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W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

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  • W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

    Saturday February 24, 2007

    W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'
    by MATTHEW UMSTEAD martinsburg@herald-mail.com

    MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A resolution adopted by both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature this week recognizes Boydville, a leafy antebellum estate in Martinsburg, as a historic farm as part of lawmakers' formal request that Berkeley and Jefferson counties be part of a national Civil War historic district.

    Sponsored by state Sens. John Unger, D-Berkeley, John Yoder, R-Jefferson, and Clark Barnes, R-Randolph, Senate Concurrent Resolution 10 formally asks the state and federal government to recognize the counties as part of the historic Shenandoah Valley and be eligible to join the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District.

    "We would hope to get in the historic district to get more tourists to come" to our Civil War sites, Yoder said Friday.

    Copies of the adopted resolution will be sent to President Bush, West Virginia's congressional delegation, Gov. Joe Manchin, and county and municipal leaders in Berkeley and Jefferson counties.

    "It would be something that would have to be done on the federal level," said Yoder, who described Civil War-related tourism as "big money."

    A 2005 study by the Civil War Preservation Trust indicated visitors to Antietam National Battlefield spent more than $10 million locally per year.

    Established by Congress in 1996, the existing national historic district comprises eight Virginia counties, and can receive money from certain federal programs to promote the region's Civil War story and protect at least 10 Civil War battlefields, according to the federal legislation.

    In addition to Boydville, the resolution notes Martinsburg's historic B&O Roundhouse, and the fact that Berkeley and Jefferson counties were not officially annexed by the State of West Virginia until 1872 upon a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court.

    Unger said Friday he felt Boydville deserved to be mentioned in the resolution. A House of Delegates amendment to change the description of the 13-acre estate off South Queen Street to "historic property" instead of "historic farm" ultimately was rejected by lawmakers after a back-and-forth exchange between the House and Senate this week.

    A voice vote in the House to adopt the resolution happened Thursday. The Senate approved the resolution on Feb. 2, according to the Legislature's Office of Reference & Information.

    Once part of a 300-acre property, Boydville now consists of a circa-1812 manor house, a law office, a barn, outbuildings and a stone fort that is believed to predate the American Revolution. It was purchased for $2.5 million by the Berkeley County Farmland Protection Board in 2005, with significant financial support coming from city leaders.

    Though not mentioned in the resolution, the manor house at Boydville was spared from being burned by direct order of President Lincoln during the Civil War.

    Get the latest breaking news, sports, entertainment and obituaries in Hagerstown, MD from Herald-Mail Media.
    Paul Calloway
    Proudest Member of the Tar Water Mess
    Proud Member of the GHTI
    Member, Civil War Preservation Trust
    Wayne #25, F&AM

  • #2
    Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

    I have to say that its about time that West Virginia starts to capatilize on its place in history. There are some real beautiful sites in the Moutain State and even more undiscovered or unknown historic locations throughout the area. Federal funding for the state itself has been a longstanding problem and is an issue that has long needed to be addressed. While recently West Virginia has made much of its "Wild and Wonderful" eco-tourism and adventure tourism linking into the Shenandoah Valley would finally bring historical tourism to the area. I am sure that many that travelled to "Rich Mountain" now realize what a great area and what great people can be found throughout the state (not to mention some Bully craftspeople). I hope that the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Historic District (and Federal support) can extend further than Boydville so that the rest of the state can benefit.



    Jared Nichols
    West Virginia University
    History Department, Class of 2003
    Jared Nichols

    Liberty Rifles
    - The French Mess

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

      I'm glad to see that the WV legislature voted to do this after rejected in a year or so ago. What was dissapoiting to me was the fact that Morgan county was not part of legislation and why the local members of the legislature did not try to have it added; as it borders Frederick co., VA, and the Valley goes through at least a portion of the county. What's also, sad is that much of WV's Civil War history is relitivley unkown, and the state itself is "Civil War Relic" so to speak, and is rich in Cvil War history so maybe now with this legislation that might change, and maybe WV will also consider doing a Cvil War Trails program like other states with the road side markers, as well.
      Robert Ambrose

      Park Ranger
      Fort Frederick State Park, Maryland
      5th Virginia Infantry Co. K

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

        Originally posted by ContinentalMorganGuard View Post
        I'm glad to see that the WV legislature voted to do this after rejected in a year or so ago. What was dissapoiting to me was the fact that Morgan county was not part of legislation and why the local members of the legislature did not try to have it added; as it borders Frederick co., VA, and the Valley goes through at least a portion of the county. What's also, sad is that much of WV's Civil War history is relitivley unkown, and the state itself is "Civil War Relic" so to speak, and is rich in Cvil War history so maybe now with this legislation that might change, and maybe WV will also consider doing a Cvil War Trails program like other states with the road side markers, as well.
        I couldn't agree with you more, while this "backwords" sterotype of West Virginia has been prevelant for a long time, it is a fairly well cultured area with alot of history. Much could also be made of the F & I and Revolutionary History of the state, but very little is. Since there is so much of the state that has remained "as it was" I am suprised we as a living history community have not done more to promote "authentic" events within the state. Correct me if I am wrong, but Rich Mountain is the only "authentic event" in the entire state outside of Harper's Ferry oriented events. If thats not the case I hope more people take advantage of the rest of the state and help bolster the economy.

        I think the trails program would be the next logical step...mabye some more Federal involvement..or at least oversight.
        Jared Nichols

        Liberty Rifles
        - The French Mess

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

          Originally posted by ContinentalMorganGuard View Post
          I'm glad to see that the WV legislature voted to do this after rejected in a year or so ago. What was dissapoiting to me was the fact that Morgan county was not part of legislation and why the local members of the legislature did not try to have it added; as it borders Frederick co., VA, and the Valley goes through at least a portion of the county. What's also, sad is that much of WV's Civil War history is relitivley unkown, and the state itself is "Civil War Relic" so to speak, and is rich in Cvil War history so maybe now with this legislation that might change, and maybe WV will also consider doing a Cvil War Trails program like other states with the road side markers, as well.
          I couldn't agree with you more, while this "backwords" sterotype of West Virginia has been prevelant for a long time, it is a fairly well cultured area with alot of history. Much could also be made of the F & I and Revolutionary History of the state, but very little is. Since there is so much of the state that has remained "as it was" I am suprised we as a living history community have not done more to promote "authentic" events within the state. Correct me if I am wrong, but Rich Mountain is the only "authentic event" in the entire state outside of Harper's Ferry oriented events. If thats not the case I hope more people take advantage of the rest of the state and help bolster the economy.

          I think the trails program would be the next logical step...mabye some more Federal involvement..or at least oversight would do the trick
          Jared Nichols

          Liberty Rifles
          - The French Mess

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

            Hear Hear! As a native of WVA, and long time supporter of events and LH programs (even the farby ones) in the mountain state, I agree it is about time to see such a bill. I have long argued and advocated for WV's role in CW history to realize better recognition and support - at most events in WV, living historians can participate in scenarios on original turf, and there are countless small villages and towns with original buildings - quite a motif for period moments. Most will one day perish without the living history communities support - let us hope for better times coming to WV soon -
            Regards,
            Dr Phil
            Last edited by pbhatfield; 02-25-2007, 08:50 PM. Reason: error
            Phil Hatfield

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

              Let's hope this is a step towards better recognition and marking of campaigns in WV, as they have been more actively doing in Va. The whole McClellan campaign is just waiting for the money and people to step up. Same for all the Huttonsville/ Cheat Mt./ Allegheny Mt., Sewell Mt. areas, they're just there waiting to be adequately interpreted. The previous poster had it right, most of the WV historical areas have barely changed at all since the war, and if they have, it's just because they're overgrown and not as cleared as they once had been.

              It is a good step to see the delegate from Randolph County support that motion. Doubtless he has been somewhat influenced by the tireless efforts of Chelley Depp and all the Rich Mt. committee folk who are restoring an entire town, Beverly, to it's CW character! It makes this West Virginian proud!

              Neil Randolph
              1st WV

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

                Yeah you're right. I live right in the middle of the Eastern Panhandle and its chalk full of Civil War related sites that are just waiting for money and someone to care, the scary thing about this part of the state its growing as the rest shrinks (people moving away because of lack of jobs) and a lot of history is poised for the bull dozer, like the Falling Waters Battlefield. I just hope the US Legislators have enough sense to back this bill once it gets to them and help at least small portion of WV's rich Heritage. Luckily the rest of the state is not in such a crunch as it is here, but the longer we wait the more we lose.
                Robert Ambrose

                Park Ranger
                Fort Frederick State Park, Maryland
                5th Virginia Infantry Co. K

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

                  I think it has all be well said here by all the posters. Mabye we should start putting pressure on politicians, local organizations and especially CW Preservation groups to start to turn their focus onto WV. As of late the state has done a great job with the tourism trade.... whether thats rafting the Cheat River, Skiing at Shoeshoe or jumping of the New River Gorge Bridge. Tying into the already viable CW-tourism of Virginia would help immensely. Of course, and I agree, the role of WV is greatly underappreciated by the common "armchair historian"

                  the question is...why does no one else realize this? Or why is WV realizing this now? The less the U.S. is dependant on coal, the less money the state will make.... its time now to find new ways to being income to the area..eco/adventure tourism was a start

                  On a seperate note:

                  Besides the New Hampshire state motto...WV has to have at least the #2 coolest

                  "Mountaineers Are Always Free!"

                  ok, well mabye Virginia's "Sic Semper Tyrannus" is a close second
                  Jared Nichols

                  Liberty Rifles
                  - The French Mess

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

                    Originally posted by jarednichols View Post
                    Besides the New Hampshire state motto...WV has to have at least the #2 coolest

                    "Mountaineers Are Always Free!"
                    It's better in Latin: Montani semper liberi :)
                    [B]Bill Carey[/B]
                    [I]He is out of bounds now. He rejoices in man's lovely,
                    peculiar power to choose life and die—
                    when he leads his black soldiers to death,
                    he cannot bend his back. [/I] - Robet Lowell, [I]For the Union Dead[/I]

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: W.Va. resolution recognizes Boydville as 'historic farm'

                      Originally posted by Bivouac_of_the_Dead View Post
                      It's better in Latin: Montani semper liberi :)
                      Isn't it always better in Latin?
                      Jared Nichols

                      Liberty Rifles
                      - The French Mess

                      Comment

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