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October 2020 Issue
In this issue:
  • Elaine Walker Memorial Service, October 10
  • New Jerusalem's Gold Star Flag
  • Hidden History: The Mount Sinai Church and Cemetery
  • Video feature: Hope on the Hill: The Story of Storer College
  • Part II: The Right to Vote: An Ancestral Story
  • Nearby (mostly virtual) events of interest
  • About us
  • Archive of back issues


Covid-19 update:

Lovettsville Museum open by appointment

The Lovettsville Museum is now open  to those making an advance appointment.  Anyone wishing to visit the Museum for research purposes, or to view any exhibits, is encouraged to contact us at info@LovettsvilleHistoricalSociety.org to request an appointment.

Facial masks will be required, and physical distancing will be observed.

Our lecture series will remained suspended for the coming period. .

As always, the safety of our members and participants is our foremost concern.

Our website is open 24/7 -- with lots of videos, history features, and research guides.

And don't forget, when you're not looking at our website, wear your mask!  Our nation has done this before....

 A citizens group in California urges everyone to wear a mask during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. 
Photos;  National Archives

New Jerusalem’s Gold Star Flag

To accompany the dedication of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at the south entrance to Lovettsville on September 11, we thought it would be fitting to recall the story of the Gold Star service flag at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, just across the road from the site of the new Gold Star monument.

On Flag Day, Sunday, June 14, 2015 – in the midst of New Jerusalem’s year-long 250th Anniversary celebration -- David Spring Whipple gave a “History Minute” presentation on the service flag that flew in the church vestibule during World War II.  With the original flag on display in the sanctuary, Whipple reviewed the history of service flags going back to World War I, when they were displayed from homes, places of business, churches, and schools to indicate the number of family members either serving in the armed forces, or who had died in service.  “Service flags have a deep blue star for each living member in the service, and a gold star for each member who has died,” Whipple said. “Usually hung in an exterior window, the banners became commonplace in homes where anxious, yet proud, families waited for word from their sons, husbands, brothers, and friends striving to free those an ocean away.”

“As World War I continued and men were killed in combat, fatally wounded, or died of disease, the gold star was substituted and superimposed upon the blue star, so as to cover it completely.  The gold star was meant to convey the honor and glory deserving of the individual who had made the supreme sacrifice for his country.”

“The service flag came into use again in World War II,” Whipple continued, “when the men and women of the United States took up arms to defeat fascism and tyranny across both oceans.”Pointing to the flag, Whipple noted: “New Jerusalem’s Gold Star flag has 30 blue stars; and as you can see, the flag has one gold star!” 

“So who does the Gold Star on New Jerusalem’s flag represent?” Whipple asked that Sunday, and answered that although research was underway, “we haven’t found the answer yet,” but that the search was continuing.

A few months later, on Sunday, October 4, 2015, Edward Spannaus presented another “History Minute,” which told the rest of the story. Here it is, as presented that day.
Read the rest of the story: "Our Gold Star Soldier Found"

Hidden History: 

The Mount Sinai Church
& Cemetery
at "Little Britain"
 Anyone passing through the intersection of Mountain Road and Britain Road southwest of the town of Lovettsville, would have no idea that this was once the center of a vibrant Black community, centered on a general store on the west side of Mountain Road, and a thriving church and school on the east side.  Today, all that is left is an abandoned cemetery, once the burial ground for Mount Sinai Free Will Baptist Church – which includes the grave of a Civil War veteran, Private Samuel B. Timbers of the 29th U.S. Colored Infantry.

We started looking at Mount Sinai, as a result of our examination of the Register of “Colored” Voters from the 1890s which was found in the Lovettsville Museum (the subject of articles in last month’s and this month’s Newsletter). Two of those voters, J. William Paris and his son John E. Paris, are buried at Mount Sinai.

The Loudoun County Cemetery Database, maintained by the Thomas Balch Library, lists nine known burials at Mount Sinai – with the surnames of Curtis, Howard, Paris, Timbers, and Young.  We have learned of a number of other burials, with the surnames of Beaner, Furr, Hogan, Lucas, Moten, Payne, and Redman.  According to stories circulated in the area, there are many more burials there, and perhaps as many as one hundred altogether, according to one unconfirmed report.

Even the go-to website for cemeteries, Find-a-Grave, had no listing for Mount Sinai until recently, when we created one. We now show 16 known graves, and we expect to be able to add many more as we learn of them.  You can view the Mount Sinai Cemetery page here.

Although the cemetery appears neglected today – and indeed is not even visible from the road this time of year – various efforts to clean  and restore it have been undertaken from time to time, by families or the property owners. Private Timbers’s grave marker was cleaned and repaired about six years ago by Kenneth Fleming, who is well-known in this area for his care and restoration of veterans’ gravesites, including both Confederate and Union soldiers from the Civil War.
Continue reading about Mount Sinai
Featured Video: 
 

“Hope On the Hill:
Harpers Ferry’s Storer College”

Lovettsville Historical Society, August 13, 2017

 

Part II --
 
The Right to Vote:

An Ancestral Story
 
By Claudette Lewis Bard
 
Last month, we briefly chronicled the lives of 37 African-American men whose names were included in the “List of Colored Voters Registered at Lovettsville Precinct.” Our stories unexpectedly coincided with the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment. This amendment granted African-American men the right to vote.  The amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by Congress on February 26, 1869 and ratified on February 3, 1870. It was part of a series of Reconstruction Amendments enacted after the Civil War intended for Black Americans that included the 13th amendment which abolished slavery in the United States and the 14th amendment that guaranteed citizenship to those formerly enslaved. In simple terms, the 15th amendment says, "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." [sources: ourdocuments.gov; history.com]
This month, we add some more information about the people behind the names in the Voter Register.  The names of two of these, Charles Timbers and Henry Trammell, had been missed when we initially took down the names from the original register. And, after publication, we recalled that two other voters listed in the register, had been participants in the famous 1883 mass meeting of Loudoun County Black citizens.
Read more about the 1890s Voter List
Nearby (mostly virtual) events of interest:
 

Oct. 1–30 – Thomas Balch Library Exhibit: History of the African-American Vote. Presented by Alicia Cohen and the TBL Black History Committee. Margaret Mercer Room, Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market Street, Leesburg, VA. Exhibit can be viewed on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment.  Call 703-737-7195.

Friday – Sunday, Oct. 2-4 – Waterford Fair Online, including: Homes Tours, Reenactors Interviews, Entertainment, and Demonstrating Artisan Interviews. Tickets ($10) and the full Virtual Fair schedule can be found at: https://www.eventeny.com/events/76th-waterford-fair-unmasked-668/  PLUS...Shop 3 Ways!  1. Participating Demonstrating Artisans https://www.waterfordfairva.org/#artisans. 2. Shop Our Artisans ~ a few Demonstrating Artisan have offered items at a special rate to make a larger impact for the Waterford Foundation https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/shop-our-artisans/. 3. Old Mill ONLINE Sale ~ To view all items for sale and to purchase go to the online retail shop at this link: https://rb.gy/vd979f.  So, click, tour, shop and experience a bit of the Waterford Fair, UNMASKED and from the safety of your home! Grab your favorite beverage, a pad of paper & pen (for shopping) and enjoy the weekend.

Sat. - Sun., Oct 3-4 – Brunswick Virtual Railroad Days. Friends of Historic Brunswick, Maryland, has partnered with the Brunswick Heritage Museum to produce educational videos about some of Brunswick's many historic treasures as part of the City of Brunswick's virtual Railroad Days event "Brunswick Strong." Videos will debut during the weekend of the event October 3-4, 2020, at the museum's website www.brunswickmuseum.org at the noted scheduled times.  Additional information about the Brunswick Strong event can be found at www.brunswick-strong.com. 

Every Sat. & Sun. in October – "One Vast Hospital..." Join National Museum of Civil War Medicine docents for walking tours of Downtown Frederick focused on the city’s role as a makeshift hospital in the final months of 1862. The 45-60 minute tour will take place every Saturday and Sunday in October at 2:00 PM beginning at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Each tour is limited to 12 participants. Masks are required throughout the tour and we request that you practice strict social distancing. Tickets are $15 and include admission to the Museum in addition to the walking tour. Tickets are free for Museum members, but you must still reserve your spot. Reservations will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Click HERE to buy your ticket today.

Wed., Oct. 7 – 5:30 p.m. – John Brown walking tour, Harpers Ferry. The Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table is sponsoring a free walking tour on the topic of John Brown: Monuments and Mythology, led by historian and interpreter David Fox. Due to West Virginia COVID restrictions, attendance is limited to 25. This tour focuses on three monuments in Harpers Ferry born out of the collision of John Brown, the Lost Cause and racial politics. The controversy over this war of words written in stone continues to this day. Our guide David Fox served as an interpretive park ranger at Harpers Ferry for 30 years, retiring in 2018. The tour lasts about one hour and involves walking one block on flat surfaces. Limited seating is provided. We encourage all to wear a mask and to practice social distancing. Bring an umbrella in case of light rain. (We will cancel in case of a storm.) Note that parking is limited to busy spots at the Train Station, metered parking along Potomac Street, or a small distant lot on Shenandoah Street near the US340 bridge. Reserve your space by calling 304-433-1260. Arrive early, and give yourself walking time.

Thurs., Oct. 8 , 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. – History on Tap: Bear Chase Brewing. Historians from the Loudoun Museum and Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area tell weird and wild stories from the Bluemont area, set against the spectacular backdrop overlooking the Loudoun Valley. Bear Chase Brewing, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont, VA 20135
Free admission / Donations welcome

Sat., Oct. 10, at 1:00 p.m. --  Memorial Service and Celebration of Life for Elaine D. Walker.  Elaine Walker was for many years the Mayor of Lovettsville, and she was also a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Lovettsville Historical Society. Her family invites you to this celebration of her life, to be held at the Walker Pavilion, near the Town Square in Lovettsville. (See announcement above.)  They ask that you wear a mask, and bring a chair. See our obituary for Elaine here. 

Sun., Oct. 11, 2-4 p.m. – Rose Hill Cemetery Tour, Hagerstown. Founded in 1866, Rose Hill Cemetery is the final resting place for many notable persons who called Hagerstown and Washington County home. Cemetery Executive Director Colleen Rafferty will lead a walking tour where she will highlight the most requested persons interred within the cemetery. Hagerstown's first public cemetery, Rose Hill was established to provide a place for the burial of all people regardless of race or religion. Sponsored by Historical Society of Washington County. A map outlining the tour route will be provided for all guests. Guests are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing while on this tour. Purchase ticket HERE

Fri., Oct.16 at 6 p.m. – Culture & Cocktails: Stories from the Antietam Battlefield (Zoom event). Enjoy a drink and have a think! In October, he's back! Perennial favorite Mark Brugh of Sharpsburg Civil War Ghost Tours returns to share even more ghost stories from the Antietam Battlefield...and beyond. The featured cocktail will be: the Haunted Orchard. Indulge thrills and chills with this deliciously spiced apple cider cocktail! For more information, please don't hesitate to get in touch! Culture & Cocktails 2020 has been made possible by the generous support of the James and Mary Schurz Foundation. Register here, or call 301-797-8782.

Sat., Oct. 24 and Nov. 7, 4:00 p.m. – Guided Tours of the Battle of Middleburg battlefield at Mt. Defiance. Join us for a guided tour of the Mt. Defiance battlefield, part of the June 19, 1863 Battle of Middleburg. Led by local educator and historian Rich Gillespie, the tour will look at site features and the battle events in context, and will include strategic military aspects of the battle, landscape features, and engaging human-interest stories. Free admission; no reservations necessary. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Meet in the parking lot at 35945 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. If you’d like to register ahead of time, you may, but not required: October 24th tour – http://apm.activecommunities.com/novaparks/Activity_Search/4188. November 7th tour -- http://apm.activecommunities.com/novaparks/Activity_Search/4220

 
Explore Our Website
Membership Information
About Us
Our Mission:
 
The mission of the Lovettsville Historical Society is to foster a sense of place and community by preserving, protecting, and educating about the history and heritage of Lovettsville and the  German Settlement.  

   We achieve this by:
    1.  Operating, maintaining, and expanding the Lovettsville Museum in order to acquire, display, and preserve artifacts, documents, and records which relate to our local history;
    2.  Maintaining and operating a physical and online research library for use by historians, genealogists, and the public;
    3.  Educating the public about Lovettsville area history through programs, printed and online resource materials, and events.
 
*   *   *   *   *

The success of our mission relies heavily upon our membership, which provides the needed resources and also committed volunteers who share our passion for local history. Please encourage your friends, family, and others to join the Lovettsville Historical Society (LHS), or renew their annual membership, to ensure our continued success in preserving and promoting our local heritage.

There are many opportunities for members and others to participate in supporting the Lovettsville Historical Society and also meet others who share in our passion for preserving and promoting our local history. This includes volunteering to help with the museum, fundraising, organizing events, website and social media, and publicizing our activities.  We enjoy hosting special presentations for groups such as Scouts, school classes and tourists. Lastly, the donations of local historical artifacts such as family documents and pictures (or digital scans thereof), ensure that we can continue our efforts to expand our presentation of local genealogical information.

The Lovettsville Historical Society, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code.  Contributions and membership dues are tax deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 170.  The Society has been deemed to be exempt from registration under the Commonwealth of Virginia's charitable solicitation law.
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Lovettsville: The German Settlement is available for sale at the Lovettsville Museum.
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