Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission

June 10, 2008 - CWC Meeting

Presentations

FORT MONROE: PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE
Conover Hunt and John Quarstein

Conover Hunt, the deputy director of the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority. gave an update on the current situation and future of Fort Monroe when the base closes in 2011. The development plans include protecting the historic assets while providing public access to the land and beaches, seeking economic sustainability, and allowing new development within strict limits that will not compromise Fort Monroe's National Historic Landmark designation. This is a long-term development plan that may take 20-30 years to fully implement.

John Quarstein, Historian from the City of Hampton, gave a brief history of Fort Monroe and its significance during the Civil War. It was at Fort Monroe, that General Benjamin Butler declared that slaves were "contraband of war," making the fort a place of refuge for enslaved persons and referred to as "Freedom's Fortress."

CIVIL WAR TRAILS PROGRAM: SESQUICENTENNIAL COORDINATION PARTNER
Mitch Bowman

Mitch Bowman, Executive Director of the Civil War Trails Program, presented to the Commission an overview of the program and the partnership formed between the two entities. The Civil War Trails Program has installed over 800 interpretive markers at Civil War sites in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Tennessee. The program has gained popularity throughout the country with 3,000 map guides downloaded per week from its website and in the first half of 2008, the Virginia Tourism Corporation has mailed out over 50,000 Civil War Trails Program packets. The Civil War Trails Program provides a seamless travel system across state lines, a tourism structure for communities and states, and opportunities for preservation, interpretation, and education.

Dr. Charles Bryan inquired about the possibility of using a radio station for travelers to tune into while driving throughout the state that would give area-specific information about nearby Civil War sites. Mr. Bowman explained that the program has looked into similar options and found that the cost is very high. He noted that the program's website does have podcasts and his staff continues to explore other technological advances. Mr. Bowman stated that an important part of the program and the secret to preservation is getting the traveler out of the vehicle.

Staff Report

Cheryl Jackson commended the Commission after reading an article published by the American Association of State and Local History for being on the right track with its sesquicentennial recommendations.

Programs Reports

EDUCATIONAL DVD
Dr. Robertson sent a message to share with the Commission about the progress of the Virginia Tech/Blue Ridge DVD project. Over two dozen scenes have been filmed already and while the scripts are not finalized yet, Dr. Robertson hopes to be able to provide the Commission with some short clips during the fall meeting.

MUSEUM EXHIBITION
Dr. Bryan updated the Commission on the status of the museum exhibition. The exhibition will be in two parts, "The Battle Front" and "The Home Front." It will be open in February 2011 at the Virginia Historical Society. From 2012 to 2015, the exhibition will be divided into two components and travel to various museums throughout the Commonwealth. "The Battle Front" will interpret the major military actions in a chronological narrative. "The Home Front" will give visitors an understanding of life behind and between battle lines.

At the last meeting, the Commission allocated $750,000 to the Virginia Historical Society (VHS) to pay for the museum exhibit. The Commission members were informed that due to their current budget situation, they could allocate more funds to the VHS this year if they desired. The Commission decided, by acclamation, to allocate an additional $250,000 to VHS. The total amount to be paid to VHS is $1,000,000 this year.

HISTORY MOBILE
Ms. Jackson also discussed the progress of the HistoryMobile. Delegate Lingamfelter has been working on finding a trailer that would be donated to the
Commission and there has been an offer of an in-kind donation of a tractor. For the HistoryMobile, the Commission allocated $5,000 to hire a consultant who will determine which pieces of the museum exhibition would be appropriate in the HistoryMobile and develop a budget for the project, so the Commission will know what the HistoryMobile will look like and cost. The consultant will work with the Commission staff and will make a report in September. Dr. Bryan noted that rising fuel prices may affect the HistoryMobile.

LOCAL COMMITTEES
Currently 44 local committees have been formed. Follow-up letters to those localities that have not formed committees will be sent.

LOGO
A Memorandum of Understanding has also been drafted for local committees who seek use of the
Commission's logo in furtherance of the Commission's goals. Any group that wants to use the logo must apply through their local committee and the local committee would have the first right of refusal.

WEBSITE
Ms. Jackson demonstrated the newly launched interactive map and the "Ask an Expert" on the
Commission's website. She encouraged members to work with local committees to fill in the narrative portion for each locality. Dr. Bryan emphasized the importance of the accuracy of the website. Delegate Lingamfelter suggested researching which regiments were at each battle and placing the information on the website.

Sandy Treadwell, Chair of the Advisory Council, was introduced. The Advisory Council will have its second meeting on June 24 and report to the Commission in the fall. The proposed agenda includes a review of the plans to date and the development of new ways to reach out to localities and market the Sesquicentennial.

Delegate Landes asked that the Advisory Council develop ways to encourage localities to form local committees and begin planning for the Sesquicentennial.

NATIONAL EVENT KICKOFF
Commission staff will be traveling to Harper's Ferry next week to meet with representatives from the West Virginia legislature, Civil War Preservation Trust, and Harper's Ferry National Historic Park to plan the national kickoff event June 25-26, 2009. The proposed two-day event includes panel discussions on the first day and tours of Harper's Ferry on the second day.

SIGNATURE CONFERENCES
The Commission members reviewed the proposals for the Signatures Conferences/Meeting Tours and will make a final decision at a later meeting.

Next Meeting
The next meeting date will be posted on the Commission websites and the General Assembly calendar as soon as information is available.

Chairman:
The Hon. William J. Howell

For information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson, Brenda Edwards, Danielle Watkins, DLS Staff

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