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Ellwood restoration project gains federal centennial grant Date published: 4/25/2008
By RUSTY DENNEN Efforts to restore a historic house in the Wilderness battlefield got a boost yesterday from the Interior Department. Ellwood, the only Civil War-era house still standing on the battlefield, will receive $240,500 toward an ongoing rehabilitation project. And Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will get $40,000 for a virtual interactive map of the Fredericksburg battlefield. The military park will contribute another $40,000 for that project--money raised from visitor's donations. "We're really pleased with this and we're hoping that other partners will step forward, knowing that this money will be available," said Russ Smith, superintendent of military park, who was among national park officials present on the Capitol steps for yesterday's announcement by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. "This first round of projects will improve parks nationwide--large and small, urban and rural, natural and historical," Kempthorne said. The money is part of $24.6 million awarded nationally in Centennial Challenge Projects and Programs grants to 110 national parks. That's been matched by nearly $27 million from private-sector friends groups and other national park supporters. The initiative aims to match up to $100 million a year in private contributions to help prepare for the 100th anniversary of national parks in 2016. Ellwood, built in the 1790s by William and Betty Jones, is a house rich in history. Union and Confederate luminaries occupied the property at times during the Civil War. During the 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederates used the house as a field hospital. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's left arm is buried in the family cemetery. In the early 1800s, Ellwood was impressive for its time, with eight rooms, a porch and a basement. The average-size house of the time was 1 rooms. The Marquis de Lafayette stopped by for breakfast in 1825. The National Park Service took possession of the property in 1977 when its last owner, Leo Jones, died. Since then, the National Park Service and Friends of Wilderness Battlefield have been returning the house and grounds to their former glory. The friends group has raised $291,000 for renovations estimated to cost about $496,000. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park applied for the federal centennial funds last year. The first phase of Ellwood's restoration--a hallway and two front rooms off the entrance--was finished earlier this year. That included the parlor where Gen. Gouverneur Warren received a report of horrendous casualties during the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864. That room will be furnished to reflect Warren's occupancy. The other room will house exhibits. The second phase will be the stairway, hall and breezeway and the west room on the first floor. Then the upstairs will be restored. Another Virginia national park also will receive centennial funds. Manassas National Battlefield Park is getting $72,000 for interpretive elements at Brawner Farm. Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Date published: 4/25/2008
I don't work for the parks, I don't even live in the Berg anymore. But I do keep up with the area. If 1958 knows so much about the monies spent why not show them on the post site? Would you rather see $500,000 go to just one winery? If you want to take pot shots at people,learn to spell.
we can see who on here works for the park, i know my self they have spent millions there on one house and there not finshed, come on we know thats not right, 30 or more years to restore a house
It's far better that they preserve our national heritage than to waste the money researching the effects of video games, grants to wineries, to research the affect of a broken wing on a duck. The Park Service is our past, present, and future, it has the heart to stand up to developers and others who's avarice turns the historical lands into shopping malls or subdivisions.
Why so much? $40,000 for an interactive MAP? Jeez....
i would like to see the figure of home many millions have been spent on this house all ready, every one will be shocked at the figure, its great to redo the house but it should not be a place for our goverment to throw our money away, some one look into it that can find the facts, please
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