"Preserving the Past. Protecting the Future." the Protecting Past. the "Preserving Volume 4, Issue 2 Spring 2006 Historic Fairfax City, Inc. Blenheim House’s New Discoveries "Fare Fac - Say Do" by Andrea J. Loewenwarter Executive Officers Karen M. Stevenson President The 2006 Civil War Days on May 6 and 7 were remarkable Andrea Loewenwarter Vice-Pres. for several reasons: perfect weather, high attendance Hon. John E. Petersen Treasurer Betsy K. Rutkowski Secretary (approximately 1700 people) exciting reenactments, exhibits, music and dance performers and speakers. A Ann Adams Director Fairfax, VA 22030 VA Fairfax, Hildie Carney Director highlight, however, were the restoration tours provided by Norma M. Darcey Director the experts that coincided with the regular history tours, along with the 10209 Main Street Main 10209 Patricia A. Fabio Director Michael D. Frasier Director opportunity to Karen Stevenson, President Stevenson, Karen D. Lee Hubbard Director Hon. Wm. Page Johnson, II Director see newly Return Address - Historic Fairfax City, Inc. City, Fairfax Historic - Address Return Andrea J. Loewenwarter Director discovered David L. Meyer Director Bradley S. Preiss Director graffiti on the David L. Pumphrey Director lower level walls Hon. John H. Rust, Jr. Director Eleanor D. Schmidt Director of the Blenheim Dolores B. Testerman Director Edward C. Trexler, Jr. Director house. Ellen R. Wigren Director Sidney H. Williams Director The Newsletter of Due to the Historic Fairfax City, Inc. ongoing restoration process the second floor and attic were off-limits to visitors. But seeing portions of the house under stages of investigation certainly kept visitors’ The Fare Facs Gazette © 2006 attention. On the outside, the 1950s and 1960s kitchen Editor: William Page Johnson, II and laundry additions had been removed leaving the original 1858-59 house. Re-grouted and cleaned bricks and a new zinc-coated copper roof gave it a more newly built appearance. Inside, all the downstairs and stairwell wallpaper had been stripped, door moldings and fireplace mantels had been temporarily removed as part of the discovery process to determine which features were original to the house and which had been One of several new Civil War era etchings recently discovered at added at other time periods. Project Architect Terry Blenheim by conservation tecnicians. Depicted is a soldier Necciai fascinated crowds as he discussed the details blowing "Reveille" on a bugle. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.historicfairfax.org Continued on Page 4 Volume 4, Issue 2 The Fair Facs Gazette Spring 2006 Volume 4, Issue 2 The Fair Facs Gazette Spring 2006 Fairfax, Virginia, May 2006- Greetings from the President-- In conjunction with Spotlight on the Arts, Welcome New Members! HFCI sponsored at Old Town Hall a program on May HFCI MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/ th News from HFCI Committees and Board 10 : “This Ole House – The Art of Restoration and James E. Anderson RENEWAL Renovation”. Board members Brad Preiss (interior Christopher J. Marsh HISTORIC FAIRFAX CITY, INC. is a non-profit member activities. Our Outreach Committee, corporation (501©(3) organization) Chaired by Ellie Schmidt has compiled a “power finishing contractor) and Mick Frasier (President Charles & Rosalie Pate point” presentation with pictures to introduce HFCI of Fairfax Homes) were members of the five The Board of Directors of HFCI extends a hearty welcome to other organizations and civic associations. We member panel. Dr. Chris Martin, City Historic Membership Classifications: to all new HFCI members. are adding pictures of additional activities as they Resources Director moderated the panel. Other occur. Please contact us if your organization is members were Mike Pappas (restorer of homes), • Class A Individual interested in this presentation which is only about Douglas Gilpin (preservation architect) and Andrew ..........................................................................$25.00 Class A-1 Additional Household Member 20 minutes long. We bring our own equipment. Wilson (City Fire Marshal). • ..........................................................................$10.00 (contact: [email protected]) Civil War Days were held at the Blenheim • Class B-1 Non-profit Organizations ..........................................................................$35.00 estate on May 6th and 7th. The Blenheim House open The Blenheim Committee, Chaired by David • Class B-2 For profit Organizations Meyer has announced City Council has given for tours and Mosby’s raid were the highlights of ..........................................................................$50.00 approval for the final design of the Interpretive this event. A big thanks to the Civil War reenactors HISTORIC FAIRFAX CITY, INC. Center consistent with the City’s Master Plan. After who donated $270 to be used for Blenheim. a final bid is approved by the City and a contract is Do you want to know more about the history of Enclosed is my tax-deductible membership application Karen Stevenson where you live? and check made out to Historic Fairfax City Inc. for: signed, ground breaking for the Interpretive Center $___________ will be scheduled. JOIN HISTORIC FAIRFAX CITY, INC. Edward Trexler, Chairman of our Historic Name or Organization: Just what is available to you as a member of HFCI? Markers Committee is working on completion of Telephone #: four historic markers in time for the Jamestown Getting To Know You A newsletter, 4 times a year announcing what is 2007 Celebration. The four markers are: Old HFCI Board Member John E. Petersen, Ph.D happening with all HFCI projects and events Contact name: Fairfax High School; the Draper House; Mount st Calvary Baptist Church (1 Black Church) and John is a three year HFCI 2 general meetings a year, affording you an e-mail: Rosenwald School. Ed was also recently honored Board Member and Treasurer of opportunity to meet and speak with people behind as a Direct-Service Volunteer (nominated by the HFCI. His professional the scenes working to maintain interest in the Address: HFCI Board) at the City of Fairfax Volunteer background makes John a “perfect history of Fairfax. Recognition Awards on April 18, 2006. fit” for Treasurer of HFCI’s Board. Congratulations, Ed! Thank you for your dedication! He is Professor of Public Policy We are looking forward to having you be a part of the Return to: Historic Fairfax City, Inc., City's bi-centennial in 2005. We need and value your and Finance at the School of Public Policy, George Attention: Membership Committee HFCI Board members visited the home of Mason University. He received his B.A., support. Together we will preserve the heritage that has 10209 Main Street Cindy and Mike Pappas at 3701 Old Chain Bridge Economics, from Northwestern University, and been left to us. Fairfax, VA 22030 Road in April to see the “almost complete” M.B.A. from the Wharton School, University of restoration of the Roberts/Chichester House built Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D., Economics, University The Board of Directors of -or- around 1866. Of particular interest to Board of Pennsylvania. He travels extensively doing Historic Fairfax City, Inc. members were the “hand hewn” logs used to support research and financial advisory work in Eastern Website: www.historicfairfax.org E-mail: [email protected] the house. About three years ago, HFCI supported Europe and East and South Asia advising the World preserving this house when it was sold to developers. Bank, USAID and the Asian Development Bank. Continued on Page 3 2 11 Volume 4, Issue 2 The Fair Facs Gazette Spring 2006 Volume 4, Issue 2 The Fair Facs Gazette Spring 2006 "Fire" Continued from page 5... that he purchased the Fairfax News from the estate of Hiram Finally, City Fire Marshall Andrew Wilson Fuller, founder of the Fairfax News, about 1852 (see Presses This Ole House is a Hit Templar Lodges on the second floor. The Masons and printers of Newton Before 1868, Barnsley, Edward R., © and Templars lost all of their property, including an 1934, Bucks County Historical Society). m. M. Augusta D. On Wednesday, May 10th, Historic Fairfax organ. Brower (1826 - ? ). Children were William F. Brower (1855 - ? ), City, Inc. in conjunction with Spotlight on The Arts Charles A. Brower (1858 - ?), Physician, Gainesville, Prince Wm. Co., VA 1880. and the City of Fairfax Department of Historic As with the 1853 fire, the citizens tried in 2 William Presley Gunnell b. October 19, 1820; d. June 5, 1875; Resources, sponsored a panel discussion as part of vain to battle the blaze. Incredibly, Fairfax still had bur. Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, TX. Was the son of Ira and their bi-annual meeting titled: This Ole House, The no Fire Department. The fire quickly spread east to Martha Vermillion Gunnell; m. Martha Lindsay, b. 01/20/1820; d. Art of Restoration and Renovation. Particpating on the adjoining buildings on the north side on Main 11/30/1902. Occupation Physician. His home in Fairfax was the site of the capture of Gen. Edwin S. Stoughton by Col. John S. the panel were three City of Fairfax residents Mike Street. Job Hawxhurst’s Drug Store, which also Mosby during the Civil War. Removed to Waco, McLennan Pappas, Mick Frasier and Brad Preiss, who shared housed the Post Office and Telegraph Office, was Co., TX after 1860. Children were: Jenny Lindsay Gunnell (1853 their expertise and experiences of old house destroyed. The mail, however, was saved. Henry - ? ), Ada Byron Gunnell (1855 - ? ), Marion Campbell Gunnell restoration. Hawxhurst’s law office and William H. Steele’s Hutchins (1856-1937), Dr. Mooter Gunnell (1858- ?), Laura Richard Gunnell (1859-1929). Undertaker’s Shop and residence were destroyed. 3 The Evening Star, August 5, 1853, p. 2, c. 5. Mike Pappas has toiled through grit and The Blacksmith’s Shop which adjoined the 4 Alexandria Gazette, August 6, 1853, p. 3, c. 2. grime and much determination to restore his current Undertaker was saved, as was a store belonging to residence in the City of Fairfax, even when others This Ole House panel (l to r): Dr.