Image courtesy of Colonial National Historical Park, Yorktown.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Col. James Williams at King's Mountain

Historical Marker Honors Community Role in Revolutionary War

A new highway marker is highlighting the role the Charlottesville and Albemarle County community played in the Revolutionary War.
Virginia Department of Historic Resources dedicated the marker on Saturday at the entrance to the Barracks Equestrian Center in Charlottesville.
According to the highway marker, 4,000 British troops and German mercenaries captured following the Battle of Saratoga in New York arrived there after marching from Massachusetts in January 1779.
Most prisoners lived in primitive huts spread out over several hundred acres of the barracks camp. Supplying and guarding the prisoners taxed the resources of the community and militia for two years.
Dr. Phil Williams with the Sons of the American Revolution said, "It's maybe the greatest story never told about Charlottesville history and so I am thrilled that we will now immortalize this story and this is available not only to the local residents here in Charlottesville, but those that are visiting."
The marker is located on Barracks Farm Road.

Sigal Museum to Display Rare Copy of the Declaration of Independence

Monday, June 25, 2012

Design Shown for the Museum of the American Revolution

The Parsons' Cause Foundation Summer 2012 Performances

The Parsons' Cause Foundation, Inc. is pleased to present the following performances during the Summer of 2012:

June 23 – “The Parsons’ Cause – Prelude to Revolution”
June 30 – “Freedom’s Apostles – The Trial of the Spotsylvania Baptists”
July 7 – “The Parsons’ Cause – Prelude to Revolution”
July 14 – “Freedom’s Apostles – The Trial of the Spotsylvania Baptists”
July 21 – “The Parsons’ Cause – Prelude to Revolution”
July 28 – “Freedom’s Apostles – The Trial of the Spotsylvania Baptists”
August 4 – “The Parsons’ Cause – Prelude to Revolution”
August 11 – “Freedom’s Apostles – The Trial of the Spotsylvania Baptists”
August 18 – “The Parsons’ Cause – Prelude to Revolution”
August 25 – “Patrick Henry – The Voice of Liberty”

All performances begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Historic Hanover Courthouse, Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover, Virginia 23069. Each performance runs about 45 minutes.
Performances are free and open to the public. Donations are, however, gladly accepted.

Groups of 10 or more should call 804-837-4900 to make reservations to attend a performance. For individuals or groups of less than 10, no advance reservations are required. Tickets will be distributed beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the date of the show. The number of tickets distributed will be limited to the legal capacity of the courthouse.

The Parsons’ Cause Foundation, Inc. is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Contributions to The Parsons’ Cause Foundation, Inc. are tax deductible. The Foundation receives no government funding or support. To make a contribution, and/or to volunteer to assist with performances, contact The Foundation:

The Parsons’ Cause Foundation, Inc..
P.O. Box 364
Mechanicsville, VA 23111-0364
804-837-4900

National Trust for Historic Preservation Names New Jersey's Princeton Battlefield to Its 2012 List of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Annual List Marks 25th Anniversary of Sounding the Alarm for Places at Risk

Washington (June 6, 2012) – Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Princeton Battlefield in Princeton, N.J., to its 2012 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. This annual list spotlights important examples of the nation’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage that are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage.  More than 230 sites have been on the list over its 25-year history, and in that time, only a handful of listed sites have been lost.

Princeton Battlefield is the site of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle where General George Washington rallied his forces to defeat British troops. Waged 235 years ago, the battle at Princeton was a crucial turning point in America’s War of Independence, marking one of General Washington’s first victories over professional British soldiers. Not only did Washington’s success inspire countless soldiers to renew their commissions, it also reinvigorated financial and political support for the war effort throughout the colonies. Many historians believe that this battle, along with the Battle of Trenton, saved the American Revolution, and changed the course of world history.

A portion of the battle site is now threatened by a 15-unit housing development planned by the Institute for Advanced Study. As proposed, the project would radically alter the integrity of the historic landscape, which has never been built upon, burying or destroying potential archaeological resources and dramatically changing the topography of the terrain - an important element of the battle and essential to interpreting the battle today. Local preservationists, led by the Princeton Battlefield Society, are working to prevent construction of housing on this significant portion of the Princeton Battlefield and permanently protect the site from future development.

“The Battle of Princeton transformed prospects for the American Revolution and proved to be a major turning point in the war,” said Stephanie Meeks,president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The story of our country’s fight for independence is incomplete without a fully preserved Princeton Battlefield.”

Members of the public are invited to learn more about what they can do to support these 11 historic places and hundreds of other endangered sites at
www.PreservationNation.org/places

Construction of Yorktown Victory Center Replacement to Begin This Month

YORKTOWN, Va., June 15, 2012 – Work begins this month on building the new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to replace the Yorktown Victory Center. W.M. Jordan Company, Inc., of Newport News is construction manager for the first phases of the project, expected to total $20.7 million, including a new 80,000-square-foot facility and visitor parking areas and eventual demolition of existing structures.

The Yorktown Victory Center, located at Route 1020 and the Colonial Parkway in Yorktown, is operated by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, a Virginia state agency, and the museum replacement project is funded primarily through the sale of Virginia Public Building Authority bonds. Private donations will support elements of gallery and outdoor exhibits and educational resources.

While some exhibits and parking availability will be impacted at various stages, the Yorktown Victory Center will continue in operation as a museum of the American Revolution throughout construction. “We are committed to providing our visitors an excellent experience while construction is under way,” Foundation Executive Director Philip G. Emerson said, “and are planning additional interpretive demonstrations and interactive experiences.”

The phases managed by W.M. Jordan Company start with a section of new parking space and removal of the museum’s “Road to Revolution” open-air timeline exhibit, continue with construction of the new building, and conclude with demolition of existing gallery, visitor services and maintenance buildings.

The new building, situated on the 22-acre site to directly face the roadway entrance to the museum, will encompass expanded exhibition galleries, classrooms and support functions. New permanent gallery exhibits will be fabricated and installed over an approximately two-year period after the building is in use, and the museum’s outdoor re-created Continental Army encampment and Revolutionary-period farm will be expanded and relocated.

Architect for the museum replacement project is Westlake Reed Leskosky of Cleveland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C., with Hopke & Associates of Williamsburg as associate architect. Gallagher & Associates of Silver Spring, Md., is exhibit designer. Upon completion of the entire project, “American Revolution Museum at Yorktown” will be the museum’s name.