Hannah Jacob Weisiger Letter - 09/01/05
Recently, the Society received a letter from Shelley R. Cardiel from Kirkland, WA whose interesting hobby is to recover items and return them to the individual's family. Ms. Cardiel enclosed a letter written by Hannah Jacob Weisiger (Mrs. W. H. Weisiger) of 1007 W. Main St., Richmond, VA. The letter, dated 1887, was addressed to Miss M.A. Smith of Winchester, IN. In addition to sharing it with our community, Ms. Cardiel hoped that we could locate someone from the Weisiger family.
The letter contained information about how Hannah nursed her sick mother and contained references to other family members. The envelope also included memorial clippings from newspapers of the time.
Coincidentally, Society member, Frankie Liles, recognized the name, made inquiries of Minor Weisiger with the Library of Virginia Foundation and confirmed the family connection. The familiy expressed wishes that the letter remain on file at the Library of Virginia for future genealogical research. The Henrico County Historical Society donated the letter to the Library of Virginia. Our appreciation goes out to Shelly Cardiel.
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APHA Updates On Osborne SchoolHouse, Call for County Review, and Randolph Cemetery - 09/01/05
In a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article, Dr. Henry Nelson, President of the Association for the Preservation of Henrico Antiquities and Vee Davis, Chairman of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and former President of the Henrico County Historical Society, concerned over the loss of the Redwood-Reed House, called for a review of the demolition process to ensure that important Henrico landmarks are not lost in the future. Dr. Nelson would like to see the county adopt a historic preservation ordinance that would provide a determined amount of time before a historic property could be demolished. According to state guidelines, the recommended time is decided according to the value of the property, since it would take longer to arrange a solution and the logistics involved in a case of having to move the structure. Dr. Nelson states that preservation requires the good will of everyone involved. Perhaps if such an ordinance is passed by the government of the County of Henrico, this will prevent further sites from eventually becoming lost architecture.
At the June APHA meeting, Dr. Nelson reported that the Osborne Schoolhouse has been resold as a residence and will remain at its present location. This is a partial victory in that the historic building is preserved for the present. 11/17/2007 Update: for further information, see Osborne School House in Varina District.
The Randolph Cemetery project is reported to be making progress. APHA provided a grant to erect access gates to the cemetery and have been notified that Mr. George Little and Greendale Railing Company are working together on the project.
The next meeting of APHA will be held September 15, 2005 at the Henrico County Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, 7 p.m. Visitors welcome. For information, contact:
Dr. Henry Nelson at (804) 795-1673 or manels9@verizon.net.
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Richmond is One of The Most Historic Places in America, But Tourism Is Woefully Inadequate - 09/01/05
Information from Richmond Times-Dispatch
In a Richmond Times-Dispatch article, dated July 17, 2005, Bill Axselle, Chairman of Richmond Region 2007, wrote that our region is one of "The most historic places in America" if not the most historic. Yet for decades the Richmond region has not taken full advantage of this revenue gold mine. Richmond Region 2007 was established by local governments and businesses to coordinate activities for the region's 400th anniversary in 2007. Mr. Axselle says our funding of tourism is woefully inadequate. According to the Tourism Industry Association and Smithsonian Magazine 2003 joint study, 81 percent of U.S. adults who traveled in the past year are considered historic/cultural travelers. In Virginia, 11 percent of all tourists chose Civil War sites. Our region is rich in American Revolution history where the famed speech was given by Patrick Henry, and especially in black history where the only African American to be elected governor resided. The Richmond region needs to begin collectively and collaboratively celebrating our heritage, Mr. Axcelle writes. He suggests that the Richmond region connect new links along with old attractions supported by a concerted marketing effort to reap the rewards well beyond the county's 400th anniversary in 2007.
Another Richmond Times-Dispatch article dated July 31, 2005 listed the top American vacation destinations. Historic Sites with 41% was number 4 on the list. National and State Parks with 47% was number 3 (which could have included historical state parks) and Museums at 33% was number 8 on the list. All of these were ahead of Theme Parks and Gambling Casinos. Of course, number one on the list was Beach and Lake vacations at 70%.
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News 2005: Third Quarter
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