Published for the Members and Friends IN THIS ISSUE: of the Harpers Ferry U.S Mint to Historical Association Release Harpers Spring 2016 Ferry Coin Fifteenth Annual Don Redman Heritage Awards 1916-2016 National Park and Concert Service Centennial Authors & Artists: A Centennial “...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural Celebration and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide Association’s for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such Executive Director means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of is Retiring future generations.” —National Park Service Organic Act

ollowing vigorous lobbying by indus- Above left: First NPS Director Stephen T. trialist and conservationist Stephen Mather inspects a trail in Glacier National Park, F T. Mather (1867-1930), President ca. 1920s. (National Park Service Historic Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Na- Photo Collection). Above right: NPS Director tional Park Service Organic Act on August George B. Hartzog and former Director Horace The picture which appears M. Albright attend a dinner at Hilltop House, on our newsletter’s nameplate, 25, 1916. Congress charged the new agency dating from 1803, is one of the with preserving and managing the great Harpers Ferry, WV, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the NPS, August 29, 1966. oldest prints of Harpers Ferry. natural resources of America and assigned Twenty years earlier, in 1783, (National Park Service Historic Photo Collection) Mather as its first director in 1917. Thomas Jefferson had declared For a century, the NPS has been the that this view was “worth a steward of this country’s “crown jewels,” lished Harpers Ferry as a National Monu- voyage across the Atlantic.” over 400 cultural sites including monu- ment in 1944, and then as Harpers Ferry ments, parkways, battlefields, cemeteries, National Historical Park on May 29, 1963. 1 and recreation areas. Congress first estab- continued on Page 6  Recent Donations American Public Univer- sity System Chicago Civil War Round Table Paula Degen Mark Elrod John Frye Gettysburg Civil War Round Table Diane & John Lofquist Joseph Onofrey Preservation Maryland

Armory Superintendent Members Dr. Robert Johnson Above: Park and HFHA staff pose with Elleanor Harpers Ferry, WV National Park Week Bison during 2015’s successful A Day in the Park Mike Hegarty, Our Lady of event. Below: Harpers Ferry Quarter National Park Week, April 16 to 24, 2016, Sorrows School is a nationwide celebration of our national Farmington, MI heritage, with events and activities com- Nancy Myers, in Honor of memorating the Centennial of the National Mint for a coin fo- Don Campbell Park Service. rum, which will Harpers Ferry, WV At Harpers Ferry National Historical offer the public Jim & Suzanne Silvia Park the week kicks off with A Day in the an opportunity Taunton, MA & Harpers Park, an event that brings out staff from to learn and ask Ferry, WV all park departments— questions about Ed Wheeless & Chris Craig from interpretation to the Mint and Harpers Ferry, WV cultural resources to law its programs. At Paymaster Members enforcement—to engage 10 a.m. the next Jo (Kuhn) Curtis in with the public in fun morning, June 8, the official launch features memory of Jim Kuhn activities that teach speakers and the unveiling of the new Harp- and Alexander & Mary how the NPS operates. ers Ferry NHP quarter. Murphy All national park en- The forum takes place in the Gather- Brandywine, MD try fees are waived for these ing Tent in Lower Town; the launch will be Cynthia Mason dates. Activities in Harpers Ferry will run held on Hamilton St., Lower Town. Visitors Baltimore, MD from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day in Lower may purchase up to $100 worth of Harpers Town. Ferry Quarters in $10 rolls. Master Armorer Members Allison Alsdorf U.S. Mint to Release Association’s Executive Harpers Ferry, WV Harpers Ferry Coin Director to Retire Carolyn Blocker Crofton, MD In 2010, the United States Mint launched Harpers Ferry Historical Association Execu- Kirk Bradley the America the Beautiful Quarters® Pro- tive Director, Deborah Piscitelli, is retiring Sanford, NC gram, releasing five coins each year depict- in Fall 2016 following 36 years with the as- Karl Buchspics ing one national park from each of the 50 sociation. Applications are currently being Willow Grove, PA states, the District of Columbia, and the accepted for our next Executive Director. continued on page 3 U.S. Territories. This June, the Mint will Visit www.harpersferryhistory.org to retreive release a coin honoring Harpers Ferry Na- a Position Announcement and Position De- tional Historical Park. scription. Applications are being accepted The park will host two special events through June 1, 2016 or until the position to mark the release. On June 7, 2016, at is filled. 2  6:30 p.m. join representatives from the U.S. Master Armorer Members NPS Announces Garnet Jex Exhibit continued from Page 2 Donald & Patricia Burgess In 1960 Washington, D.C. artist Garnet W. stown, MD, the Cliffside Inn in Harpers Harpers Ferry, WV Jex (1895-1979) donated a collection of oil Ferry, and the Museum of the Shenandoah Carole Powell Carter paintings depicting Harpers Ferry between Valley in Winchester, VA, following the Harpers Ferry, WV 1925 and 1960 to the community. The museum’s restoration of the paintings. Hon. & Mrs. Thomas Cur- paintings will be exhibited on the second The exhibit opens May 7, 2016, with a tis and Family floor of the John Brown Museum in Lower 10 a.m. ribbon cutting and reception with Baltimore, MD Town throughout the Centennial year. words from Park Superintendent Rebecca Kim & Frank Edwards Jex visited the town frequently to paint Harriett and a talk on Jex by HFHA Execu- Edgewood, MD the changing landscape of Harpers Ferry. tive Director Debbie Piscitelli. Scot Faulkner An inscription with the collection reads in In addition to 18 postcards of the paint- Harpers Ferry, WV part: “Presented to the community by the ings (sold individually or as a set), the Park Patrice Flynn artist in recollection of many pleasant days Bookshop carries The Upper Potomac in the Harpers Ferry, WV among charming streets and buildings, be- Civil War (HFHA, 2012), a collection of 51 Deborah Hale sides rivers and upon the hills; in apprecia- watercolors Jex produced in the 1960s for Harpers Ferry, WV tion also of the hospitality of townspeople.” the commemoration of the Civil War Cen- Rebecca Harriett From 1960 to 2007 the paintings hung tennial. Berryville, VA in the meeting room of the Camp Hill- Natalie Nichols Hill Wesley United Methodist Church. They’ve Argyle, TX recently been exhibited at the Washington Below: One of the Last Steam Locomotives, John Hough County Museum of Fine Arts in Hager- 1951, by Garnet W. Jex. Leesburg, VA Bruce Kramer Baltimore, MD Anne A. Long Myersville, MD Susan Pannell Harpers Ferry, WV Linda Parks Washington, DC George Rutherford Ranson, WV Mike Stoneberger Charles Town, WV Parnetta Sutton Chicago, IL Samuel & Grace Tucker Adamstown, MD Clarke Wilhelm Granville, OH

We Are Cooking! The HFHA Cookbook project started last luck this September. The event will include year was put on a minor hiatus to accom- a special presentation with 19th century modate production of the park’s Centennial foodways expert Carol Anderson and Living Programs and Events booklet. We are happy History Ranger Melinda Day. We encourage to have the cookbook project back in prog- members to bring along a dish from a recipe ress. Thank you to everyone who contrib- they submitted. Save the September 11 date uted recipes! and look for details in our next newsletter. Our goal is to officially launch the book at our annual membership meeting and pot-  3 2016 Don Redman Jazz Heritage Awards and Concert

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will nist Barry Harris. His professional jazz career host the 15th Annual Don Redman Jazz began at age 19. He performed in New York Heritage Awards & Concert June 25, 2016, with Charles Mingus from 1960 to 1972, on the lawn of the Mather Training Cen- collaborating often with Harris, Lonnie ter in Harpers Ferry. The evening includes Hillyer, and George Coleman. the awards ceremony and performances by McPherson has toured the U.S., Eu- the Don Redman Next Generation Camp rope, Japan, Africa, and South America Scholars, and the Howard Burns Quartet with jazz greats Barry Harris, Billy Eckstine, with special guests. The award is presented Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderly, Jay Mc- annually to legends of jazz whose musician- Shann, Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, Tom ship, humanity, and dignity serve as an asset Harrell, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Dizzy to jazz in the tradition of Don Redman, Gillespie, and others. and whose work in music and education He recently showcased his original illuminate his spirit. This year’s honorees compositions and arrangements with a are Albert “Tootie” Heath and Charles seven-piece ensemble at Lincoln Center. McPherson. McPherson was also the featured alto saxo- A Philadelphia native and younger phonist in the Clint Eastwood film “Bird,” a brother of saxophonist Jimmy Heath and biography about Charlie Parker. bassist Percy Heath, drummer Albert The free awards ceremony and concert “Tootie” Heath first recorded in 1957 with will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Stephen T. John Coltrane. In his long career, Heath Mather Training Center, 51 Mather Place, Albert “Tootie” Heath (top) has worked with artists J.J. Johnson, Wes Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. For additional and Charles McPherson. Montgomery, Benny Golson’s Jazztet, Ce- information contact the park’s Information dar Walton, Kenny Drew, Sonny Rollins, Center at 304-535-6029. Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, and Nina Simone. This event is sponsored by the Harpers Today the 80-year-old Heath is a regular Ferry Historical Association, Harpers Ferry instructor at the Stanford Jazz Workshop National Historical Park, the Jefferson County and producer and leader of The Whole NAACP in cooperation with the Don Redman Drum Truth, a jazz drum ensemble. Heritage Society of Piedmont, WV, and the Saxophonist Charles McPherson grew West Virginia Division of Culture and History. up in Detroit, studying with renowned pia-

HFHA Milestone Event Authors and Artists: A Centennial Celebration HFHA celebrates 100 years of our national The day also features a silent auction parks and 45 years of our association with listing work by various artists including for- the event Authors and Artists: A Centennial mer artists-in-residence Louise Minks and Celebration. The event will take place in the Kris Parins, and photographer Tony Sweet. Tent on the Green, June 11, 2016, from Additional items include Charley Harper 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. posters and limited edition prints by John The event welcomes back authors and Paul Strain and Mort Künstler. artists whose creations have graced our shop Confirmed artists and authors: walls and shelves throughout the years. Authors will appear throughout the day to • Andrei Kushnir, en plein air artist with read from their current work and sign books. a new publication, Oh, Shenandoah: 4 Visiting artists will be on hand to represent Paintings of the Historic River and Valley,  their work. which contains over 263 of his paint- Mills, Factories, Machines and Floods at ings Harpers Ferry, 1762-1991 • Dennis Frye, author, speaker, and Chief • Timothy Snyder, author of Trembling in Historian, Harpers Ferry National His- the Balance: The Chesapeake and Ohio torical Park Canal During the Civil War The Harpers Ferry His- • Lawrence Freiheit, author of Boots and • Bob Cohen, author of Trip by Rail: In the torical Association is on Saddles: Cavalry During the Maryland Shenandoah Valley on the B&O Railroad Facebook! Search Face- Campaign of September 1862 book for “Harpers Ferry • Robert O’Connor, author of The Perfect Additional artists and authors will be Historical Association”. Steel Trap: Harpers Ferry 1859 and many announced as they are confirmed. Check “Like” our page to receive other titles, including a new release our website and Facebook page for updates. notifications of upcoming about the Murphy Farm Following the event, a private reception park special events, book- shop news, and related • Earl Mills, photographic artist will be held in the River Tent for all HFHA park information. • Daniel Toomey, author of The War members and these authors and artists to Came by Train and The Civil War in celebrate the 45th anniversary of the as- Maryland sociation. Look for formal invitations to the • Dave Gilbert, author of A Walkers reception in May. Guide to Harpers Ferry and Waterpower:

Harpers Ferry Historical Association Membership Application

❏ I wish to join the Harpers Ferry Historical Association (new member) ❏ I am not interested in receiving member ben- ❏ I wish to renew my membership (renewal) efits, but I would like to make a contribution in the amount of ______to aid the mission Please enroll me in the following member category (check one): of the Harpers Ferry Historical Association. ❏ $25 Armory Worker – Basic membership for a family household. Benefits include a newsletter subscription, a 15% discount on all ❏ I am a Charter Member and would like to bookshop purchases, a vinyl decal, and invitations to annual meeting make a donation of ______. and events. ❏ Check if this is a new address for you ❏ $25 Sarah Jane Foster – An alternative basic membership for edu- cators. Benefits include the above plus open house for teachers and discounts on programs for teachers. ______❏ $50 Millwright – For those members who are frequent visitors to Name the park. Benefits are the same as Armory Worker category plus a 12-month Harpers Ferry Park entrance pass. ______Address ❏ $100 Master Armorer – A supporting membership category. Includes all benefits of the Millwright category plus U.S. Mint America the ______Beautiful Quarters® featuring Harpers Ferry, member recognition in City State Zip our newsletter and at our annual meeting, and a special tour. ______❏ $250 Paymaster – For businesses, vendors or family donors who wish Telephone to contribute to the Association’s mission. Benefits include 15% dis- count on all bookshop purchases; a newsletter subscription; vinyl de- ______cal; invitations to annual meetings, events, and association-sponsored E-mail education programs; a 12-month park pass; U.S. Mint America the Please clip and mail to: Beautiful Quarters® featuring Harpers Ferry; recognition in newslet- ter and at annual meeting; special tour; and additional membership Harpers Ferry Historical Association card. P.O. Box 197 Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 ❏ $500 Armory Superintendent – For supporters (individual and corporate) who wish to perpetuate Association and Park education Phone: (304) 535-6881 programs. Benefits include 15% discount on all bookshop purchases; Fax: (304) 535-6749 a newsletter subscription; vinyl decals; invitations to annual meeting, Email: [email protected] events, and education programs; U.S. Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® featuring Harpers Ferry; recognition in the newsletter and at annual meeting; special tour; an Amercia the Beautiful pass (for use in all parks) for individuals; and a display plaque for businesses.

 5 The Harpers Ferry Historical Harpers Ferry Historical Association Non-Profit Organization Association operates the Na- Post Office Box 197 U.S. Postage tional Park Bookshop in Lower Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 PAID Town Harpers Ferry. Profits Harpers Ferry, WV from sales are returned to the 25425 park to support interpretive­ and Permit No. 12 educational programs to enhance your visit. You are invited to join this unique organization and be a part of Harpers Ferry’s special family. For more information call (304) 535-6881, send e-mail to [email protected], or visit our website at www. harpersferryhistory.org

ARPERS FERRY istorical Association

Executive Director Deborah K. Piscitelli 100 Years - 100 Members We’re a third of the way to reaching our support your national park. Editor Cathy Baldau centennial goal of 100 years - 100 members. Please consider a $100 Master Armorer Help us now by becoming a member, giving membership this year to show your appre- Graphic Designer a membership gift to family or friends, or ciation for 100 years of the beautiful and Dave Gilbert spreading the word about the many ways we uniquely American national park system. Board of Directors David Gilbert, President Help us in our efforts to be “green” by renewing your James Silvia, Vice President membership online! www.harpersferryhistory.org Suzanne Silvia, Secretary Wayne Welty, Treasurer Patrice Flynn National Park Service Centennial, continued from Page 1 Carol Gallant Jim Jenkins This year Harpers Ferry NHP will mark If you have not received this booklet, Bob Johnson the Centennial with a variety of events and please be sure to pick up a copy during your Doug Perks programs following the NPS directive to next visit to the park, or view it online at Wayne Welty “CONNECT with and CREATE the NEXT www.harpersferryhistory.org. Ed Wheeless GENERATION of park visitors, supporters, and advocates.” All of these events can be found in the park’s 2016 Programs and Events booklet, which also includes the Summer Tour Pro- gram, youth activities, Living History events and workshops, nature tours, and Cultural and Natural Resources programs.

Historian Frederick Tilberg leads a tour along Shenandoah St. in 1955, prior to NPS restoration. The large 6 building on the right, once Kaplon’s  Department Store, no longer stands. (Historic Photo Collection, Harpers Ferry NHP)