HIstoric Fincastle Newsletter 2014

HISTORIC FINCASTLE, INC
April 2014
Fincastle’s Figgat and Godwin families in the 1800’s
HFI 2014 SAVE THE Dates:
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
OCT. 14, 2014
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SOCIAL
DEC. 6, 2014
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR &
MARKETPLACE
DEC. 13, 2014
MCMILLAN, GEORGE SYDNOR, AND JEAN ROBBINS
The 2013 HFI Holiday Home Tour theme was based on the
Botetourt County Historical Society’s latest publication,
Dear Nannie…..yours devotedly, Charlie: Nannie Figgat
Chronicles Mid-19th Century Southwest Virginia through
her Diary, Recipes and Correspondence by Gail McMillan
and Jean Robbins.
Jean and Gail first encountered Nannie and Martha Mary
through their handwritten cookbooks, dating from the
1860’s, in the Special Collections in Newman Library at
Virginia Tech.
Resources at the Botetourt County
Historical Society Museum helped them appreciate the
Figgat and Godwin families as community leaders in
Fincastle for at least 60 years.
Research led the authors to discover that Charles Miles
Figgat courted, married and deserted Ann Godwin, whom
he alone affectionately addressed as ‘Nannie’. Their story
was written by Nannie through her letters, diary and recipe
book. She also documented activities in and around
Fincastle during the Civil War and provided a culinary
perspective from her time and place in Virginia history.
Both Nannie and Charlie were born, raised and educated in
Fincastle. Ann (Nannie) and Charlie were married at St.
Mark’s Episcopal Church on December 13, 1859. After the
Civil War, Charlie and family moved to Lexington. Charlie
disappeared from Lexington in February, 1895, Nannie
eventually made her way to Roanoke and lived with one of
her sons.
Newsletter 1
IN this Issue:
Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship
2013 Membership Listing
HFI Presidents: Remember Who
Dottie S. Kessler Archives Collection
Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace
Focus on Volunteer, Sally Eads
2013 Annual Meeting Summary
Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail
Prospect Hill: Focus on Historic Homes
Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship 2013
Historic Fincastle Inc. Awards 2013 Scholarships
Israel Christian was an early founder of the Town of Fincastle and donated the land for the
Court House. The Israel Christian home, originally a one room log structure, is thought to
be the oldest house in Fincastle. The 2013 scholarship winners were Hannah Austin from
James River High and Ryner Catherine Nash from Lord Botetourt High. These winners
were selected from applicants who were asked to write a short essay about Fincastle.
Hannah Austin is Washington and Lee University this year. Hannah wrote in her essay:
[Julia Hancock awaiting the return of her husband, William Clark]“The November air was
a trifle chilling, and as she stood on the porch, the air surrounding stabbed the inside of her lungs
and coaxed the skin of her arms to prick. And yet, she did not return inside; he would be coming
back today. Wrapping her shawl a bit closer around her arms, she waited.
He had been gone for a long time – the months felt as years to her – but such did not matter now.
He was coming back today. She stood outside Santillane, her home, watching as the gray sky
overhead pressed toward her, anticipation budding in her heart. Absently watching the road
surrounding for any indication that he was near, she waited….”
Ryner Catherine Nash is attending James Madison University. An excerpt from her essay
is as follows:
“The Kyle house is thought to have been built in the 1830’s and its style is evocative of English
country homes of that period… Robert Kyle was the first owner of the house and he used it as a
permanent residence for his family and a local store…The structure was purchased by F.D. Bolton
in 1914 when it became a general store until the 1970’s.
…As a society today, we have lost sight of our history and what is truly important. Landmarks,
like the Kyle House, are a significant reminder that history is constantly surrounding us and
sometimes we must stop and simply absorb the history that has made us what we are today.
Without history, we would have absolutely nothing. For me, the Kyle House is a reminder to
appreciate, value, and truly learn from all the history around us.”
HFI has awarded over $13,000 in scholarships to college bound students. Funds are made possible by
membership donations and fundraising events such as Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace.
Year
Scholarship Winner
Year
$
Scholarship Winner
Memory of
1999
Jenny Ladenheim
$1000
2007
$500
Hunter Simmons
Eugene
Downs
2000
2001
2002
$1000
$1000
$1000
$500
$500
$500
$1000
2008
2009
2010
$500
$500
Katie McCampbell
Change to high school students
Steven Huffman (LBHS)
H.W. Kessler, Jr.
2011
2004
Jenny Ladenheim
Meg Sellers
Derek Wiley
Kim Sharp
Rob Campbell
Abigail Weddle
Dustin King
Emily Honts
2012
2005
Michael Alexander
$1000
2006
Joshua Demaury
$1000
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
Mallory White (LBHS)
Shannon Kessler (JRHS)
Bennett Witcher (LBHS)
Zach Ewen (JRHS)
Catherine Nash (LBHS)
Hannah Austin (JRHS)
Christopher Halsey (LBHS)
Lucas Arney (JRHS)
2003
$
Memory of
2013
Leslie B. Kinion
2014
-
Newsletter 2
R. Lucas
P. Wysong
HFI listed in 2013 Best Local Holiday Event
1. SunTrust Dickens of Christmas
2. Rescue Mission Ministries/Stellar One Drumstick Dash
3. Salem Christmas Parade
Honorable mention: Lexington-Rockbridge Christmas Parade
Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops, and Historic Fincastle, Inc. Holiday Home
Tours & Marketplace
HFI 2013 Annual Meeting Summary:
Historic Fincastle, Inc. (HFI) held its 2013 Annual Business Meeting on October 15 at the Fincastle Library.
The Board of Directors was pleased to report many successes for the organization in 2013. Membership
for the year is 123 members, a continuation of strong membership totals. HFI members cross the
country from Texas to New York; however, the majority are Botetourt County residents.
The Board asked for a moment of silence in remembrance for Ron Lucas, Janet McDowell, Peg Wysong,
Bill Coon, Virginia Cronise, Butterfly Breckinridge Hall, and Patti Ellis. HFI also acknowledged the many
years of support from board member Sally Eads who has moved to North Carolina.
Lyn Burton presented the current financial/treasurer report. HFI's major project for 2013 was the
completion of the updated and revised Town of Fincastle Tour Guide. Many hours were spent by board
members on the project, which was designed by Ben Moser. 3000 copies were printed and are
distributed to Botetourt Tourism Office, Town of Fincastle Office, Roanoke Valley Visitor Bureau and
Botetourt History Museum. The Archives Committee continues the process for archiving the Dottie
Kessler Document Collection. The committee meets every other Thursday and is making good progress.
The Board expressed gratitude to its corporate sponsors who made financial contributions to the
organization in 2013 including The Bank of Fincastle, The Bank of Botetourt, and The Town of Fincastle.
Ongoing activities include town tours for individuals and groups; the Elizabeth and Israel Christian
Scholarship program for county high school seniors; support of the Eastern Legacy Trail of the National
Park Service, with the Fincastle Connection to Lewis & Clark; and the continuous maintenance of HFI’s
three properties. The hand rails at the Early Cabin were replaced using wood to better reflect the period
of the cabin. The stone stoop at the cabin will be repaired. The Wysong Shop roof was primed and
painted, a historical marker was added to the front, and tree work was completed. HFI projects for 2014
include: Gateway sign at the intersection of 220 and Main in cooperation with The Town of Fincastle;
Web Site updates, Archives data in PastPerfect; an audio version of town tour guide; improvement of
the Wysong shop interior displays and repair of the stone steps. The Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace
(HHT&M) 2013 theme was the Fincastle connection to Nannie and Charlie Figgatt. The tour was
December 14, 2013 and the homes for the tour all have a connection to the Figgatt family. The
Marketplace is located at Fincastle Baptist Church with forty vendors. The Board expressed sincere
appreciation to retiring board members, Sally Eads and Missy Sigurdson, for their dedication and service
to HFI. New board members who were nominated and approved are Kip Burton, Mary Catherine
Layman, and Sarah Meadows.
Newsletter 3
HFI Annual Membership Social 2013, was held at the home of Karen and Tony Triplett, Hawkshead
Farm, this past December. Thanks go to the HFI Board of Directors for providing delicious hors d‘oeuvres for all.
HFI members, Peggy Crosson and Carol Brenner, presents Valerie Lucas and son, Jason,
a Proclamation of Appreciation for husband and father, Ronald Lucas.
Ron Lucas continually contributed time, talent and business expertise towards Historic Fincastle, Inc
serving as President and on the Board of Directors, leading the association members with enthusiasm
and determination through deeds and efforts too numerous to count. Ron fiercely protected the
integrity of Historic Fincastle, Inc. Ron championed the preservation of Fincastle’s historic
buildings, many of which bear his personal renovation and restoration talents including Prospect Hill,
Solitude, and Academy Hill. Ron’s attention to detail and appreciation for craftsmanship are evident
in these beautiful homes. Ron’s vision helped all remember that the town has to be protected and
cherished to keep the small, untouched community preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Newsletter 4
2014 HFI Board of Directors
Officers: Carol S. Brenner & Marni Jones, Co-Presidents
Lissy Merenda, Secretary, and Lyn Burton, Treasurer
Board Members: Lynne Bolton, Alan Brenner, Sarah Bulmer, Kip Burton, Gretchen Greiner,
Melodye Hollingsworth, Mary Ann Layman, Marcia Neighbors, and Karen Shriver
Newsletter Photos Courtesy of Beth Pappas, Melodye Hollingsworth and Carol Brenner
Focus on HFI Volunteer: Sally Eads
Sally Eads was a resident of the Town of Fincastle
from September of 1967 until her move to North
Carolina in 2013. Along with her husband, Harold,
she lovingly cared for the historic Ammen House on
Botetourt Road. She continually contributed her time,
talent and expertise towards the betterment of our
community.
Sally was an Assistant Professor of History at Virginia
Western Community College. Her community service
included Botetourt School Board member, Women of
the Church at Fincastle Presbyterian Church, Big
Spring Garden Club, Fincastle Town Council, and she
was a published author of “Government by Families
in Colonial Botetourt”.
Sally is a long-time member of Historic Fincastle,
Inc., and she served on the Board of Directors. She was chairperson of the Historic
Fincastle Walking Tours. Sally was instrumental in giving visitors and citizen access to
the historic documents housed in the Botetourt County Courthouse. She became known
as the local historian for HFI and all of Botetourt County. HFI honored Sally with a
lifetime membership to the organization.
The Town of Fincastle awarded Sally Eads a service award on Sept. 20, 2013. The
award was presented to Sally by Town Council Member and HFI member, Alan
Brenner.
Newsletter 5
The Dottie S. Kessler Archives Collection Committee
The last newsletter contained several excerpts from one of the many fascinating documents in the Dorothy
Simmons Kessler Collection. Titled “Did You Know????,” this document is attributed to the Botetourt
County Branch Library Book Fair of June 26, 1971. Here are a few more morsels of Fincastle history from
this interesting resource.
# 3. “Did You Know” that several food canneries were run in Fincastle and surrounding vicinity by
Mr. Will Douglas, Mr. Jack Milton, Mr. F. D. Bolton, Sr., Mr. Dave Firebaugh and Mr. Mont Miller?
The main product was canned tomatoes and many local people worked in the canneries.
#7. “Did You Know” that Mr. F. D. Bolton, Sr., built the old jail which now houses the Library?
#20. “Did You Know” that Virginia B. Cronise’s great uncle found the casket that Robert E. Lee was
buried in? A shipment of caskets had just been received in Lexington when the North River (now the
Maury River) flooded and all the caskets were washed away. No casket was available when General Lee
died a couple of days later. On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Charles Chittum, of Lexington, was walking
along the bank of the river and discovered the casket caught up on a pile of brush. The casket was
retrieved and cleaned up and General Lee’s body was placed therein. The casket proved to be a little
short so General Lee was buried without his boots on. Mr. Chittum was personally acquainted with
General Lee and Andrew Jackson. He was the brother of the late Mrs. Fannie Oliver, of Fincastle.
Look for more nuggets of Fincastle history in the next newsletter!
The Archives Committee continues its work cataloging and scanning the impressive amount of
information in Dottie Kessler’s collection. Committee members are enjoying working with Dottie’s
resources, many of which date back to the early days of Fincastle history. We meet twice a month on
Thursday mornings, and would welcome new volunteers for sorting, reading, and recording the contents
of each item. Some of the documents are not of a quality suitable for scanning, so we also continue to
need volunteers to type transcriptions. Call 992-3647 for more information.
With the photo:
Life in Fincastle as it was in the early 1900s. Do you recognize the crossroads?
Achieves Committee moves to Early Cabin - Archives Room dedicated to memory of Dottie Kessler
The office in the Early Cabin has been remodeled for use by the Archives committee. Cleaning, painting,
furniture, lighting, and storage have been improved for this important task. HFI thanks Pat Simmons and
Karen Shriver for donations of work tables for the archives room.
Newsletter 6
Presidents of Historic
Fincastle, Inc
Years
Years of
service
Historic Fincastle Festival “Biggest Crowd Ever”
September 1984 -The Fincastle Herald
Helen Caldwell
1968-1973
5
Dorothy Blanton
1973-1976
3
Joe Logan
1976-1982
6
Harry Kessler, Jr
1982-1984
2
Don Skibinski
1984-1989
5
H. W. Scott
1989-1992
4
Dottie Kessler
1992-1995
3
Peggy Davis
1995-1997
2
Anita Firebaugh
1997-1999
2
Brenda Simmons
1999-2000
1
Pat Simmons
2000-2001
1
Gene Downs
2001-2002
1
Ted Towles
2003-2004
1
Ron Lucas
2005-2007
2
Pete Wood
2007-2009
2
Pam Thacker
2009-2010
1
Carol Brenner
2010Present
4
and
Marni Jones
Newsletter 7
HFI Lifetime Members
Sally Eads, Anita & James Firebaugh, Carole & Chuck Gieger, Sandy Stokes,
Pam Wiegandt, Priscilla Richardson, and Sarah Pardee Early
2013 HFI Memberships and Donors
Individual Memberships
Family Memberships
Friend Memberships
Peggy Keith Barnett
Evelyn Myers Besley
Mary Black
Lynne Bolton
Joseph Buhrman
H. Joe Camper
Dale & Gloria Carter
Brenda F. Chapman
Angela P. Coon
Janet Coon
Michelle A. Crook
Peggy Crosson
Jo & W. E. Dunbar
Florence Fahrbach
Rose Ellen Gravett
Glenna Hinson
Patricia A. Honts
Loretta Ikenberry
James M. Johnston
Kenneth & Deborah Lane
Dorothy Langford
Harriet Little
Weldon L.& Susan Martin
Geneva Mateer
Alfred Beckley McDowell
Frank Taylor Miller
Emily Moore
Martha Murray
Betty Newman
Nancy M. Pauley
Mrs. Billy W. Proffitt
Virginia Reynolds
Virginia Dodd Smith
Beverly Stafford
Emily P. Talbot-Guillote
Pete & Nancy Adamson
Mrs. Max Bertholf
Mitch & Bobbie Lou Bowman
Frank & Eleanor Branin
John & Patricia Brown
Bill & Rhonda Campbell
Arlene & Bob Cheeseman
Gene & Barbara Conti
Debbie & Fred Coots
William & Janice Dillon
Jessica & Correy Diviney
Cathy & Gary Dudley
Charlie & Penny Finn
John & Genevieve Goss
John & Gwen Griffith
Jim & Marcia Helms
Sidney & Tommy Hunter
Gary & Dreama Kattenbraker
Patty & Richard King
Richard & Becky Koffman
Ed & Ruth Korth
Brett & Mary LaGue
James W. & Wilma Lambert
Kim & David LaPrade
Rodney & Mary Catherine Layman
Matt Miller & Mary Ann Layman
John & Lindsey Layman
Kaye & Alan Lowe
Betty & Mack Luber/Bullard
Valerie Lucas
Dan & Lissy Merenda
Lee & Luther Minnix
David & Trish Morris
Mack & Marcia Neighbors
Allen & Patricia Nelms
Carol & Alan Brenner
Robert & Sue Bagnoli
Bob & Sue Birmingham
Jack Rader Brughs Mill Country Store
Sarah & Bruce Bulmer
Kip & Lyn Burton Burton
Kerry & Marsha Campbell
Scott & Susan Critzer
Peggy C. Davis
Stan & Connie Diez
Lois N. Farmer
Mike & Cathy Goad
Lee & Gretchen Greiner
Steve & Ann-Marie Hamblin
Betty B. Hawes
Andre Hilliou
Melodye Hollingsworth
Robert & Helen Holt
Carol & Devereux Jarratt
Garland & Jane Jones
Brian & Marni Jones
Charlotte & Daniel Jones
Mahlon & Gret Kidd
Julia & Michael Klapproth
Allen & Ann Layman
Lee B. McBride
Gail & Ralph McCampbell
Gail McMillan
Sarah Meadows
Helen & Kerry Morris
Judy & Jess Newbern
Meg & Bob Omer
Beth & Steve Pappas
Don & Judi Race
Karen Shriver
Continue pg 11
Newsletter 8
Individual Memberships
Ellalee D. ("Noonie") Vaughn
Katherine Watts
Margaret R. Webb Webb
Poo Wyche
Memorial Donations
Butterfly Breckinridge Hall
Janet McDowell
By Peggy C. Davis
~~~~~~~~~~~
Margaret“Peg” Wysong
By C.Locke Wysong &
Wysong Family Association &
Scott & Susan Critzer
Family
Family Memberships
Memberships
Family
Friend
Friend Memberships
Memberships
Stan & Carolyn Nelson
Natalie & Harry Norris
Robin Dearing & Bill O'Connor
Connie & Randy Peters
Robin & Teresa Reed
Ed & Verna Shuey
Kathleen & Michael Sloan
Jack & Betty Spigle
George & Shirley Sydnor
Tony & Karen Triplette
Paul & Terry Tucker
Lee & Debbie Turner
Scott & Barbara VanCleef
Patty & Rick Vari
Bob & Reedie Waid
Richard & Paige Ware
H. Douglas & Trish Wilhelm
Pete & Freda Wood
Pat Simmons
Dr. John & Sharon Sproles
Josh & Lori Taube
Eleanor Neville McDowell Thompson
Linda & John Thornton
William D. Watson
Kirk & Bettina Wehner
Donald & Ulla Wetherington
Ed & Betty Wright
C. Locke Wysong
Mary E. Wysong
Jerry Wysong
Patron Level
Corporate Sponsors
Daniel & Karen Beasley
Dr. Henry Bowen
James E. Hickenbotham
Karen & Henry Hicks
L&M Properties, LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D. Logan
Barry & Dorothy Maxfield
John & Julia Patterson
Rosemary & Ray Thomas
Charles J. Wehrmeister
The Bank of Fincastle
The Bank of Botetourt
The Town of Fincastle
Thank you to all the members and
donors to Historic Fincastle, Inc.
These donations make it possible to
complete projects and support
preservation in Fincastle and the
surrounding area.
In Memory of members and friends of HFI:
Margaret “Peg” Wysong
Ronald Lee Lucas
Jane Wells Breckinridge
William “Bill” Coon
Patricia Borden Coon Ellis
Louise “Butterfly” Breckinridge Hall
Virginia Bosserman Cronise
Janet McDowell
A spot of local history is like an inn upon a highway: It is a stage
upon a far journey: It is a place that national history has passed
through. There mankind has stopped and lodged by the way.
Woodrow Wilson
Newsletter 9
Famil
Frien
Prospect Hill
(Photo Late 1930’s)
Prospect or Prospect Hill as it
was known in the mid-19th
century, stands on land that in
the late years of the 18th
century belonged to Henry
Wax. In 1806, John Moore
obtained 83 ¾ acres from the
executors of the estate of Henry
Wax. In the 1806 deed from
Wax’s heirs to Moore, the land
is referred to an an “out lot” of
the town of Fincastle. John
Moore held considerable
acreage in Botetourt County.
He served as sheriff and was a
trustee of the Fincastle
Presbyterian Church.
In 1814, John Gray married, Sara Moore, daughter of John Moore. John Gray also served as sheriff of the county
as well as justice of the county court. John Gray and wife, Sara, had four children. Gray was a successful farmer
and was involved in several real estate deals in the 1820’s and 30’s. It is possible that Prospect Hill was several
years in the building and possibly began substantially in 1819, years before it appeared in the tax books of
1839. The white frame house was called “Gray’s Folly” by the townspeople. Legend has it that the townspeople
believed the owners kept boulders in the attic to keep the house from blowing away.
The house tax records were $2000, which was quite substantial valuation and nearly twice the value assessed
on the residence of John Moore. Prospect Hill is Federal style in a simple rectangle shape, symmetrical, with a
brick chimney at each end, one large room on either side of the central stairway. The two-story double front
portico with its fanlight over the door and window adds a dramatic entrance. The two side wings were added in
the mid 1940’s. As is in the Kyle House on Main Street, all rooms have the same handiwork of the “jackknife
expert”. However, the trim work was simpler, and the fireplaces are classically simpler.
Prospect Hill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and with the Virginia Landmarks Commission.
Excerpt from 1979 National Register Nomination Form:
Although the house was b u i l t when the Greek Revival had become the nation's most
popular style, Prospect H i l l ' s builders displayed the conservatism typica!. of a remote area
by employing Federal motifs on the exterior. The interior appointments, the stair, mantels
and paneling also draw upon Federal precedents. Complementing the interior woodwork, the
original interior marbleizing, painting, and graining survive in excellent condition.
Painting and graining were practiced in America as early as the 17th century. Before
the manufacture of ready-made paints in the mid-19th century, painters were totally
dependent on oral tradition and written guides for instruction on Me mixing of paint colors.
Prospect Hill continues today to be an imposing home overlooking the town. Information courtesy of home owner,
Valerie Lucas.
Newsletter 10