October 12, 2007
Petersburg Uncovers Past To Define the Future at Historic Battersea
Saturday, October 20, is Archaeology Day at one of America’s premiere historical sites, Battersea. And, it’s not just observation of the excavations done by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR); one can actually participate in the excavation via hands-on discussion with State Archaeologist, Mike Barber.
Barber along with other professional archeologists will oversee a dig which begins on October 16 and culminates with the Public Archaeology Day on Saturday, from noon to 3pm. Tuesday through Friday, 10-12 volunteers will join Barber’s team as they execute an active dig at the 18th-century site. Saturday, the results of their excavations will be available for the public to view. Related children’s activities will be provided at 12:30pm and 2:00pm. In addition, free tours of the House, Exhibits by Battersea, Inc. and by the Commonwealth, and refreshments will be provided. At 1:30pm, Petersburg’s mayor, Annie M. Mickens, will welcome the public. This will be followed by brief remarks from Kathleen Kilpatrick, Executive Director of VDHR, who will highlight the significance of the dig and of archaeology as a valued study for learning about the past use and thus the future potential use of this nationally significant site.
Battersea Inc. and the City of Petersburg, Virginia, as evidenced by this event, bring together the talents and energy to steer the future of Battersea. Studying the past through on-site archaeology will help shed light on the important role this property played in America’s past and possibly constructively enlighten the citizens of Petersburg, the Commonwealth and the nation.
Constructed in 1767/1768 on the banks of the Appomattox River, Battersea is a rare surviving example of a Palladian villa. The estate, composed of a unique, original 18th-century house and its surrounding 37 acres, has been owned since 1985 by the City of Petersburg. The house was built by Col. John Banister, (a Revolutionary War patriot and framer of the Articles of Confederation) as an urban villa, rather than a plantation house. Although modified on the exterior at various times throughout its history, it retains one of the purest original Palladian plans. In 2006, recent research elevated Battersea’s status to nationally significant on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation first awarded in 1968 under state and local significance. The property is recognized for its outstanding contributions to architecture and design in American Palladianism and as a unique survivor of that influential period of architecture in early America.
Battersea and its grounds are a unique cultural property with opportunities to explore several themes of history important to the region. This archaeological study showcases the concept that preservation of America’s past offers insight and guidance as we define its the future. The educational opportunities provided by this active excavation at Battersea present one of just many sustainable uses for the site with potential for continued education and passive recreation.
Battersea, Inc. is a federally-recognized 501-c-3 tax-exempt non-profit organization, established in 2006 to partner with the City in a co-stewardship arrangement. The Board of Directors of Battersea, Inc. is presently composed of 21 founding members from Central Virginia and other parts of the Commonwealth, many with professional or other interests in the City of Petersburg or in Battersea itself. Many have extensive experience in other state and national preservation efforts or bring specialized technical, fund-raising, historical, or other talents to support the creative preservation and development of the historic and cultural assets of the house and property.
Directions to Battersea: Take the Washington St. exit off I-95 towards Old Towne Petersburg. Continue west-bound on Washington St. Immediately after West St., turn right onto Battersea Lane.
Does this mean that there will be no Historical Re-enactments in 2008?
I have heard that there will not be.
Dear Indigenous,
I’d check with the reenactors for an honest answer. One big question that might be part of the answer is “how much effort did the sponsors provide?” Possibly the Colonial reenactors were not very appreciative of the buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken that the city provided them in the past?
Petersburg
I am not sure about your “Kentucky Fried Chicken” comment and what it has to do with the Battersea Reenactors. The Reenactors come out to live the period and that includes food, etc. They stay “in period” throughout the weekend. The city does not feed them out at Battersea during the weekend of the annual reenactment. They bring there own food, build their own fires and cook. They live the life, and any reenactor not doing so is looked down upon by the reenactor community. Where is the “kentucky fried chicken” comment coming from?
The problem with the Battersea Reenactment though is the City’s failure to promote it. It is a wonderful event but not many know about it.
I’m not sure about the “Chicken” comment either. Having attended this function in the past, I never saw such. Question is, why at Battersea in the first place? The battle its self took place in or near the city. I seem to recall reading somewhere that when the American forces were routed from the city, they moved across the river and fired their cannons from the hill in what is now Colonial Heights??
And yes, it is not promoted as it should be. I guess that is to be expected knowing Petersburg.
First of all, it really wan’t much of a “battle” to begin with. Nevertheless, the event is held at Battersea because of the historic nature of the house itself and the fact that it was the headquarters of the British forces while it was passing through Petersburg.
Secondly, there is enough land around it to have an encampment area for the reenactors plus room enough for some skirmishes.
There are a lot of reenactments that aren’t held on the actual grounds that the battle was held and in areas that do not have a historic centerpiece like Battersea.
Is there a point to this thread?
Ditto that Michael. So the dig is on, and its a great reason to get out to Battersea. Plain and simple. See you folks there!
Kentucky Fried Chicken? Point?
Hey Michael, do you have a box of crayons? If so, take out the clear one and color me gone. I asked a simple question and received two answers that I didn’t know before. Point? Why butt in if you don’t like it!
Hey Indigenous, while I can’t speak for Michael, it could be the case that his point is not so much that he disagrees, as that he requests some clarification? For my own part, a good part of this thread has been puzzling. (E.g, what to make of the KFC reference? Further, what are the concerns exactly? Were you/others arguing for better sponsorship of reenactments at Battersea, or for seeing the reenactments moved elsewhere? If the latter, why?) Yes, ZoneIV did offer some interesting information in comment #6. But up to that point, this thread was fuzzy to some of us. What was clear, however, was that Battersea was hosting a cool event yesterday. :-)
Anyway, should Michael actually have been expressing disagreement, please keep in mind this is a public, not private, conversation — diversity of opinion is to be expected in a space such as this.
The P-I covers Archaeology Day at Battersea.
Let me clarify my KFC post since it seems to be such a big deal.
The question and statement by Indigenous was, “Does this mean that there will be no Historical Re-enactments in 2008?
“I have heard that there will not be.”
A “primary source” close to the re-enactors stated that some of the reenactors felt that the city’s support was lacking, and it was reported that the KFC provided by the city was considered a little “cheezy.”
Now that’s what I heard. Just rumor? If someone has other information from all the re-enactors, that’s fine too. No re-enactors, obviously, there would be no battle!
None have answered Indiginous’s question yet. I was just dropping a chicken bone that I heard!
Excuse me. I must have read the heading of this thread in the wrong way. I could have sworn that it says; Petersburg Uncovers Past to define the Future of Battersea. How dumb of me to think that by asking a simple question about future events at the site it would cause such a ruckus. I guess wondering about such triffle has nothing at all to do with defining Battersea’s future.
Indigenous, your question is absolutely fine; no issues there at all. Just didn’t follow some of the comments thereafter. (Some of us are relatively new to town and neither have a view on the subject, nor understand what the concerns in relation to same are.) Anyway, was just a request for a bit more background. Certainly not a cause for upset. :-)
Seems to be some free-floating hostility out there. Simply asking if there is a point to something should not engender such high dungeon. However, apologies to those offended by my remark.
OOPS! Excuse me. I meant high dudgeon, not dungeon.
Did anyone participate in the dig on Saturday? Who had discussion with State Archaeologist Mike Barber or some of the other professionals that should have been on the site? I wanted to be there, but other commitments prevented my participation. I would have loved to add to this thread about uncovering Petersburg’s past to define it’s future.
** From the site moderator: This and all further comments posted by or in response to “Petersburg” have been deleted. This is not to suppress anyone’s opinion. But when folks start arguing not to the point, but to the person — that is, if people start name-calling or otherwise issuing personal attacks at each other –, moderation is called for to maintain a space where people can feel free to exchange questions and points of view. Passionate comments are cool, let’s just keep it civil. Thank you for your understanding.
Hey Akin, thanks for putting that question out there. I too missed the event (this cold/cough thing has been a real drag) and would love to hear what arifacts were found, what meanings they suggested to the archeologists, etc.
To indigenous:
The dig alone should not affect whether or not there is a reenactment next spring. It simply wasn’t that big of deal and was only planned for a short time.
Observations from going out there:
I went out last Friday. This was not some huge dig. There were 6 people who were active in the digging. If memory recalls, there were two archeologists and 4 highly trained volunteers. I did get an opportunity to speak to Mike Barber and the rest of crew.
Their efforts centered around the front steps and confirming the original construction and the reconstruction in the 1800s (i.e what the original steps were and how they were reconstructed). I kind of liken it to architectural forensics but that is only a personal observation. They did find some buttons ceramics, pottery and glass fragments.
In reality, this limited dig intent’s was to bring some publicity to Battersea. It is only a starting point.
About Battersea:
It is owned by the City. A non-profit organization by the name of Battersea, Inc. was formed in 2006 and introduced last Spring to the public. While they do not have their website up and running, they do have some information here about the foundation and its goals. http://www.batterseainc.com The Board is made up of impressive individuals from around the state so it is not simply a local effort.
Battersea is an architectural treasure for a number of different reasons. It is simply not just another old house around petersburg. With the formation of the foundation, little steps like this dig is only the start.
To the poster “Petersburg”:
First of all, there are reenactors out at Battersea each year and then there are people who dress up in period clothing and perhaps give tours of the house, etc. The true reenactors I have spoke with come from different States. They come self-sufficient when it comes to food, etc. It is arranged that bales of hay are put out there as well as already chopped wood for fires. The reenactors I have spoken with the past couple of years live the period. Offering them a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken would be like offering a vegetarian a burger from McDonalds. I do not recall really meeting anyone from the local Area. In the past their have been units from the Maryland, North Carolina, Richmond, the beach area, etc. This is why I found your KFC comment odd.
Mow there are people who dress up and show up for the day to give house tours, etc. Perhaps these folks are the ones who want KFC.
Except publicity, I am not too sure what else can be expected from the City with regards to the reenactment and I get a little tired of people routinely dissing the city. This is why I made the response I did.
Next Years Event?:
For the most part, the Battersea reenactment is planned by the reenactors themselves. THe city makes the property available, put out porta potties, etc. The reenactment community is the one who gets the word out to among themselves and plans what actually is going to happen. There was a poor showing of reenactors last year but the way I understand it, a new unit was in charge and communication simply didn’t get out. There were competing events during the month as well. As I said, I am not too sure how the city can be dissed about this. Speaking with the reenactors, it was an off year event. I think 2006 was the 225th Anniversary. On the reenactor side, there was good participation. It was the 225th of Yorktown as well. These guys cannot go out every weekend so they pick and choose what events they will go to.
With who I have talked to, there is no plans NOT to have the reenactment but then there are reenactors themselves, you can never tell if they would show up even if the property was made available. I would venture to say that it is in the hands of the reenactment community whether there is a reenactment or not. I did not hear any complaints about the City from the actual reenactments. A number of them love the old house and the property and love showing up. Petersburg is letting them use a truly historic property so they cna do what they love to do and that is live in the period.
Thanks for the helpful info ZoneIV.
Great information! I guess the city was dissed as it was put because of its lack of promoting this great event. When I attended this function in 2006 on a Sunday afternoon there was a noticable lack of city fathers and sisters(council) at the event. After leaving the site and deciding to venture down to Oldtown, I found out why they were not at Battersea. There was a gathering going on at the Union train station on River Street complete with good things to eat. This function however important it was took away from the event at Battersea. Myself, along with others perhaps thought that this was a City sponsored event, but I see now where we have been wrong.
Thank you ZoneIV for the enlightenment.
Hi Indigenous
There is a wreath laying ceremony that goes on around Noon time Saturday the weekend of the event. The City Council is there as well as other key city employees such as the City Manager. and dignitories from neighboring communities. It is a nice little ceremony with a canon salute and a review of troops their is done by the Mayor. This is probebly why you didn’t see them on Sunday when you came out.