The
Arch, Volume 6 Number ,1 Winter 1999 (published
March 1999)
Message from the President
As many of you know, two meetings, spearheaded by Delegate Bruce Poole
of Washington County, were held last summer to discuss interest in establishing
a battlefield state park at Crampton's Gap. Pros and cons were discussed
and the last meeting ended with Gene Piotrowski of DNR taking a list of
those interested in investigating such an monumental undertaking. While
Bruce Poole did not get reelected in November and things were in limbo
for awhile, Delegate Louise Snodgrass ,who attended the last meeting, did
not forget the idea. She is drafting a House Joint Resolution that will
establish a task force which will assist DNR in studying the feasibility
of establishing a battlefield state park and make recommendations by December
1999. Articles about the resolution appeared in the Frederick
News Post and the Hagerstown Herald
Mail in early February. At the Friends Board of Directors meeting in
January, the battlefield state park concept was again discussed. The Board
came to the conclusion that while we strongly support a state battlefield
park, we were not in a position to spearhead such a huge project. However,
the Board also concluded that we could be active members of a study group.
While the composition of the proposed task force is not yet decided, we
hope that The Friends of Gathland will be invited to participate. The 1862
events on South Mountain need to be properly interpreted to visitors, as
well as the life of George Alfred Townsend, who came to the gap 22 years
later. The two are forever intertwined. The ARCH will keep you posted on
developments.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce two new appointees to
the Board: Bruce Reeder, former Frederick County Commissioner, has agreed
to serve for three years and Bill Van Gilder, owner of Van Gilder Pottery
on Townsend Road, has agreed to a two year term. They join new Board member
Bob Hayas, who was elected at FOG's September meeting.
All three bring new interest, vitality and ideas to our organization. Welcome!
RESTORING VIEW OF THE ARCH
Remember way, way, way back in the fall of 1994, when FOG members and
volunteers cleared some of the trees below the arch? The project was put
on hold because FOG did not have the necessary heavy equipment, nor the
funds, to hire a contractor to complete the job. With increased visitation
to the park, the Board felt that it was time to "revisit" the project.
Working with SFPS, Bob Hayas will develop a timber harvest plan to be approved
by appropriate agencies. After a period for public comment, SFPS will put
a contract out for bid to cut and harvest a delineated area. And, lest
there be some that have misgivings that the results will be a bare mountainside,
the area below the arch will be replanted with low/slow-growing trees or
shrubs and ground cover. The final phase will be to install tasteful dusk-to-dawn
lighting, so that, in keeping with "Gath's" original plans, the Arch will
be visible from the valley below.
FOG TO HOST C.W. COMMISSION
The Friends have been asked to host a meeting of the Maryland Civil
War Heritage Commission on Saturday, Feb. 20th, at the park. Established
in 1992 by Gov. Wm. Donald Schafer, the Commission is charged, among other
things, with identifying and prioritizing for protection Maryland Civil
War sites and structures, and coordinating Maryland's participation with
the federal gov't and private foundations to secure support and financial
resources for the protection and enhancement of Civil War sites and structures.
FOG member Tim Reese will be guest speaker and present a slide presentation
on the Battle of Crampton's Gap.
CIGAR AND BRANDY NIGHT
The Cigar and Brandy Night, originally scheduled for last September,
but postponed for lack of planning time, will be held the evening of Sept.11th,
1999. Tim McCown will be working with Dan Spedden (SFPS) to coordinate
the event. Dan is working with a manufacturer to have a "GATH" cigar reproduced
for the event. Those familiar with Townsend history will remember he had
a cigar named after him. The event will be offered to re-enactors taking
part in the Battle of South Mountain Reenactment and will be a fund raiser
for The Friends. More details as they evolve.
CANDLELIGHT TOUR DELIGHTS VISITORS
The air outside was crisp and cool but it was oh so cozy in Gathland
Hall on Saturday, December 12, when Gathland Park once again participated
in the "Museums by Candlelight" tour. The fire was blazing and spirits
were high as we were host to a record number (67 total) of visitors!
The tour was restructured this year into separate "loops," Gathland Park being in the "southern" loop. We're not sure if this was the reason behind the steady flow of people but we were happy to have them regardless. All who came seemed to enjoy the warm atmosphere, period holiday decor as well as the delicious mulled cider and baked confections. We're happy to report we had visitors from all over the area, some hailing from as far as Baltimore, Pensylvania and Washington, DC.
Children (and some adults, too!) who attended were given the opportunity to participate in some traditional, "old fashioned" holiday activities, including stringing popcorn and cranberrries, making paper chains and snowflakes and decorating a holiday ornament.
In addition to thanking the many members who decorated, baked and otherwise helped to make the event a success, we would also like to thank the public who came out to see us. YOU are the reason we're here and we enjoy the opportunity to share the "hidden treasure" of Gathland State Park with you. Please watch the paper and check our Sound Source line for upcoming activities. We'd love to have you visit again!
Computer Donation Fog recently recieved a donation of a computer from Avemco Insurance Co. of Frederick. Anyone who might know where we could get a laser printer please contact Sharon Schroebel.
Governor Parris Glendenning has declared the year 2000 to be The Year of the Parks and will appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the state parks.
Please clip/save and mark your 1999 calendars. Any changes will be reported in subsequent issues of The Arch.
1999 Board Meetings
March 9th, June 8th, Sept 14th
All Board meetings are at 7pm in Gapland Hall and are open to members. Meetings may be rescheduled in cases of inclement weather.
1999 Membership Meetings and Other Events
Feb 21-23 1999 - Small Museum Conference @ Ocean
City
Feb 26-27 1999 - Master Docent Series @ Hood College
March 20 1999 - Membership Meeting
March 27 1999 - Workday: 9am - Noon
April 10 1999 - Museum Open
April 24 1999 - Workday: 9am - Noon
May 15 1999 - Membership Meeting
May/June 1999 - Book Signing
June 19 1999 - Workday: 9am - Noon
July 17 1999 - Membership Meeting
Sept 11-12 1999 - Civil War Living History Weekend
Sept 11th 1999 - (evening) Cigar & Brandy Social
Sept 18th 1999 - Annual Meeting, Elections, and Picnic
Sept 25-26 1999 - Middletown Heritage Days
Oct 2-3 1999 - Brunswick Railroad Days
Oct 31 1999 - Museum closes for season
Nov 20 1999 - Membership Meeting
Dec 4 1999 - Antietam Illumination
Dec 11 1999 - Museums by Candlelight
All Membership Meetings are in Gapland Hall and begin at 10am on the 3rd Saturday of every other month.
"FIGURATIVELY" SPEAKING - Friendly, people-oriented non-profit group ISO friendly, number-oriented person to join us as a treasurer. Looking for someone who likes long walks in the (Gathland State) park, congenial talks about our mutual interests (finances, park activities, funding, grants and more!) and casual dining (i.e. coffee and cookies) in an informal setting (quarterly board meetings). Call Marge Magruder for details!
TAXING MATTERS - The same friendly non-profit group ISO friendly CPA. Looking for someone who enjoys occasional chats about "seasonal" (tax season, that is!) topics and would be willing to offer a little guidance during this very busy time. Call Marge Magruder.
March 27 & April 24 1999 - Work Days
9 am to Noon both days. Come and join in the fun of getting the park and
museum ready for the new year. We will be working on painting the interior
of the Lodge and moving the displays from the Hall to the Lodge. We also
will finish the plantings for the beds we started last year. Anyone who
has any perennial plants (ie. lily of the valley, hydrangea, foxglove,
toad lily, astilbe, ferns, fall pansy, etc.) they want to donate please
contact Sharon Schroebel at (301) 416-2865. Students from Mount St. Marys
and Eagle Troup #20 will be volunteering and earning hours for community
service.
Home Back Top
March 20 1999 FOG Membership Meeting 10 am
@ the Hall Items to be discussed will include upcoming work days activities
and upcoming events.
Lisa Byrd, Editor
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.