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The
Brandy Station Foundation
Annual Report
For
2009
Any comments or inquires concerning this report should be directed to:
Brandy Station Foundation P.O. Box 165 Brandy Station, Virginia 22714
Or 540-727-7718
This report is also available on the Brandy Station Foundation website http://www.brandystationfoundation.com
LETTER TO THE MEMBERSHIP
March 1, 2010
“A stable ship sails more smoothly into unchartered waters...”
The year of 2009 encountered an unprecedented economic downturn which in turn had a significant impact on the fiscal year of the Brandy Station Foundation.
Visitation was slightly down, but Graffiti House gift shop sales were up, as well as increased attendance at our lecture series. Bus tours to Graffiti House and the Brandy Station battlefields and driving tours saw increased participation, and attendance at our special events also increased.
In the spring of 2009, before we could begin to service larger tour groups, we had to bring the weight load capacity of our first and second floors at Graffiti House up to the Culpeper County building code. The 2008 Architectural Report on the Graffiti House conducted by Dalgliesh, Gilpin and Paxton of Charlottesville identified the urgent need to stabilize the first floor, stairway and second floor to allow continued visitation by tourists to view the graffiti in the upstairs bedrooms.
The Foundation contracted Tidewater Preservation Inc. to perform the necessary tasks and the project was completed in April in time for the numerous bus tour groups visiting in the springtime. Because of problems not anticipated by the architects or engineers, the completion of the project was delayed by several weeks and the cost of the project exceeded the original estimates by over $10,000. The condition of the second floor support floor joists was far worse than foreseen and we are very fortunate that no structural damage had occurred during any prior group tourist visitations.
In July, we entered into a unique joint working relationship and agreement with the Neversink Valley Area Museum of Orange County New York to exhibit and display The Dolson Flag. This flag was handmade by Liana Dolson, at the age of 71, for some of her family members to carry into battle with the 124th New York in their engagements at Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, and The Wilderness. The flag’s construction is of cotton with an unusual double-sided canton. Viewed from the front the canton shows 21 stars in an exploding galaxy, while viewed from the reverse side, one sees 13 stars arranged as a St. Andrew’s cross.
Kearney Associates of Culpeper donated a fine cabinetry support for the display of the flag. The Foundation has requested a return of the flag in 2011 for display during the Civil War Sesquicentennial Celebration events in Culpeper County.
In 2010, with the economy and the Graffiti House being stabilized, we look forward to continued growth in membership, visitations, and our special programs. Your unwavering financial support of the Brandy Station Foundation is deeply appreciated and allows us to creatively fulfill our missions.
For the Board of Directors,
Robert L. Jones President
Brandy Station Foundation (BSF) Annual Report Year 2009
Strategic Goals:
The Board of Directors has formulated four strategic goals which focus all of the activities of our BSF members, directors and volunteers. These are to: (1) Conserve, protect and nurture the historic rural character of the Brandy Station sector within Culpeper County, Virginia; (2) Preserve and protect the Brandy Station and Kelly’s Ford Battlefields and related sites of historical significance for the appreciation and education of future generations; (3) Recognize and honor the courage and dedication of the Confederate and Union soldiers who fought and served here at Brandy Station; (4) Advance knowledge and understanding of the history of the battles, the region and its environment.
2009 Accomplishments toward the Strategic Goals
Historic Preservation: Graffiti House Interpretation – Implementing the recommendation from the Gilpin Report, the first floor, stairwell, and second floor were stabilized with new floor joists to bring the house into compliance with current Culpeper County building codes. This will permit larger numbers of tour group visitors to view the graffiti simultaneously.
The BSF owns 8.0 acres of land located adjacent to Kelly’s Ford on the Rappahannock River. This land was the location of fighting during the March 17, 1863 (Kelly’s Ford) and November 7, 1863 (Rappahannock Station) battles as well as the transient point for Federal troops under General David McM.Gregg during the June 9, 1863 Battle of Brandy Station. The land has been cleaned, trails established and signage erected to provide education of the history of the Kelly’s Ford area to the public.
The BSF continued the stewardship of the historic St. James Church site (2.0 acres) from the Vestry of the Christ Episcopal Church of Brandy Station. The land has been cleaned, trails established and signage updated. A joint commorative church service was held at the site on the June 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Brandy Station.
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Grants – The BSF was awarded $85,000 in funding from the Commonwealth Transportation Board for construction of a vehicle pull-off area with pedestrian facilities at the Fleetwood Heights property. The Virginia Legislature’s T-21 grant allocation provides $68,000 of the funding requested. This multiple year project concludes in 2011. Project activities will commence in 2010.
Educational Excellence:
Attendance – In 2009 visitation at the Graffiti House was 2,744; a decrease of almost 17% over 2008. The economy was a major factor negatively effecting tourism nationally.
The Ankers Learning Center named after longtime Brandy Station residents and friends, Dot and Doc Ankers, features books, papers and other research materials related to the Brandy Station battlefield and area. The Center houses a large screen TV which presents our 12 minute orientation movie on the Battle of Brandy Station. Additional Civil War video productions are also available for public viewing. Our library continues to grow with numerous donations of period books/periodicals.
Bus Tours – Eleven (11) bus tours were conducted during this year enabling two hundred forty one (241) people to tour the Graffiti House.
Battlefield Tours: Driving Tours conducted in 2009: Beverly Ford & St. James Church: April 4, May 30, July 25 Kelly’s Ford & Stevensburg: April 18, June 13, Aug. 8 Fleetwood Hill: May 2, June 27, Aug. 22 Buford’s Knoll & Yew Ridge: May 16, July 11, Sept. 5
A Spirited Evening at Brandy Station - On October 25, the Brandy Station Foundation held its second “Spirited Evening at Brandy Station”, with over 50 people (plus our spectral residents) attending.
In addition to the wonderful tales of the beyond told by story-tellers in the upper rooms, also in attendance were members of Virginia Paranormal Investigators (VPI), a Virginia based ‘ghost hunting group’. VPI demonstrated their unique equipment, displayed images of some of their incidents and talked with the guests about the ghost hunting experience in general and some specific tales of VPI from their own members. VPI has hunted at the Graffiti House on two separate occasions.
Living History Programs – Several Civil War re-enactment groups were hosted at the Graffiti House throughout the year. These living historians set up their camps and sites outside and inside the house. Each unit that visited Brandy Station had a link to the town during the civil war, and many had an opportunity to visit the areas where the unit they were portraying saw action or passed through.
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Membership and Friends: The Foundation is composed of members and friends who are committed to the inspiration of current and future generations to honor the sacrifices of the past by the creation of a living battlefield memorial. It is this membership and affiliation, represented by the elected leaders on its Board of Directors and appointed Advisory Panel, which forms the heart of the Foundation.
At the end of 2009, our membership data base stood at 562 members and friends.
Membership Percentages
Board of Directors Executive Council: President – Robert Jones, Vice-President – Edward Gentry, Treasurer – Anthony Seidita, Secretary – Mary Tholand Board members: Michael Block, Jane Brookins, Alan Culpeper, Helen Geisler, Clark B. Hall, Peggy Misch
Resources The resources of the BSF consist of five pieces of property - the Graffiti House, the (1 acre) lot on Old Brandy Road, Gregg’s (Wyndham’s) Approach (14 acres), the Fleetwood Hill Overlook (18.9 acres), the Kelly’s Ford Overlook (8 acres) and the financial holdings shown on the 2009 Financial Summary. Additionally, the BSF has leased and maintains 2 acres encompassing the site where the Saint James Church was located.
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Plans for 2010:
The Graffiti House: In March a major project will commence to stabilize plaster in the large front bedroom, to uncover some additional graffiti and to place a coat of varnish over the existing graffiti to assist in preservation.
Fleetwood Hill Overlook: The BSF continues development of a plan for the integration of the 18.9 acres of land located at the western foot of Fleetwood Hill with the existing 14.0 acres (Gregg’s Approach) into a visitor friendly battlefield park. As the plan develops, the BSF will work to install vehicle access and parking, signage, interpretive displays, and walking paths. This plan will be funded by the Virginia Transportation T-21 grant.
St. James Church: The BSF will continue to develop the full historic and tourist potential of the property while honoring the sacred religious nature of the site. The BSF will conduct a joint church service with the Christ Episcopal Church on June 13th to honor those who fell on June 9, 1863 at the Battle of Brandy Station.
Kelly’s Ford (Future Plan): The BSF will continue to plan for the full historic and tourist potential of this property through historic preservation, signage, interpretative displays and walking paths when funds become available.
Saturday Battlefield Tours 2010
The BSF will present a series of two-hour tours, one devoted to each of the four engagements that comprised the Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863. Transportation: Personal vehicle caravan will depart from the Graffiti House at 10AM. The cost is $10 (children under 12 are free). No reservations are needed.
Beverly Ford & St. James Church (April 3, May 29, July 24) Kelly's Ford & Stevensburg (April 17, June 12, Aug 7) Fleetwood Hill (May 1, June 26, Aug 21) Buford Knoll & Yew Ridge (May 15, July 10, Sept 4)
Beverly Ford & St. James Church – April 3, May 29, July 24 The first tour in the series covers the early morning fighting between troops under the command of Union General John Buford and those commanded by his West Point classmate, Confederate General William E. "Grumble" Jones. Incidents examined include the death of Union Colonel Benjamin Franklin Davis in a one-on-one encounter with a Confederate lieutenant on the Beverly Ford Road, and the charge of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry against Confederate artillery at Saint James Church.
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Kelly’s Ford & Stevensburg – April 17, June 12, Aug 7 The second tour in the series begins with a discussion of the Union river-crossing at Kelly's Ford, and then follows the route of march of the Union cavalry division commanded by Colonel Alfred Napoleon Duffie to Stevensburg. This tour concludes with a description of the mortal wounding of Captain William Farley, JEB Stuart's volunteer aide de camp.
Fleetwood Hill – May 1, June 26, Aug 21 The third tour focuses on the fighting for Fleetwood Hill, the most intense and prolonged combat on June 9, 1863. At one point 12 regiments -- 6 Union and 6 Confederate -- struggled for control of the hilltop.
Buford Knoll & Yew Ridge – May 15, July 10, Sept 4 The final installment in the series of tours presents the fighting that took place later in the afternoon of June 9 between General Buford and General W.H.F. "Rooney" Lee's brigade.
Sunday Lecture Series
The Brandy Station Foundation Sunday lecture series begins again this April—a welcome sign of spring! The lectures are the last Sunday of the month from April through October and begin at 2:00 PM. Everyone is welcome and the lectures are free
4/25/10 "Mosby’s Keydet Rangers" – Eric Buckland 5/30/10 "Topic TBD" - Joseph McKinney 6/27/10 "It Started in Prince William County—JEB Stuart’s Controversial Ride to Gettysburg” – Mark Trbovich 7/25/10 TBA 8/29/10 "The Life & Times of John Mosby" – Dave Goetz 9/26/10 "The Memory of the Civil War”- Richard Deardoff 10/31/10 "The Battle of Rappahannock Station" – Michael Block
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BRANDY STATION FOUNDATION
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