Celebration of History Preservation Effort

September 12, 2009

The highlight for the Elk Run Church Museum this year was its participation in kicking-off southern Fauquier’s “Tour in Time” Celebration. This event initiated a day-long celebration of the settlement of Fauquier County as part of the County’s 250th Anniversary.

It started with a 9:30 am Ribbon Cutting at the Museum and focused on what the Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee, and the Community at- large, had accomplished thus far in preserving this historical landmark. A re-excavated segment of the 250-year old Church foundation was show-cased within the Museum itself.

The all-day Elk Run celebration included 1700’s Music, Colonial Life Demonstrations, Period Re-enactors, Fauquier Indian Artifacts, Germantown Exhibit, Living Historians, and history Authors.

Morning refreshments were provided by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Women, and the local Elk Run Store sold lunch items and drinks. During the day school busses moved visitors from Elk Run to Mary Walters Elementary School where there was 1800’s and 1900’s Exhibits, also connected with Goldvein for their exhibits, and then back to Elk Run.

Guests included Supervisor C. Stribling and descendents of the first minister of the Elk Run Church, Reverend James Keith (1744-1752), and other notables. A financial gift was provided by Supervisor Stribling on behalf of the County Supervisors that will enable the Committee to install the much needed wall insulation and T-111 panels. Future donations will be used to complete the Museum history wall panels which have already been drafted.

The Elk Run Church Site volunteers need your financial support in order to achieve this important Historic Park goal. We appeal to you for help in establishing and preserving this remarkable treasure.

Your gift will help us reach our goal and secure the rightful place of Elk Run Church in the history of Colonial churches in Virginia. Checks may be made payable to “Elk Run Church Site Preservation Fund” and sent in care of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 8538 Greenwich Road, Catlett, VA 20119. Donations are tax deductible.

Donors    Fund Raising    Historic Park

“Finding Our Foundation” Elk Run Museum Exhibit Plans

September 8, 2009

Historic Park

Electric installed and more

September 6, 2009

We got a lot done again this past week. The electric was installed, passed initial inspection, and power turned on for our 12 Sept celebration.  Ed will pick up a temporary occupancy permit this coming Tuesday.

Becky Garber, one of our long-time archaeological assistants, got the excavated foundation completed Sunday, including painting the top interior concrete rim of the foundation a brown color that will match the dirt in the lower excavated unit.

The temporary wood rails on the handicap ramps were completed and Karl Hertag rounded and sanded the edges Saturday morning.

A White Primer has been applied to all of the outside trim and Porch area and gives the building a fresh completed look. A finish coat will need to be applied after the 12 Sept event.

Matthew Gulick removed the remainder of the debris but some more stone dust needs to be placed on our entrance path and handicap parking area.

A Handicap Parking Sign has been provided by Home Depot, Manassas and will need to be installed early this week after Handicap Parking area is completed.

Windows inside and outside still need to be cleaned, screens installed, and some touch up painting to be done inside before Wednesday.

Sarah Gulick is completing the cover for the 12 Sept Program and it will be filled with a lot of good information on Elk Run.

Donations are still greatly needed and my thanks to those who have been able to contribute and/or assist us with this effort thus far. Every little bit helps.

Our largest remaining expenditures continue to be the bricklayer’s final payment, including additional cost for installing the brick columns. The next and largest cost remaining is that of completing the preparation of the framing and display of our history items estimated at $3,000 to $3,500. The last item will be the purchase of an exterior Interpretative Sign frame ($410) for Archaeological work done there between1999-2006 and preparation of the material for the sign display (about $900).

Those of you who are able to attend this Saturday’s function please let Ed Dandar know. We look forward to seeing you!

Donors    Fund Raising    Historic Park