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Research Report “Nobly Has That Little Band Worked”: The Mary Washington House (1890-2014) Exhibition planned by the students enrolled in the Museum Design and Interpretation Laboratory at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia Students: Timothy Barr, Kaleigh Beverly, Kelsey Carter, Samuel Crystal, Ryan Donaldson, Anna Grotophorst, Caitlin McCafferty, Devin Netter, Jenniffer Powers, Candice Roland, Brian Sagedy, Megan Schloemer, Kelli Weir, Molly Woods Instructor: Prof. Cristina Turdean Spring 2014 Table of Contents Ball Correspondence 1 Meeting Minutes 2 Published Sources 3 Miscellaneous Records 4 Ball Correspondence Source: Letters from Philip Stern to George Ball Date: June 17, 1927 - November 17, 1928 Summary: This series of letters from Philip N. Stern to George A. Ball are in regards to Ball’s donations to the foundation of the new Mary Washington Hospital. It is outlined that if Ball adds another $750 to his previous $250 donation then he would have one of eleven “family tablets” inscribed and mounted within the hospital. Included in the letters is a sample of the family memorial tablets along with their approximate dimensions. Over the course of a few months, Stern repeatedly sends Ball letters as it seems that Ball never responded to the original letter. The last letter, dated November 7, 1928, is damaged and much is indecipherable. From what is decipherable, it seems as though Ball made another donation to and received a family tablet in the new Mary Washington Hospital building. Source: Letter Date: April 28, 1928 Summary: A letter thanking Mr. Ball for his “generous check” for the Mary Washington House. The letter also invites him to visit Fredericksburg. Source: Letter from Mrs. Braxton to George Ball Date: May 14, 1928 Summary: Mrs. Braxton thanks Mr. Ball first his gift, and informs him about the APVA’s efforts at the Mary Washington House. She also describes the restoration of the house, characterizing the process as a “room by room” restoration to its appearance in 1789. She again invites Mr. Ball to visit Fredericksburg, saying, “I hope you will come here and after seeing our work you will approve and be glad you have given. I believe you will.” Source: Letter, annual meeting minutes of the Kenmore Association Date: May 8, 1928 Summary: This document gave a detailed account of the meeting held by the Kenmore Association on May 8, 1928. It discussed the preservation of Kenmore and how the replica of the old office was complete. It also stated that the number of sponsors for the association had increased, and they were virtually out of debt because all of their projects had been paid for. There were many gifts listed that members of the association had donated to the association. It discussed the money they were making off of visitors and the restoration of the grounds that was planned to occur at Kenmore. They also briefly discussed a tea that was to occur at the Mary Washington house on May 9th. 1 Source: Receipt Date: May 17, 1928 Summary: This is a receipt for a donation to the Mary Washington House. “The Fredericksburg Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities express their sincere appreciation of your interest and your generous contribution of $5,000 to the fund for the restoration of the home of Mary, the Mother of Washington.” It is dated May 17, 1928, and signed by Mary Byrd Scott Russell, Directress Fredericksburg Branch. Source: Letter from Governor’s office, Mr. Cammerer to Mr. Ball Date: September 18, 1928 Summary: The letter proposed a new national park in Virginia. The national park would be Blue Ridge only 90 miles from the capitol. He goes over the history and statistics of national parks and why they are needed. He is asking for Mr. Ball to make a donation to help secure this site. Source: Letter from Mr. Ball to Mr. Arno Cammerer Date: October 3, 1928 Summary: Mr. Ball approves of the plan to create the Shenandoah Park and plans to donate $5,000 to carry it out. Ball explains that he is a believer in giving citizens areas to enjoy the environment. Source: Letter from unnamed to George Ball Date: November 10, 1928 Summary: This letter sent to Mr. Ball states that the Citizens Guild of George Washington’s Boyhood Home is claiming to have given the money for the restoration of the Mary Washington House. However, Mr. Ball is the one who donated the money for the restoration of the house. The woman who wrote the letter feels the Guild is taking advantage of the Fredericksburg Branch because they are women. Source: Letter from Annie Fleming Smith to George Ball Date: December 1, 1928 Summary: This letter explains how Mary Washington House is under care of APVA (was purchased for prevention from Chicago’s World Fair). Annie F. Smith writes to Mr. Ball telling about fund raising and efforts put into Kenmore Association. It ends with telling him that she will attend Mrs. Ball’s dinner to discuss with him “suitable recognition” of his gift to the Mary Washington House for when it will be restored. 2 Source: Letter from Annie Fleming Smith to George Ball Date: December 5, 1928 Summary: Mr. Ball donated $5,000 for restorations and furnishings. Mr. Ball was unable to be at Mrs. Ball’s dinner to discuss recognition and Smith asked Ball to come to Fredericksburg for a visit. Source: Letter Date: December 19, 1928 Summary: This personal letter to Mr. George Ball is in response to a visit she had recently made to see him. She mentions her desire to show Fredericksburg and “our Historic Places” to him and his family. Source: Letter from Mary Byrd Russell of the Fredericksburg Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to Mrs. and Mr. George Ball Date: April 15, 1929 Summary: In the letter, Mary Byrd Russell from the APVA is discussing the renovation of the Mary Washington House and the purchase of the Goodwin House. She offers to help with an event during Garden Week by offering the use of either the Mary Washington House or the Rising Sun Tavern. Source: Letter from Mary Byrd Russell of the Fredericksburg Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to Mrs. and Mr. George Ball Date: Monday, April 22, 1929 Summary: In the letter from Mary Byrd Russell of the APVA, she thanks Mrs. Ball for the purchase of the Goodwin House and tells her that the architects having been working on renovation plans for the Mary Washington House. Source: Letter from Mary Byrd Russell of the Fredericksburg Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to George Ball Date: May 5, 1929 Summary: The letter to Mr. Ball mentions taxes on properties in Virginia, and the APVA is exempt from property taxes. It also mentions Garden Week and some of the visitors who have visited recently, such as Franklin Roosevelt. 3 Source: Letter from Mary Byrd Russell of the Fredericksburg Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to George Ball Date: May 22, 1929 Summary: Mrs. Russell is concerned about tax exemption for the Goodwin House, and spoke to Mrs. J. Taylor Ellyson, about the exemption. Mrs. Russell told Mr. Ball that she received his $5,000 check for the renovation and called him a fairy godmother. Philip Stern, the architect went to New York and spoke to a Mr. Cornelius about the house. Mr. Stern found that the two-story part of the house and the back of the house were not original. The APVA is proud to be conserving, not destroying the house. Source: Letter to George Ball Date: June 24, 1929 Summary: This letter thanks Mr. Ball for his letter and updates him on how the renovations are proceeding primarily that the back porch has been reopened. The letter once again invites him to come visit. Source: Letter from Mary Byrd Russell of the Fredericksburg Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to George Ball Date: July 9, 1929 Summary: Mrs. Russell tells Mr. Ball that she received a check from someone for $37.50 and that the Goodwin House was rented. The Restoration Committee met recently and were pleased with the work that had been completed, and they were going to be able to afford asbestos shingles for the roof, which is confidential information. Source: Letter from Mary Byrd Russell of the Fredericksburg Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to George Ball Date: July 30, 1929 Summary: This is an update on the restoration for Mr. Ball. The house will have to close soon to visitors to work on the roof and some of the rooms inside. The house will be closed during the summer, which is the most profitable time for the museum. 4 Source: Letter from Mary Byrd Russell to George Ball Date: August 28, 1929. Summary: The writer hopes to get the Garvan furniture in the Mary Washington House by next month. The writer also mentions that the APVA in Richmond must date all of the furniture before it is taken into the house. Source: Letter from Mary Byrd Russell to George Ball Date: October 11, 1929. Summary: Mrs. Russell tells Mr. Ball how much the entire branch of the APVA appreciates his donation to the Mary Washington House. Source: Letter to George Ball Date: October 11, 1929. Summary: This letter thanks Mr. Ball for his donation, which will help with the house’s restoration and with the custodian’s quarters. Source: Letter to George Ball Date: October 12, 1929 Summary: This letter informs Mr.