A Unique Opportunity: A Lasting Legacy Recommendations for Stafford County’s 350 th Anniversary

What about the 300 th Anniversary?

Tricentennial Plate with history? “……Stafford was home to many illustrious early American citizens: George Washington, James Madison, James Monroe, John Marshall, John Paul Jones, the Lees, the Mercers, Alexander Spotswood, John Sevier, Fielding Lewis, and George Rogers Clark.” Work with Stafford County Historical Society

We know so much more history now, both National and Local, that we must share it with Staffordians and the nation We know so much more history now, both National and Local, that we must share it with Staffordians and the nation. Prehistory/ DinosaursNative Americans /PocahontasCapt. John Smith Brents & Religious Freedom George Washington George Mason Colonial Times Revolutionary Times – Hunter’s Iron Works Quarrying Stone Civil War Modern Times Langley Famous Artists Bill of Rights born here!

Parties are exciting, but there is nothing left afterwards.

VISION…… Create a Lasting Legacy through the wise use of money and resources promoting community pride, tourism, and economic development.

A Foundation for Success already in place: County owns Government Island, Aquia Landing, Stafford County Civil War Park site Cooperating sites and organizations: Chatham (NPS), Ferry Farm (GWF), Belmont (UMW) Aquia Church and other historic churches Cooperating private sites: Moncure Conway House, Tom Mountz’ Redoubt/Fort, White Oak Civil War Museum

We evaluated options gave values for: Legacy Tourism Education Civic Pride/ Patriotism Financials “Doability” We’re recommending the following courses of action…

3 COURSES OF ACTIONS: 1. Complete “drawing board” projects 2. Create Visitors Center at Aquia Landing 3. Create movies and place kiosks at historic sites

What are “drawing board” projects to be completed by 2014? There are six, but the most important is……

The Hub of the Wheel The Hub of the Wheel Stafford Public Safety Building Stafford Museum and Stafford Museum and Visitors’ Center Course of Action 1a Hub of the Wheel

Stafford Civil War Park Stafford Civil War Park Put Stafford on the National Civil War Map Tom Mountz’ Redoubt/ Fort Course of Action 1b

Patawomack Indian Village at Crow’s Nest Course of Action 1c

Wayfinding & Other Signs Branding Stafford County Branding Stafford County Course of Action 1d

Replicate George Washington’s George Washington’s Boyhood Home Boyhood Home Course of Action 1e

Open for Tours and School Groups Course of Action 1f Aquia Church

The Previous “drawing board” projects will promote Heritage Tourism and Leave a Lasting Legacy 132,000 Staffordians 30,000 families 1 you + 1friend + 1 relative = 90,000 – 300,000 potential tourists

Create a Visitors’ Center at Aquia Landing It will enrich the 350 th celebration and take tourism to a new level. 2 nd Course of Action

Aquia Landing: A Witness to History Site for Visitors’ Center Time Capsule of our Nation’s History

Captain John Smith explores Aquia Creek and documents Patawomeck Indians 1608

Later, his sister, Margaret Brent, arrives. She is America’s first woman attorney. Freedom of Religion First in Virginia 1647 The Brents: 1647 The Brents: Stafford’s First English Settlers arrive Stafford’s First English Settlers arrive Col. Giles Brent and his Indian Princess wife arrive at what is now called Brent’s Point in Widewater.

Gunston Hall Christ Church Pohick Church Brent’s Island George Washington L’Enfant

Stone for White House and Capitol passes Aquia Landing

1817 President and Dolley Madison leave White House and travel to Aquia Landing Daily Steamship Runs between D.C. and Aquia Landing

1842 RF&P Railroad Arrives Before steamer + railroad it took 38 hours to travel from D.C. to Richmond. Now it just took 9 hours!!! +

First Civil War Naval Ship – Shore Engagement at Aquia Landing: Begins Potomac Blockade

First Use of Naval Mines

Gateway to Freedom

Aquia Becomes a Busy Landing Aquia Landing

Lincoln Arrives at Aquia Landing Visits Stafford 6 times for a Total of 14 Days! Lincoln Arrives at Aquia Landing Visits Stafford 6 times for a Total of 14 Days! Aquia Landing Andrew Jackson Martin Van Buren William Henry Harrison John Tyler James K. Polk Zachary Taylor Millard Filmore Andrew Johnson Brent’s Point/ Cedar Lodge William McKinley

One of the many buildings Quartermaster’s Office One of the many buildings Quartermaster’s Office

Supplies arrive at Aquia Landing

New Visitors’ Center Provost Marshal’s Office Aquia Landing

Create film to show at Stafford’s Museum Place kiosks or wall mounted monitors at Museum, Aquia Church, all historic sites Third Course of Action

PROJECT ANALYSIS

Three Courses of Action Leaving Lasting Legacies for the 350th Possibilities are Endless…. 1. Complete “drawing 2. Construct Visitor’s 3. Create movies, board” projects Center at Aquia Landing place kiosks at historic sites museum

How can we pay for these legacies? Use appropriated funds Redirect regional tourism money Stakeholders contribute for specific projects/exhibits Grants Private fundraising /gifts in kind Special “Stafford” sales (e.g., art show) Volunteer support Benefit from existing, annual events Combine “celebration” events with “lasting legacy” openings

RECOMMEND Blue Ribbon Committee adopts this proposal as a basis for future work and recommends approval by Board of Supervisors.