A Message from the Executive Director |
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Greetings from Waterford! With as challenging a year as 2020 has been, it is hard to believe that it is nearly over. We were so happy to see many of you participate in our first ever Virtual Waterford Fair last month. Thank you to all of you who watched and shared our video content, shopped the virtual Mill sale, participated in virtual Waterford Craft School workshops, or purchased a Taste of the Fair package. We enjoyed the Mill sale so much that we’ve planned another sale for later this month, just in time for all your holiday shopping needs! Find a full recap of the Virtual Fair below along with details on our upcoming holiday sale.
Also in this newsletter you’ll find an article on preservation and conservation easements and how they help to preserve the Landmark. Read about the latest book by local historian Bronwen Souders, a work of historical fiction based on stories from Waterford’s African American community. Don’t miss your chance to order a copy in time for the holidays! And, as always, be sure to read to the end to find a story from Waterford’s past. This month we are exploring the aftermath of contentious elections throughout Waterford’s history.
We are grateful to have a large community of supporters who have helped the Waterford Foundation and the Landmark weather all types of storms, past and present. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us in many ways. Besides cancelling the in-person Waterford Fair in favor of a virtual event, we have also cancelled many Waterford Craft School classes, temporarily closed the Second Street School Living History Program, lost rental income from events at the Old School, and converted our annual Historic Waterford Trail Run to a virtual race. Despite these challenges and loss of income, we have adapted by delivering Second Street School and other education programming via video, creating video homes tours and artists demonstrations, and adapting Waterford Craft School classes for socially distant or virtual delivery. We have worked hard to advance our preservation and education mission in the face of these challenges. If you are in a position to give this year, please consider a gift in support of our work. Help us keep Waterford’s history alive for future generations.
Thanks, and enjoy!
Stephanie C. Thompson
Executive Director
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Tools for Preservation: Easements 101 |
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Looking northwest at sunrise across the Water Street Meadow. This property was placed under easement with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 1972. |
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If you are new to the Waterford Foundation community, you may not know much about one of our best tools for preserving the integrity of the Waterford National Historic Landmark: historic preservation and conservation easements. An easement is a voluntary granting of property rights from the property owner to a third party. Easements are recorded in the county land records, and their protections remain with the land in perpetuity. Historic preservation easements aim to preserve the historic character of a property, while conservation easements are intended to protect conservation values of a property such as natural resources, wildlife habitat, or open spaces. Waterford is recognized as a National Historic Landmark because of the combination of the intact historic 18th/19th century village and its surrounding farmland. For this reason, both historic preservation and conservation easements are critical for the preservation of the Landmark.
The Waterford Foundation began an easement program in the early 1970s, both by granting easements on Foundation-owned property and by encouraging other Waterford property owners to place their properties under easement. Today, Waterford has one of the largest percentages of land under easement in all of Virginia. Easements in and around Waterford have been granted to several easement holders, including: The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Loudoun County, Virginia Outdoors Foundation, and the Land Trust of Virginia. These easement holders conduct periodic monitoring inspections of the properties and work with current property owners to ensure that the properties are maintained in accordance with the terms of the easement.
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Some Waterford easements dating back to the early 1970s were among the first such easements recorded and include outdated or nonstandard language. Because of this, the Foundation’s Land Use Committee has been working with our easement holders for several years to review and amend our easements to bring them up to modern standards. During the course of their review, Land Use discovered that the original 1975 easement on the Schooley Mill Barn property granted to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) protected the open spaces of the property but did not include protections for the historic barn structure. Working with VOF and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR), the Foundation had the VOF easement assigned to VDHR in 2013 so that the easement could be amended to include protection of the barn. This amendment is now underway with VDHR and is expected to conclude by the end of this year.
An amendment is also underway with VDHR on the Water Street Meadow, and the Chair Factory easement with VDHR was amended in 2010. After these amendments are complete, the Foundation plans to place the Bond Street Barn and Tanyard under easement, the only remaining Foundation property not currently under easement. To learn more about conservation and preservation easements and possible benefits to property owners who place property under easement, check out these online resources:
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The Foundation Partners with Local Supporters to Protect Schooley Mill Barn and Retire Debt. |
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The Waterford Foundation and a group of supporters known as The Schooley Mill Barn Property Debt Relief Group have come together to advance the interests of preservation and education in the National Historic Landmark Village of Waterford, Va.
The Foundation has faced its share of challenges in recent years, including the fire which destroyed The Old School Auditorium in 2007, necessitating its rebuilding, the hurricane of 2015 leading to the cancellation of the iconic Waterford Fair, and this year's coronavirus pandemic, which led to an adaptive and creative "virtual Waterford Fair". In January of 2020, the WFI called a special meeting to share its financial situation with members and supporters, citing the commitment of its Board and staff to retiring outstanding debt in order to strengthen the Foundation's finances. One option the Board considered to retire the debt was the sale of Foundation property, in particular the Schooley Mill Barn.
The Schooley Mill Barn Property Debt Relief Group began its work in the spring drawing in long-time donors and interested parties to help alleviate the WFI debt. Working together to assure that the Schooley Mill Barn property is protected from inappropriate uses which might threaten the status of the Landmark and retained as a Waterford Foundation-owned property, both parties are pleased to have reached consensus. These efforts continue a long tradition of villagers working to support the mission of the Waterford Foundation.
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76th Waterford Fair Recap |
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This year like with so many other events, the 76th Waterford Fair was converted in to a virtual event. We are thankful for the artisans, entertainers, Craft School instructors and living historians, who jumped on board to make the event possible!
We hope you got a chance to view the 45+ videos that were included in the virtual Fair, shop the Old Mill online sale, enjoyed one (or more) of the “Taste of the Fair” packages, delve back in to Waterford's commercial past through the interactive map and video series, or took an online craft class.
If you did not get a chance to watch the videos, visit our YouTube channel and view them at your convenience. Subscribe and you will be notified when new videos are released for viewing.
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Thank you so much to all our Fair advertisers, sponsors, donors, package partners and volunteers for pitching in to create an amazing virtual event. We hope to see you all, in person, at the 77th Annual Waterford Fair October 1-3, 2021! |
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What a long, crazy year it has been!
Join the Waterford Citizens Association (WCA) and the Waterford Foundation for a bit of fun to spread some holiday cheer.
Show us your door decor... traditional, farmhouse country, glam, rustic, modern, or your unique spin!
Winners will be selected, and prizes awarded December 5, 6 PM.
Judges from the WCA and the Waterford Foundation will select two winners and the third will be a "people's choice" award via a social media vote.
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Please share "A Landmark Holiday in Waterford"...
this is a great opportunity for out-of-town friends and family to enjoy the magic of Waterford over the holidays while supporting our local artisans, residents and the Foundation!
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Volunteer of the Month:
Too Many to Choose Just One
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It has been a busy month...with the virtual Fair and the prep work to get the Old Mill ready for renovations, a number of folks jumped in and helped. We have the best volunteers!
The Virtual Fair -- thank you to everyone who pitched in and created content for videos, packaged "Taste of the Fair" bags, organizing purchases at the Mill during the online sale, and staffed the pick up area at the Old School. We also really appreciate the Wine and Beer volunteers for hosting a tasting when purchasers came to pick up their packages. We heard many comments that it was greatly enjoyed.
The Old Mill -- thank you to all of the volunteers who showed up over four consecutive Saturdays in September to help clean and move items out of the Old Mill to get the building ready for renovation work and for the moving crew to come in and get the roller mill equipment that is going to Wade's Mill in Raphine, Virginia. A special thank you to Ann Goode bringing her horse trailer and truck. It took a village and having the trailer certainly made moving items much easier!
A special note -- traditionally we hold our volunteer appreciation party in November. As much as we love to honor our wonderful volunteers in person, we will not be hosting a live event. Watch your inbox in December for our volunteer awards announcement!
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The Thinkin' Rug
Young Adult Novel Set in the Black Community of
Waterford’s Post-Civil War Past
By Bronwen Curtis Souders
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It’s 1880 and young Leven Thomson discovers startling facts about his close-knit family and community. Why did his mother value a dirty old braided rug so much? What had happened to her brother? Who was the mysterious Dr. Haskins and did he really have supernatural powers? Who was the furtive man in the woods? What did Emancipation Day really stand for?In a year full of transformative events—from house fires, death and childbirth, illness, a hostile farm foreman, old and new friendships, learning in the one-room segregated schoolhouse, and celebrating freedom–Leven learns the truth about life before the Civil War and experiences the strength of his African-American community.
featuring author Bronwen Souders!
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“… through a young person’s eyes …we discover how family choices, made out of fear and from a place of love, during the enslavement period, affected the generations that followed. …a wonderful story of individual, family and community perseverance.”
— Donna Bohanon, Chair, Black History Committee Friends of Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, Virginia
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Click here to order you limited edition signed copy for only $20!
Pre-sale ends November 15th, 2020.
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Meet Our Board:
James Forest Hayes
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James Forest Hayes serves as Senior Housing Executive in Washington D.C., responsible for the realignment and redevelopment of all forms of publicly funded affordable and workforce housing. Most recently, he was appointed to the Virginia Housing Commission by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. In addition, he is the current Vice Chairman and the At Large appointee to the Loudoun County Planning Commission.
Mr. Hayes has worked in every aspect of real estate development, including site assemblage, design, project financing, and project management. As a public official, he has successfully worked on complex development issues involving entitlements, historic preservation, Low- Income Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits (public subsidies), Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and mixed-use development. He excels at navigating and solving municipal and political issues that impact development projects. He has built a career on his ability to create and implement public/private partnerships for the purpose of financing and completing economic development projects.
Mr. Hayes spent more than 8 years on Capitol Hill, serving in a variety of leadership roles for Members of Congress. As a state and local government official, he served in the administrations of Washington, DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty; Gary, Indiana Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson; and Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. Forest and his wife Nicole have lived in Waterford, Virginia since 2011 with their two children. Forest joined the Board of the Waterford Foundation in April 2020.
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What’s new with the Waterford Craft School |
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We are so grateful for the patience both our students and instructors have shown us, as our regular 2020 Craft School season and a few Virtual Fair workshops were rescheduled into the fall. October Splint Seat Weaving and Stained Glass 101 students awoke to a frost, but temperatures rose by the afternoon, enabling students from both classes to work on aspects of their projects outside, under a beautifully sunny, autumn sky. Everyone left with a completed project, a sense of accomplishment, and a keen interest to continue honing their newly acquired skills. Anticipate two-day Caned Seat Weaving and Stained Glass 201 classes in 2021!
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The year's not over yet, with more opportunities to make by hand. There are still a few days left to register for Introduction to Soapmaking and Working with Natural Dyes with instructor and "preservation handmaiden" Nichole Gerding (REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, November 9th.) Both classes incorporate a one-hour, pre-recorded tutorial and a materials kit, with a fascinating 1/2 hour Zoom Q&A November 21 and 22 respectively. On December 5th, we're offering two masked and physically distanced, in-person workshops during the Foundation's A Landmark Holiday in Waterford. Make your own elegant, 13" natural wreath from scratch in Simplicity: A Natural Wreath Workshop. And, bootmaker and Shoemaker Brett Walker returns to the Old School with a project based on an 18th century leather artifact in Leather Wallet: An 18th Century English Gent's/Ladies' "Purse".
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As always, if you have suggestions for classes, or have created something that was inspired by a Craft School workshop, we'd love to hear from you. Send your comments and images to lkovatch@waterfordfoundation.org. Waterford Craft School gift certificates are available on our website in $25 increments.
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Thank You to Our New & Renewing Members! |
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Memberships provide a vital portion of the Waterford Foundation's funds to pay for the upkeep and repair of thirteen properties protected by the Waterford Foundation, as well as programs like the Second Street School living history program, the Waterford Craft School, the Waterford Fair, and special programs throughout the year. We would like to thank the following new and renewing members who have joined or renewed in September & October 2020!
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New & Renewing Members: September & October 2020 |
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Ms. Jennifer Abbott
Mrs. Wendy & Paul Augustine
Mr. Ronald J. Benschoter and Mr. Glenn J. Jessee, Jr.
Ms. Elaine Braccio
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brenton
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Dunn
Ms Karen Fedak
Mr. and Mrs. Chester Gibson, III
Mr. and Mrs. James R Gosses
Mr. and Mrs. Forest and Nicole Hayes
Ms. Cynthia Hull
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Mr. and Mrs. Paul & Lee Lawrence
Mr. Kevin MacMillan
Ms MaryAnn Naber
Ms. Cristen Piper
Dr. and Mrs. Nicholas Ratcliffe
Mr. Rodney Rathmann
Mr. and Mrs. Ed & Melanie Ricart
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Robertson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rogers, Jr.
Ms Rebecca Salyers
Ms Claudia Young
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Our Sustaining Members are: Mr. and Mrs. Goode (Joe and Annie), Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hale (Bob and Susanne), Ms. Joan Kowalski, Mr. Ed Lehman and Ms. Edith Crockett, Robert and Stephanie Thompson, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sutton, and Mr. & Mrs. Brandon & Clare Synge.
Next month, we will acknowledge our new and renewing November 2020 members!
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Stories from Waterford:
When Waterford’s Politics Got Out of Hand
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As the nation takes stock after a heated campaign season, residents of the old village might take a look back at the excesses of its own past partisan battles.
1844: In the village, blood ran high as men cast public votes in the national contest between Henry Clay, the favorite of Waterford’s majority Whigs, and the Democrats’ James K. Polk. For several years there had been political sniping between young Quaker Eli Albaugh and the sons of tailor John Sappington, fervent Democrats. On election day Albaugh and Oliver Sappington got into a fight and the Quaker was mortally wounded. Sappington was eventually tried for “felonious homicide” but acquitted. By then the nation was already on the path to eventual Civil War. And the animosities and resentments in the wake of that conflict were still boiling up the Waterford in the 1880s and beyond.
1881: The Reverend Henry Branch was relieved of his responsibilities at Catoctin Presbyterian Church after “a remarkable sermon” in September. The popular Branch had attributed the death of President James A. Garfield the previous week to divine retribution for the “base fraud” that had elevated his predecessor, fellow Republican Rutherford B. Hayes, to the presidency. Garfield died of complications from an assassin’s bullet after just six months in office.
1888: After Democrat Grover Cleveland won the popular vote but lost in the electoral college to Benjamin Harrison, Jubilant Republicans in Waterford held a boisterous “jollification” that included cannon fire and guests from as far away as Lovettsville. Most local Democrats simply gritted their teeth—but one man finally snapped.
“As the last of the Lovettsville celebrants were about to leave, Oscar James seized the bridle of a horse and refused to let go, even when the rider brought out his whip. In the melee that followed, James struck the visitor on the head with a club, opening a severe wound; several others were bruised and battered. James’s friends finally got him into an oyster saloon and held him there while he struggled to get out, vowing vengeance on the visitors. Hearing of the fracas, the whole company of Lovettsvillians quickly returned and were about to raid the saloon after James, but better judgment finally prevailed.”
1889: State politics, too, could rouse passions in Waterford. In the run-up to November’s elections, “some of the boys” had a bonfire in front of the Corner Store and burned a straw effigy of maverick Virginia gubernatorial candidate Gen. William “Billy” Mahone. For good measure someone fired a shotgun into the smoking figure.
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Waterford Foundation Staff
COVID-19 Action Plan
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Due to safety precautions for COVID-19, the Waterford Foundation office is closed is closed to the public. The staff are teleworking and we are available via email, phone or on video calls and are happy to help with anything you need!
Our staff has updated all of our policies and procedures to make sure the Old School is clean, sanitized and ready for events and programs. We are pleased to have hosted Craft School Classes, Colonial Camp and The Jupiter Theater Company all while closely and carefully following the CDC's and Health Departments requirements for keeping our guests safe. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns! Check out our newest website page introducing our Waterford Staff.
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