www.historicpolegreen.org historic polegreen church foundation 2013 NEWSLETTER Vision 2018: Reclaiming the Historic Viewshed By the 275th Anniversary of the founding of Polegreen Church, the Polegreen Foundation will be recognized for its leadership in the historic interpretation of civil and religious freedom in Colonial Virginia through preservation of the historic site, community outreach, and educational programs. In order to achieve this goal, the Foundation will continue to preserve the historic site and commemorate the struggle for civil and religious freedom in Colonial Virginia by Rev. Samuel Davies and the Hanover Dissenters. In 1990 the Presbytery of the James, successor to Hanover Presbytery that was founded at Polegreen in 1755, authorized the creation of a non-profit foundation to preserve, enhance and interpret the site of Polegreen Church. The Foundation’s first objective was to locate the remains of the colonial church. Archaeologists from Virginia Commonwealth University conducted the work and uncovered the remains of the church’s foundation. On the basis of the physical TABLE OF CONTENTS evidence and the easily documented record of the important events related to the Hanover Dissenters and Samuel Davies, in 1991, the U.S. National Park Vision 2018: Reclaiming the Service listed the site in the Register of National Historic Places. Historic Viewshed The Polegreen Foundation has been the grateful recipient of the advice and From the Desk of the Executive counsel of the staff of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Through them the Director services of internationally known architect Carlton Abbott were obtained. Abbott Treasurer’s Report designed the unique enhancements over the church foundations and other What is the Polegreen Reading interpretative elements around the perimeter of the park. With growing concern Room? over urban sprawl and Abbott’s recommendation, the Foundation acquired History on Stage close to 150 acres around the church site later including Studley, the Patrick Henry birthplace. Abbott outlined a strategy to relocate housing improvements 2012 Honor Roll of Donors that encroached on the historic viewshed to vacant lots outside that viewshed. Schedule of Events Completing its restoration work by the 275th anniversary requires decisive Road to Revolution State action. The Foundation’s final preservation efforts will begin in May 2013 Heritage Trail Doubles in Size with an anticipated date of substantial completion the 150th anniversary of Welcome Our New Director of the demise of the church structure by Confederate artillery, June 1, 2014. A Operations, Beth Young! mini- capital campaign plan is underway to facilitate moving the large White House on the corner of Heatherwood Drive and Rural Point Road among other Spring Lectures improvements. If you would like to make a restricted gift to this viewshed Samuel Davies: Polegreen restoration effort, please contact the Foundation office at 804.730.3837 or email Evangelist at [email protected]. www.historicpolegreen.org historic polegreen church foundation Reading Room From the Desk of the Treasurer’s Report Many of you have been asking about the second silhouette Executive Director structure located at the Foundation’s archeological site. The On behalf of the Finance smaller of the two structures is known historically as “The Committee, I want to express While I am proud to have helped Polegreen realize Morris Reading Room.” On that small parcel of ground my gratitude to those who events took place in 1743 that had a revolutionary impact History on Stage significance advances in recent years, the Foundation have chosen to support our on the history of America. Four years earlier the English still has much to accomplish, so I invite you to join us on Foundation whether through evangelist, George Whitefield, preached in Bruton Parish To promote a greater understanding our exciting adventure. This year the Foundation Board individual or corporate giving. of Polegreen as the birthplace of civil Each donation regardless of Church in Williamsburg. His sermon emphasizing the need approved Vision 2018: Reclaiming the Historic Viewshed. and religious freedom, the Foundation size helps support our mission to preserve and interpret the for a vital personal religious experience was enthusiastically Details about this ambitious project are outlined in this hosted a production of the Trial of the historic site. 2012 marked continued progress in expanding and received, published, and widely read. During the previous newsletter. It is my hope that you will choose to support Spotsylvania Baptists performed by the enhancing the physical plant as well as enlarging our base of decade increasing numbers of Anglicans grew inactive the restoration of the natural environs of this historic place. Virginia Patriots on May 19th. Dozens of Foundation supporters financial supporters. Highlights of the year are many but include in their church life, and on the Sabbath gathered in their These efforts will not be mine alone. Much like the recent and first time visitors gathered inside the confines of our the completion of new hard surfaced trails, additional landscaping homes with others to study the Bible and read religious successes, generous donors, an active Board of Directors, silhouette and enjoyed a Sunday afternoon of educational and a paved parking area to increase access and improve the material like Whitefield’s sermon. Within a short time their office staff, and volunteers will make things possible. theater in open air. The production’s central theme concerned visitor experience. living rooms could not contain the crowds. This prompted the right to religious freedom in the words of Rev. Waller and a To compliment this long range real estate initiative, with the Samuel Morris, a brick-mason, to build the reading house. Upon review of the revised End of Year 2012 Financial Statements, local Spotsylvania County judge. These players of the Parson’s generous support of The Windsor Foundation, the site will the Foundation’s finances remain healthy and growing aided in As absenteeism in Anglican churches increased, dissenter Cause and the Second Virginia Convention told a story of get yet another enhancement in 2013 to include strategic part by the sale of the Strawhorn house moved in 2007 to its Patrick Henry’s defense of the Spotsylvania Baptists in 1768. lighting and more aggregate hard surfaced trails connecting location. Already this year, the Foundation sold its Brook Road numbers grew. By the time Samuel Davies arrived in Mr. Henry defended three preachers who faced imprisonment property donated by the late Mr. Harry Bluford and acquired 1747 three more reading houses had developed in other the church with the Timeline of the History of Religious for publicly proclaiming the Gospel at the Upper Spotsylvania a remaining piece of historic viewshed known as the Dobbs locations. The Anglican clergy became alarmed and Freedom. These upgrades supplement our well established Meeting House. His defense marked a significant step towards educational programs. property near our site. Work is underway to place a historic complained bitterly to civil authorities in Williamsburg, easement on that 2 acre lot. charging the dissenters with disturbing the peace. religious liberty as defined in the Declaration of Rights (1776) So as the site comes alive this year, either with blossoming and later in the Virginia’s Statute for Religious Freedom (1786). Polegreen ended the fiscal year with total net assets of dogwood trees, the buzz of the traveling public, or back- Ten days before Samuel Davies arrived in Williamsburg to $5,105,237.17, marking a 5% increase over the prior year. hoes and hydraulic house moving trailers, I invite you to petition for a license to preach, the Governor of the Virginia Financial planning in a slow-growth economy requires a colony issued the following directive that was widely visit this special corner of history. The Foundation again conservative approach to investments. We believe our money distributed. News from the Annual Meeting plans an active 2013 program schedule with a little managers at Davenport and Company have positioned us well something for everyone. Already hundreds visited the site for these dynamic and unpredictable times. Our overall positive On February 16, 2013, the Board of Directors met in the for a community Easter sunrise service hosted by area position represents confirms this fact. I wish to offer a special A PROCLAMATION Polegreen visitor center and foundation office building to congregations, our annual National Day of Prayer event and thank you to Board Members Bob Giles and Everett Reveley for Whereas It is represented to me that several Itinerant consider Foundation business. Each year officers and new Preachers have lately Crept into the Colony and that the History on Stage with the Virginia Patriots. If you have never their special guidance. directors are selected. Suffering these Corrupters of our faith and true Religion visited Polegreen or if you haven’t been lately, the historic The 2013 budget, approved in February by the Board, continues do to propagate their Shocking Doctrines may be of On behalf of the Executive Committee, Mr. Jay Johnston site is located in eastern Hanover County, 12 miles from POaL strategicEG focusRE onE educationalN programs. Spring and summer PmischievousOLE Gconsequences,REEN I have, therefore, thought presented the following slate of officers for the upcoming year: downtown