|
President's Annual Report
17 September 2000
At August 1998 annual meeting the Association empowered the president to obtain
an agreement with the City of Newport News that would turn over the
management
of the Warwick Court House buildings and grounds to the
Historical
Association. Shortly afterward the Board of Directors stated that the corollary
objective would be that the City would work with the Association to find funding
to improve the buildings to meet code and ADA requirements. Now two years
later, both of these goals have been met. An initial five year lease
agreement was signed in May of 1999 and Federal, State, and City grants and
matching funds totaling over five hundred thousand dollars have been
raised. In addition the Engineering Department has allocated $30,000.00
from its own budget to remove hazardous materials. The scope of work which
will be completed with these funds will restore the exterior and install a new
roof and bring the building up to necessary standards to provide a certificate
of occupancy for public assembly. The Historical Association will still
need to raise additional funding for interior restoration, furnishing, and
operation of the facilities with a projected cost of $500,000.00. The
Historical Association has been extremely fortunate in that this restoration
project has had the support of the Mayor and City Council and the Delegates and
Senators to the General Assembly. In August of 1998 I would not have anticipated
that we would now be at the point of seeing this much needed work being
undertaken.
This phase of the rehabilitation is administered by the Engineering Department
under the City Architect Gerard Cornielle and Michael Griffin Project
Engineer. Through standard procurement procedure the architectural firm
engaged is PMA, Jeff Stodghill architect, and the general contractor is
JD&W; Keith Greer project supervisor.
This year we finished the restoration of the 1810 Building and opened the first
six month exhibit from the Peninsula Jewish Historical Society. This
exhibit is very successful and portends important future use of this building as
a museum devoted to the history of the City of Newport News. Mrs. Sue Ann Bangle
is the Exhibition Historian. In January of 2001 an exhibition about the
C&O Railroad will be opened for six months under the direction of Milton E.
Lyon who will be the Exhibition Historian.
Most of the Newport News Collection was transferred in trust tot he Association
for preservation and will be displayed in the future. Also Harry Atkinson
donated several important artifacts as did John Curry. One of the
Association's goals is to be a depository for artifacts or the City's Attic if
you will.
Alarm systems have been installed in both buildings and they work all too
well. Engine Company 9 keeps an ever watchful eye on the property.
The exterior lighting will be made functional in conjunction with the on going
work.
Three anchors were moved from the Small Boat Harbor to
the Court House grounds as part of the City's heritage. The Society of
Descendant's of Colonial Patriots has donated a 25 ft. Flag Pole and a US flag
obtained by the late Congressman Herb Bateman. This will be installed as soon as
construction allows. A comprehensive plan to improve the grounds is in the
works.
The Tidewater Genealogical Society shares the 1884
Building with the Historical Association and has generously contributed tot he
restoration fund and the members generously give their time.
This next year
the Newport News-Warwick Historical Association must work to grow in three
directions: membership, programs, and fundraising. The Warwick Court
House Local History and Genealogical Center is becoming an important asset to
the people of Newport News and one of the exciting restoration projects in
Newport News.
Respectfully,
Everett Hogg, President, (1997-2001)
Last Updated
07 March 2002
|
