Historic Fincastle Newsletter 2015 Web Version
Transcription
Historic Fincastle Newsletter 2015 Web Version
HISTORIC FINCASTLE, INC. April 2015 Historic Fincastle, Inc. Recognizes Scott Critzer for his tireless work on the Fincastle Sidewalk Project HFI 2015 Save the Dates: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING OCT. 2015 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP HOLIDAY SOCIAL DEC. 5, 2015 - PROSPECT HILL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR & MARKETPLACE DEC. 12, 2015 The Board of Directors of Historic Fincastle, Inc (HFI) voted to recognize Scott Critzer for his tireless work on the Fincastle Sidewalk Grant project. HFI board member Alan Brenner presented Critzer with a plaque noting his leadership and perseverance on the sidewalk project at its annual Membership Open House. Critzer spent countless hours on the sidewalk project starting in 2007 and continuing through 2014 when the project was completed. The 2007 Fincastle Town Council started looking at renovating the town’s aging sidewalks. Mayor Critzer led the council and citizens through community meetings to gauge public interest in the project. The town council applied for grant funding with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for renovation to its sidewalks through a program called TEA, or Transportation Enhancement Act. In the spring of 2008, VDOT notified the Town that it would be eligible for funding for the one million dollar project. Mayor Critzer worked on committees with the engineering firm to design and plan the sidewalk paths, met with concerned citizens, to find solutions for infrastructure issues, identify impacts on the homeowners, explore and make materials choices and control overall costs of the project. A construction contract was awarded to Virginia Carolina Paving in December of 2013. An unforeseen obstacle occurred in January of 2014, when VDOT noticed that the street configuration of this historic town would not meet current Federal traffic lane and parking area width requirements. Thus Critzer and many other citizens spent time considering the impact of one-way streets on the town. IN this Issue: 2015 Projects Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship 2014 Membership Listing Dottie S. Kessler Archives Collection Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace Focus on Volunteer: Karen Shriver 2014 Annual Meeting Summary Like HFI on FACEBOOK Scott Critzer worked from 2007 to 2014, seven years, to see this project come to fruition. HFI and its members recognize him for his dedication to this project and the town of Fincastle. The sidewalks will last many years to come. Newsletter 1 Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship 2014 Historic Fincastle Inc. Awards 2014 Scholarships Israel Christian was an early founder of the Town of Fincastle and donated the land for the Court House. The Israel Christian house, originally a one room log structure, is thought to be the oldest house in Fincastle. The 2014 scholarship winners are Luke Arney from James River High and Christopher Halsey from Lord Botetourt High. These winners were selected from applicants who were required to write a short essay about Merriweather Lewis. Luke Arney is attending William and Mary this year. Luke wrote in his essay: Plant life discovered by Lewis and Clark came to be used for medicinal and consumption purposes. Even though the Native Americans used it long before their expedition, the Canadian Wild Ginger is an example of medicinal plant’s discovery given credit to Lewis and Clark. Serving as an emetic, cathartic and errhine, this ginger cures colds by cleaning out a person’s system. Apart from medicinal purposes of the ginger, Lewis and Clark exposed the Common Snowberry as a beautiful plant worthy of consumption by birds. Like the prairie dog, Lewis and Clark sent snowberries back to President Jefferson…..Lewis and Clark have changed life for every American through knowledge of new species of plants and animals. Lewis’s venture opened the door to a massive populace shift westward all beginning with a simple step from Fincastle, VA. Christopher Halsey is attending Virginia Tech this year. Christopher wrote in his essay: The historical impact of Lewis’s expedition is very important also….The most interesting part of their voyage was the amount of hardships they faced but continued anyway……His expedition started a westward movement for the United States. His expedition described the west to the American citizens and showed them what was in this new territory which was previously unknown…..Without Lewis’s expedition people would not have moved to the west as rapidly as they did and they would have been more hesitant because they did not know what they would encounter in the West…..He endured many hardships but he persevered throughout these difficult trials. He also provided a guideline to moving west and helped start the westward movement. HFI has awarded over $14,000 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 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 Jenny Ladenheim Jenny Ladenheim Meg Sellers Derek Wiley Kim Sharp Rob Campbell Abigail Weddle Dustin King $1000 $1000 $1000 $1000 $500 $500 $500 $1000 2005 Michael Alexander $1000 2006 Joshua Demaury $1000 2003 $ Memory of H.W. Kessler, Jr. Emily Honts Year $ Scholarship Winner Memory of 2007 2008 2009 2010 $500 $500 Hunter Simmons Katie McCampbell Eugene Downs - Changed to high school students $500 Steven Huffman (LBHS) 2011 $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) Luke Arney (JRHS) 2012 2013 Leslie B. Kinion 2014 Newsletter 2 Ron Lucas & Peg Wysong HFI listed in 2014 Best Local Holiday Event – 2nd year HFI 2014 Annual Meeting Summary: Historic Fincastle, Inc. (HFI) held its 2014 Annual Business Meeting on October 21 at the Fincastle Library. The Board of Directors was pleased to report many successes for the organization in 2014. Membership for the year was over 150 members for the first time in recent memory. HFI members from all across the country including the following states: GA, OH, TN, AZ, IN, FL, MI, WA, NY and OR; however, the majority are Botetourt County residents. The Board spent a moment remembering members and supporters who died during 2014: Evelyn M. Beasly, Helen Cronise, Guy Robinson, and Nancy Downs. Lyn Burton presented the current financial/treasurer report. The organization continues to operate under a balanced budget and the report was approved. The 2013 HFI Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace was a successful fundraiser. Sarah Meadows was nominated for the position of Vice President and unanimously approved. The Board expressed gratitude to its corporate sponsors who made financial contributions to the organization in 2013 including The Bank of Fincastle and The Bank of Botetourt. Ongoing Committee activities include continuous updates to the hisfin.org website and Facebook; 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; Archives Committee continues the process for archiving the Dottie Kessler Document Collection; and the continuous maintenance of HFI’s three properties. The windows at the James Matten Early Cabin were repaired, primed and painted and one of the cement walls in the Wysong Blacksmith Shop was scraped and repaired. New handmade iron pendant lights were installed at the blacksmith shop by Mack Neighbors. Major HFI projects discussed for 2015 include: Gateway sign at the intersection of 220 and Main in cooperation with The Town of Fincastle; online data in PastPerfect; an audio version of the town tour guide, blacksmith shop timeline display; tour guide manual; and 2014 HHT&M. Lynne Bolton presented a PowerPoint presentation that was prepared in 1970. Meeting adjourned. Newsletter 3 HFI Annual Membership Social December 2014 was held at Santillane, home of Lissy and Dan Merenda. Thanks to the HFI Board of Directors for providing delicious hors d‘oeuvres for all. Thank you to Beth Pappas for providing photography. Newsletter 4 2015 HFI Board of Directors Officers: Carol S. Brenner-President, Sarah Meadows-Vice-President Sarah Bulmer, Secretary, and Lyn Burton, Treasurer Board Members: Lynne Bolton, Alan Brenner, Kip Burton, Gretchen Greiner, Melodye Hollingsworth, Mary Ann Layman, Lissy Merenda, Marcia Neighbors, and Karen Shriver Newsletter Photos Courtesy of Beth Pappas, Melodye Hollingsworth and Carol Brenner Focus on HFI Volunteer: Karen Shriver has been an HFI volunteer for over 20 years. Karen's love of history and historic buildings was fueled by a field trip with her family to Williamsburg, Va. in 4th grade. Karen's recent number one HFI job is securing homes and buildings for the HFI Holiday Home Tour. Citizens of our community are very generous in allowing visitors in their homes, but many have concerns and worries that Karen quickly puts to rest. Homeowners always speak of Karen's thoughtful home choices and respectfulness of their concerns. Other HFI activities include committee chair for Heritage Days, working on archives collections, James Matten Early Cabin tour guide, tending to herb and flower gardens, and she was an integral editor of the revised HFI Fincastle Tour Guide. Karen was born and raised in Roanoke County and retired in 2003 after 37 years with Norfolk Southern Corporation. She moved here from Atlanta, Ga in 1989 and quickly become an active member of the Botetourt community. She has lovingly restored her historic home, Rustic Lodge, which is one of the most historically documented homes in Botetourt County. Karen's son, Ryan and wife, Regan, live in Richmond, VA and are working to restore a 1920’s home. Karen loves to garden, especially with herbs, work on her home, read, sew and do other handcrafts. HFI members and friends salute Karen for her countless volunteer hours on behalf of our historic town! Newsletter 5 2014 HFI Volunteer Committee Chairs: Lyn Burton, Melodye Hollingsworth, and Karen Shriver 2014 HFI Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace a Great Success! Our 2014 Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace was one the most successful HFI events. The event was blessed with wonderful weather! Over 350 visitors from across Virginia came to Fincastle to tour our historic town. We gratefully thank our major event sponsors: The Bank of Fincastle and The Bank of Botetourt. HFI also thanks our home owners for hosting the following tour sites: Bolton Bungalow James Matten Early Cabin Peck Cottage Kyle House Botetourt County Historical Museum Stoner House Wiegandt Home Fincastle United Methodist Church The HFI Marketplace at Fincastle Baptist Church was a very cheerful venue with over 40 of vendors. The Marketplace provided an excellent opportunity for visitors to view and purchase nice handmade items. HFI would like to thank all the home owners and volunteers that helped make this such a success. Save the Date: 2015 HFI Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace – Dec. 12, 2015 Information will be available on our web site hisfin.org in July Sam Winkler, dressed in period costume, explains the use of herbs in the early 1800’s to James Matten Early Cabin visitors, Peggy Davis, Cathy Goad, and Clemmer Ann Allen. HFI Volunteers, Ruth Thomas and Meg Omer Sam Winkler snapshot: “I have always been interested in American history. When I became involved in the herb society it was very interesting to study the herbs that were used medicinally during the 17th and 18th century. It is interesting to note that most modern day medicines actually stem from early herbal remedies. It is also very interesting to study the herbs used in witchcraft and magic. I guess I am just an old soul at heart in a modern day world.” Newsletter 6 The Dottie S. Kessler Archives Collection Committee While cataloging the treasures in Dottie Kessler’s collection the Archives Committee found this photo of the dedication of the Confederate Monument at the Botetourt County Court House. With it was an original newspaper clipping that was hand dated Thursday, October 27, 1904. The clipping appears to be the second article regarding the dedication, and it starts by apologizing that some interesting information had to be left out of the unknown first article due to space constraints. In this follow-up article, Miss Eloise Johnston was praised as the Chief Sponsor of the event, and her fifteen “maids” were singled out as being “a most pleasing and attractive feature in the beautiful ceremonies of the occasion.” The “maids,” who appear in the upper right of the photo in big, light colored hats, had a crucial task to complete, the unveiling of the monument at the proper time. Later in the article we are given a breakdown of costs related to the monument, which totaled $1535.59. Although many years have passed we agree with this author of 1904 that the monument is “equal in beauty and style to any in the State.” Achieves Committee meets in the James Matten Early Cabin – Dottie Kessler Archives Room For information about the HFI archives collection, please contact any committee member: Gretchen Greiner, Lyn Burton, Karen Shriver, Pat Simmons, Ruth Schwendeman or email [email protected] Newsletter 7 Historic Fincastle, Inc. 2015 Historic Home Plaque Program Many years ago HFI worked with homeowners to place wooden plaques on their historic homes with the circa construction date. Most of these plaques have disappeared or faded to be unrecognizable. The 2015 HFI Board of Directors has voted to start a new bronze house plaque program with two goals: To allow homeowners to show pride in maintaining, and “loving” their historic house To help visitors to identify the houses in conjunction with the HFI Fincastle Tour Guide Seven historic houses in Fincastle were built more than 215 years ago, prior to 1800. These seven houses are the focus of this program for 2015. In order to get the program up and running, HFI is proposing a 50/50 cost share program for the cost of the plaques for these seven houses built prior to 1800. The plaque cost with shipping is approximately $180, therefore, $90 for each party. Homeowners will be contacted directly about this program. The design of these plaques will specify the house by the “common” name and the date of construction (circa). Placement of the plaques will be agreed upon between all parties prior to ordering of the plaque. Placement preference will need to be on the front of the house viewable from the street. Marcia Neighbors and Alan Brenner plan installation of first plaque. Newsletter 8 HFI Lifetime Members Sally Eads, Anita & James Firebaugh, Carole & Chuck Gieger, Sandy Stokes, Pam Wiegandt, Priscilla Richardson, and Sarah Early 2014 HFI Memberships and Donors Individual Memberships Lynne Bolton Brenda F. Chapman Angela P. Coon Janet Coon Michelle A. Crook W.E. & Jo Dunbar Florence Fahrbach Rose Ellen Gravett Glenna Hinson Patricia A. Honts Loretta Ikenberry James M. Johnston Barbara & Pat Kagey Dorothy Langford Harriet Little Valerie Lucas Weldon L.& Susan Martin Geneva Mateer Frank Taylor Miller Emily Moore Mack & Marcia Neighbors Judy Newbern Nancy M. Pauley Ms. Billy W. Proffitt Virginia Dodd Smith Beverly Stafford Katherine Watts HFI continues to support efforts for the Eastward Extension of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Family Memberships Pete & Nancy Adamson Mrs. Max Bertholf Frank & Eleanor Branin Carol & Alan Brenner Neal & Heather Brush Bill & Rhonda Campbell H. Joe Camper & Chad Meyer Arlene & Bob Cheeseman Gene & Barbara Conti Scott & Susan Critzer William & Janice Dillon Jessica & Correy Diviney Charlie & Penny Finn John & Genevieve Goss Liniel G. & Helen M Gregory Jim & Marcia Helms Louis & Virginia Hiett Luther C. Huffman, Jr. Sidney & Tommy Hunter Gary & Dreama Kattenbraker Ed & Ruth Korth Brett & Mary LaGue James W. & Wilma Lambert Kim & David LaPrade Allen & Ann Layman John & Lindsey Layman Betty Luber & Mack Bullard Mary Ann & Matt Miller Kaye & Alan Lowe Gail & Ralph McCampbell Bob & Linda Meadows Dan & Lissy Merenda Lee & Luther Minnix David & Trish Morris Allen & Patricia Nelms Stan & Carolyn Nelson Natalie & Harry Norris Robin & Teresa Reed Continue page 10 Newsletter 9 Friend Memberships Terry & Kathy A. Austin Robert & Sue Bagnoli Peggy Keith Barnett Daniel & Karen Beasley Bob & Sue Birmingham Dr. Henry Bowen Mitch & Bobbie Lou Bowman Susan Besley Bradford John & Patricia Brown Joseph Buhrman Sarah & Bruce Bulmer Kip & Lyn Burton Burton Kerry & Marsha Campbell Dale & Gloria Carter Peggy C. Davis Stan & Connie Diez Lois N. Farmer Mike & Cathy Goad Lee & Gretchen Greiner Steve & Ann-Marie Hamblin Betty B. Hawes Hemco Gage & Plasma-Tec James E. Hickenbotham Karen & Henry Hicks Robert H. Hoffman Melodye Hollingsworth Robert & Helen Holt Carol & Devereux Jarratt Garland & Jane Jones Brian & Marni Jones Charlotte & Daniel Jones George Kegley Mahlon & Gret Kidd Julia & Michael Klapproth L&M Properties, LLC Rodney & Mary Catherine Layman Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D. Logan Lee B. McBride Continue page 10 Family Memberships continued Thank you to all the members and donors to Historic Fincastle, Inc. These membership donations make it possible to complete yearly projects and support preservation in Fincastle and the surrounding area. continued Ed, Verna & Mark Shuey Kathleen & Michael Sloan Jack & Betty Spigle Alvin & Pamela Thacker Tony & Karen Triplette Paul & Terry Tucker Lee & Debbie Turner Patty & Rick Vari Bob & Reedie Waid Richard & Paige Ware Kirk & Bettina Wehner H. Douglas & Trish Wilhelm Pete & Freda Wood Patron Level Friend Memberships Gail McMillan Helen Morris & Kerry Morris Betty Newman Joseph B. & Marcia Obenshain Meg & Bob Omer Beth & Steve Pappas John & Julia Patterson Don & Judi Race Virginia Reynolds Erik & Ruth A. Schwendeman Karen Shriver Pat Simmons Dr.& Mrs. W. Graham Stephens Doris Sutton George & Shirley Sydnor Josh & Lori Taube Rosemary & Ray Thomas Eleanor Neville McDowell Thompson John & Linda Thornton Scott & Barbara VanCleef Charles J. Wehrmeister Donald & Ulla Wetherington C. Locke Wysong Samuel Wysong Jerry Wysong Doris E. Sutton- Wysong Family Association Corporate Sponsors Dr. Henry Bowen Mike & Cathy Goad Hemco Gage & Plasma-Tec James E. Hickenbotham Karen & Henry Hicks John & Julia Patterson Pat Simmons Rosemary & Ray Thomas Eleanor Neville McDowell Thompson Charles J. Wehrmeister Samuel Wysong Kathleen Wyson- Wysong Family Association The Bank of Fincastle The Bank of Botetourt The Town of Fincastle Newsletter 10 HFI Projects Oral Remembrances: The goal of this project is to gather and share oral remembrances of long-time residents of Fincastle and the surrounding area. The interviews, conducted by volunteer members of the HFI Board, will be added to our web site. We hope to record a rich variety of interesting stories, some from the earliest days of Fincastle. The speaker may choose their topic and relay their stories in their own voice. Some ideas are: How have things changed in town or remained the same? How did national issues impact local residences? What was daily life like? Any interesting remembrance can be relayed in the oral histories collected. Oral remembrances are the personal recollections of the persons interviewed, who have volunteered to participate and share their perceptions and opinions. These are not a substitute for official records and data. If you would like to participate in this project, please email us at historicfincastle.com Wysong Blacksmith Displays: A history of Fincastle and the United States timeline has been added to the displays in the Wysong Blacksmith Shop. The timeline was designed by Ben Moser and produced by Sign Design. In addition, the blacksmith tool displays have been improved for better presentation during school and visitor tours. New hand-crafted light fixtures were also installed. We thank all the volunteers who assisted with this ongoing project. However, there is one display item we would like to add to the collection, a blacksmith apron, the more worn the better. If you have this item and would like to donate it, please email HFI at [email protected] Newsletter 11