Jennings Randolph and a New Deal for Harpers Ferry
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THE “Junction of the Potomac Spring 2019 and Shenandoah, Virginia,” by William Roberts, dating Page 3 - Learn more about from 1808-1809. This is one our 75th Anniversary Speak- of the oldest known prints er Series of Harpers Ferry. In 1783, Page 5 - See upcoming Thomas Jefferson declared Park events that this view was “worth a Page 6 - Learn about our voyage across the Atlantic.” upcoming Historical Trades (Museum of Early Southern Workshop Decorative Arts, Winston- Page 7 - Become a 75th Salem, North Carolina) Anniversary sponsor Jennings Randolph and a New Deal for Harpers Ferry “Problems are truly wonderful because we have the opportunity to solve them.” —Senator Jennings Randolph, quoted in the Washington Star, November 6, 1978. THE YEAR 2019 DAWNS BITTERSWEET IN Harpers Ferry, the stillness of a pristine view marked by the silence of a gov- ernment shutdown. Pretty Shenandoah Street, with its cheerful, carefully repli- cated facades, is a veritable ghost town. Museum doors are locked tight, while snow drifts unchecked against staircases and porches. Winter’s breeze bites more deeply, gnawing at our own uncertainty. How long will this last? Those of us who call the Ferry home search the stones, the bricks, the creaking signs, the hill- sides looming over our heads for some Senator Jennings Randolph and Superintendent Joseph Prentice talk to reporters in Septem- answer, some sign that all will soon be ber 1965. (Harpers Ferry NHP Modern Photo Collection, HAFE-1359_NHF2811) well. We are not the first to stand in this all of them are sadder, the shuttered Preposterous. place and ask such questions. doors accompanied by gaping windows, But preposterous is the name of the Indeed: If we could thin the precariously balanced ceilings and game: Our companions here are none layers between the years, we might exposed beams, and the rankness of other than Storer College President find ourselves standing beside a pair mould wafting in between. Henry McDonald, and Congressman of gentlemen in this very same spot. With our modern minds we can Jennings Randolph. It is the Great Doubtless their expressions are at least say it looks, as National Geographic will Depression. Disaster follows upon as perplexed as ours, for in their world, say a few years later, “like an Italian hill disaster. Two of the main arteries into it is 1936. The scars of the worst flood in village after the Nazis left.” Harpers Ferry—the Route 340 bridge history are readily evident everywhere “So,” says one of our gentlemen over the Potomac, and the Shenando- around them, festering with decay. Our to the other, “I think this should be a ah toll bridge—have just been severed familiar street has more buildings, but national park.” continued on Page 4 Harpers Ferry Park Association | 1 In Memorium Remembering ‘history beneath the history,’” condolences to Bill’s family, Bill Theriault recalls Dennis Frye, Chief and our gratitude for his years Historian (retired) of Harp- of service. Bill’s legacy is one ers Ferry National Historical that shall surely endure. Park. “Bill didn’t aspire to tell big splashy stories. Instead, his focus always was on the little Remembering village—the local people, their Donna Callar local achievements, and their THE ASSOCIATION WISHES TO The View is published by the individual potions for living. extend its sympathy to the Harpers Ferry Park Asso- Few historians could match family of Donna Callar, 78, ciation (HFPA), an Official Bill’s tenacity for discovery - who passed away December National Park Cooperating the mark of a most unique his- 15, 2018. Donna was a Char- Association that supports the torian. And Bill’s willingness ter Member of the Harpers mission of the National Park to share - his unselfish desire Ferry Park Association. She Service. to offer his research to anyone, volunteered in Harpers Ferry anywhere at anytime—reflect- National Historical Park’s The Association operates the ed his generous soul.” visitor center beginning in the Park Bookshop in Harpers Bill’s unique contribu- 1980s, and for the Park Book- Ferry NHP. Profits from sales Photo courtesy of Herald-Mail tions include the development shop throughout the past four are returned to the park to Media. of the West Virginia Geo- decades. She was a member of support inter pretive and edu- Explorer website, a history the Harpers Ferry Woman’s cational programs to enhance LONGTIME HFPA MEMBER AND resource for students, and a Club and the Camp Hill-Wes- your visit. historian William Theriault long-running column in the ley United Methodist Church passed away on January 12, Spirit of Jeffersoncovering lo- in Harpers Ferry. You are invited to join this 2019. For more than forty cal history and topics. He also Donna served on the unique organization and be a years, Bill had devoted himself authored several publications, Bolivar Town Council from part of Harpers Ferry’s special to the study and sharing of including The History of East- July 2013-June 2017. She was family. For more information Jefferson County history. Bill ern Jefferson County, How and also a member of the Bolivar call (304) 535-6881, e-mail us received several awards for his Where to Look It Up, Volumes 1 Building Commission, which at [email protected], or visit contributions to local histo- through 3; The Jefferson County was instrumental in develop- our website at www.harpers- ry including the Certificate History Calendar; A History ing the Bolivar Children’s Park ferryhistory.org. of Commendation from the of Shannondale Springs; Julia as well as restoring the Bolivar American Association for State Davis: A Literary Biography, Spring House. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and Local History in 1996, and Volumes 1 and 2; Artisan Bread We are thankful for all of Cathy Baldau the Distinguished Citizen of Baking for Living History the time and support Donna Jefferson County Award from Museums; Baking Heirloom Ar- gave to the park and will miss OPERATIONS MANAGER the Spirit of Jefferson Farmers tisan Bread at Home; and The her quiet strength and fasci- Whitney Richards Advocate in 2001. Fourth Estate, Volume One. nating stories of her days as a EDITOR “No one could match We at the Harpers Ferry teacher, principal, and pilot. Catherine Oliver Dr. Theriault’s discoveries of Park Association extend our GRAPHIC DESIGNER David T. Gilbert BOARD OF DIRECTORS Association Awarded Grant for James Silvia, President Student Art Contests Doug Perks, Vice President David T. Gilbert, Secretary HFPA WAS THRILLED TO RECEIVE is open to students in grades Kathleen Ernst, and Boys and Wayne Welty, Treasurer a grant from the Eastern West 6-12 in Jefferson County. Girls Photography Club leader Jim Beckman Virginia Community Foun- The grant allows for the top Pat Murphy. Winners will be Mark Elrod dation for a 75th Anniversary students in each category to recognized during the 75th Cynthia Gayton Student Photography, Art, attend workshops with former Anniversary event in June. Jim Jenkins and Writing Contest (PAW). Artist-in-Residence Louise Suzanne Silvia The just-announced contest Minks, award-winning author Ed Wheeless 2 | The View | Spring 2019 75th Anniversary TIONAL NA HIS RY TO Speaker Series R th R E I F 75 C ANNIVERSARY A S L R P E A P R R K A H 1944 - 2019 Setting the Scene: Winter 1944 THROUGHOUT 2019, WE WILL BE CELEBRAT- ING many milestones in the seventy-five year history of Harpers Ferry NHP. To highlight just how special the creation of our park was, consider what else was “The Machine in the Garden at “Harpers Ferry Armory and the facing the nation at that time: Harpers Ferry: The impact of New Technology” the Industrial Revolution on the May 25, 2 pm | Lower Town, The Green January: Built Landscape, the Natural En- • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn tops the vironment, and Communities.” In May, the lectern will pass to Dr. national bestseller list. April 27, 2 pm | Mather Training Center Merritt Roe Smith, whose book on the • President Franklin D. Roosevelt Harpers Ferry Armory was nominated proposes a second Bill of Rights, Throughout 2019, Harpers Ferry Na- for a Pulitzer Prize. Dr. Smith is the guaranteeing items such as health- tional Historical Park will host several Leverett and William Cutten Professor care and education to all Ameri- talks led by renowned historians. Join us of the History of Technology at MIT. cans. at Mather Training Center at 2pm, April Presented on the 200th anniversary of • After 872 days, the German Siege of 27, as we welcome Dr. Paul Shackel, pro- innovator and gunsmith John Hall’s Leningrad is lifted. fessor of Anthropology at the University arrival in Harpers Ferry. Dr. Smith’s of Maryland and former HFNHP ar- program will explore the unique role of February: cheologist. During his seven-year tenure Harpers Ferry in the industrial revolu- • 187 German planes bomb London, at Harpers Ferry, Dr. Shackel’s team tion. Come discover why this tiny village the heaviest bombing since the helped uncover the social, labor, and is called the birthplace of the “American “Blitz” of 1941. class history of the town. His program System of Manufacturing.” • Britain and the United States strug- will focus on the 1990s archeological This program also includes a private gle with claims that their Soviet investigation of Virginius Island. collection viewing of original (some allies are disrespecting the auton- never fired) Harpers Ferry guns ca. 1812- omy of Poland—a dispute that will 1848, courtesy of HFPA board member last decades. Mark Elrod. • American troops conquer the Japa- nese-held Marshall Islands. This speaker series is presented with financial assistance March: from the West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate • Casablanca wins Best Picture at the of the National Endowment for the Humanities.