The
Arch, Volume 5 Number 1, Winter 1998
The
Arch, Volume 5 Number 1, Winter 1998
News From the Board
At a special Board meeting on Dec. 13th, the Board reviewed the proposed
agreement with the National Park Service and suggested minor modifications
to be incorporated. The Board also discussed the two proposals for areas
to be used for the Battle of Crampton’s Gap Museum, one of which would
be to enclose the pavilion as exhibit space. Several members expressed
concern about the loss of pavilion space. Joe Motter made a motion that
a third plan be adopted, i.e. to use the existing pavilion as exhibit space
and develop another picnic pavilion elsewhere in the park. The motion carried.
(Note: although the motion carried, the final decision about the location
of the new exhibits is up to DNR).
APRIL MEMBERSHIP MEETING is scheduled for Saturday the 18th, @ 10 a.m. at Gapland Hall. Following a short meeting, Tim Reese will give a lecture/slide presentation on the Battle of Crampton’s Gap (See Happenings in the Park for more about Tim). This is a wonderful opportunity for all members and docents (current and potential) to learn about the Battle that probably changed the course of the Civil War and will be considered part of F.O.G.’s docent training program. Non-Members Welcome.
RED, WHITE AND BLUE DAYS are scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 26th noon to 5 p.m. We have had requests for this "repeat performance" from members and people in the community, however, this year it may not be as elaborate as our 1996 Centennial version. But we will have crafters, and Bessie’s Attic, which was a big hit last time. Donations of items for the Attic (Books, Toys, Household Items, but NO Clothing) can be brought to the March workday, April meeting or call Marge Magruder or Sharon Schroebel. The weekend coincides with the Valley Studio Tour and the two should compliment one another. We hope we can count on local members to assist on these days so the event will be a success.
A CIGAR AND BRANDY EVENING is being planned for Saturday evening September 12th, as part of the Civil War Living History Weekend. This fundraising event is a joint effort of F.O.G. and SMRA. In addition to the "ceegars" and brandy, we will have a delicious catered buffet and entertainment. Watch newsletter for further details. Anyone wishing to assist in this effort can call Marge Magruder.
THE SENECA VALLEY SUGARLOAFERS VOLKSMARCH CLUB is planning another hike at Gathland on Saturday and Sunday, October 24th and 25th. Again, they are graciously planning to donate profits to F.O.G. for part projects. More detail later.
1998 Board Meetings
June 9th 1998
September 8th 1998
All Board meetings are at 7pm in Gapland Hall and are
open to members. Meetings may be rescheduled in cases of inclement weather.
1998 Membership Meetings and other events
March 21st 1998 -Work day to ready park for 1998
season: 9am to 1pm.
April 4th 1998 - Museum opens for season.
April 18th 1998 - Membership Meeting Lecture & Slide Presentation
by Tim Reese on Battle of Cramptons Gap
April 25th & 26th 1998 - Red, White, and Blue Days 10-5 & Noon
- 5
May 16th 1998 - Work Day: 9am-1pm
June 20th 1998 - Membership Meeting July 18th - Work day: 9am to 1pm.
August 15th 1998 -Membership Meeting Sept. 12/13th-Civil War Living
History Weekend
Sept. 12th 1998 (evening)-Cigar & Brandy Social
Sept. 19th 1998 -Annual Meeting, Elections, and Picnic
Oct. 17th 1998 - Workday: 9am-1pm
Oct. 25th 1998 -Museum closes for season
Nov. 21st 1998 - Membership Meeting
All Membership Meetings are in Gapland Hall and begin
at 10am on the 3rd Saturday of every other month.
At the January 27th Board meeting, the following were some of the items discussed:
Reviewed the Treasurer’s end of year report and proposed 1998 budget. Some modifications were made and the final budget will be approved at the March meeting.
Approved donations of $100 to the Historic Sites Consortium and $50 to The Community Foundation of Frederick County.
Approved expenditure of $1600, which will be paired with an equal amount in the South Mountain Recreation Area budget, to hire a seasonal (interpretive) ranger for the park. This position, in conjunction with our present docents, will enable the museum to be open about four or five days a week during the season.
Discussed and approved three events for the coming season: Red, White and Blue Days, Cigar and Brandy Evening and Volksmarch. (See Upcoming Events)
THE GRANT to remodel the rest room in Gapland Hall is complete. The project almost took on a life of its own, but thanks to the persistance of Duke Magruder, it was ready in time for the Museums by Candlelight. Our thanks to the Museum Assistance Program for the grant money and to the Boonsboro Historic Society, the Society of Civil War Correspondents and the Seneca Valley Sugarloafers Volksmarch Club for their generous donations, as well as Mr. Fred Munds for donating some of the plumbing equipment. And a great big thank you to Duke! There is (but not enought) money remaining to work on the side entry to build a ramp and handicapped parking area. This year’s fund-raisers should make that happen.
TIM REESES’S long-awaited feature article about the Battle of Crampton’s Gap is in the February issue of Blue and Gray Magazine. The issue sold out like hot cakes in the Frederick area, but F.O.G. is purchasing 100 copies which should arrive soon. They will be available at the Museum when it opens April 4th, at our workdays and meetings or call Marge. Tim’s publisher says his forthcoming book, Sealed With Their Lives: The Battle for Crampton’s Gap will be out in the spring. As soon as we receive a definite date we are planning a book signing at the park.
CRAMPTON’S GAP MUSEUM - with the publication of Tim Reese’s article
in Blue and Gray Magazine and his upcoming book due out shortly, Crampton’s
Gap will really be on the map. There is little at the park to interpret
this historic event and the story of the men who fought on both sides.
The Department of Natural Resources provided start-up funds for the Exhibit
Services Program to develop phase I of the museum: the conceptual plan
to interpret the Battle of South Mountain, with emphasis on Crampton’s
Gap. In December F.O.G. had submitted a grant proposal to the American
Battlefield Protection Program for funds to develop the design and specifications
for the exhibits (phase II). Just prior to press we were notified that
our application was not funded. So it is back to the drawing board for
Phase II funding. Phase III will be the big and expensive part ... securing
funds for the actual fabrication of the exhibits.
ANNE LONG has volunteered to be Docent Coordinator and will
be recruiting, scheduling and arranging training for docents at the museum.
Those desiring more information can call Anne. Tim McCown, last year’s
coordinator, will remain a docent.
"ADOPT" A PART OF THE ARCH - F.O.G. and National Park Service have entered into an agreement that will enable F.O.G. to raise funds to be used for specific projects "to preserve, protect, restore, promote and interpret the Civil War Correspondents Memorial Arch, and Museum and Grounds of Gathland State Park which encompasses areas of the South Mountain Ballefield. The theme of the initial fundraising effort as "Written in Stone" and will enable members and the public to "adopt" a part of the Arch for specified donations. This support will allow the general public and organizations to partner with the Friends in the stewardship of this Maryland treasure. Letters with specific details will be mailed shortly.
Anne Long and Marge Magruder attended the Small Museum Association Winter Conference in Ocean City, Maryland. In addition to some good ideas, they met lots of wonderful museum colleagues.
Members Lorna Hainesworth and Don Domain "tied the knot" in late December and wil l still live in Randallstown. Congratulations and Best Wishes!
Congratulations are also extended to Debbie (Treasurer) and Chris Parr, who will become parents in August. We plan on training Baby Parr to help Mom count the money!!
Tim McCown has thrown his hat into the political ring and will run for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Officers
Marge Magruder President
Joe Motter Vice President
Debbie Parr Secretary/Treasurer
Board Members
Lorna Hainesworth (Membership)
Willis VanDevanter
Sharon Schroebel
Mike Barnhart
Darce Easton
John Howard/National Park Service @ Antietam
National Battlefield
Al Preston/Maryland
Dept of Natural Resources-Greenbrier State Park
This newsletter is a publication of The Friends of Gathland State Park, Inc. Its intent and use is solely to promote Gathland State Park, which is part of the State Forest and Park Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The Friends of Gathland State Park are wholly separate from the Park Service. The Arch is published quarterly. The Newsletter deadline is 10 days prior to the first of the month for the next quarterly issue. We welcome your submissions to the newsletter and reserve the right to edit and determine placement of all items submitted.