which would have some Board members as greeters and to also explain some of the more significant items in our collection which will be on exhibit. And we would like to have various items for bid in a “silent auction”. All members will be invited to attend by Zoom or in person (virus permitting).

As you may be aware, museums in the area have been open, at least partially, for some time. Accordingly, they have seen public recognition via the Press or otherwise. Please do not hesitate to recommend ways that we can return to our mission of being an alive and viable repository for History in our area. Not just a warehouse!

Stay safe and well.

Jack A. Apperson, Chairman

The Heritage Center

Welcome New Members!

Hope Akers

Martha Hearn

Keith Littlefield

Patricia Little Taylor

Heritage Center memberships support the important work done by The Center.

The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center is a non-profit, all-volunteer archive whose mission is to preserve historically valuable material of the region and make it available to the public for research.

Please join us as part of the Heritage Center's preservation team. As a member, you will be helping to preserve our priceless local history.

Click here to become a member today!

Membership

Thank you for your support,

The Heritage Center

MANY THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS

2021 HERITAGE CENTER SPONSORS

Barbara Barrett

Barbara H. Cecil

Dovetail Cultural Resource Group

Kitty Farley and Vic Ramoneda

Jim and Betsy Greene

Mary Katherine Greenlaw

Lucy and Wayne Harman

Mary Jane O'Neill

Hon. and Mrs. J.M.H. Willis

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

Fredericksburg Area War Memorial

Last month, on Garden Day in Fredericksburg, the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club created a floral display at the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial. Those of you who were able to see it were treated to a fitting and beautiful tribute to those who gave their lives to protect our country. The cascade of red flowers, reminiscent of the red poppies, made famous by the poppies in Flanders Field, was particularly poignant.

Beyond the flowers, what about the War Memorial? Originally, the Memorial was erected to honor the men from Fredericksburg, Stafford, King George, Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties who were killed during World War I (1914 – 1918). They were honored with a bronze plaque and a flag pole. There are17 names on the plaque. The Memorial was created on a triangle of land when George Street was extended toward the “new” high school. The school, Fredericksburg High School, built in 1919, is now Maury Commons, home of the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center.

In 2008, the Memorial received a significant upgrade. Those of us who volunteer at the Center were able to watch on a warm August morning as cranes hoisted the six granite pillars and semicircular capstone into place. On September 13, 2008, the Memorial was rededicated. Each pillar contains the names of those who died in subsequent wars. The original bronze plaque says, “World War.” No one dreamed there would be a second world war, Korea, Vietnam, for War of Global Terror (Iraq and Afghanistan). Five pillars list those names; the sixth pillar is blank. A World War II Navy anti-aircraft gun guards the Memorial and two Spanish American War deck guns flank the flag pole with the World War I plaque.

Many people think of Armistice Day, or Veterans Day, November 11 as the day we remember, and we do. But, Memorial Day, the last Monday in May is also a day of remembrance at the War Memorial.

Beth Daly

Volunteer

Wall of Honor Nominations

The Fredericksburg Memorials Advisory Commission is seeking nominations to the city Wall of Honor for 2021. The Wall of Honor recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the welfare of the city and the betterment of society. Nominees must have been deceased for at least one year prior to the nomination. Nominations may be submitted by any person, except immediate family members.

You can find the Wall of Honor Application on the city website: fredericksburgva.gov. If you have questions, email Tonya Lacey, Clerk of the City Council, at tlacey@fredericksburgva.gov.

Deadline for submission is May 15.

Collections Update

Collections continue to be donated and processed by a core group of volunteers.

If you are engaged in any spring cleaning of attics, basements or closets, consider a donation to the Center. Don't throw away paperwork that can be of value to future researchers!

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

John Reifenberg

Collections Manager