Tweet
05/13/2007
More News
BY PAT KILE
STAFF WRITER
Violet Bank Museum, with its famous cucumber tree, is an image inseparable from the city of Colonial Heights. Tourists come from far and near to see the unique setting. On a fine day, the wide lawn may be used for a game of catch by neighborhood children or an occasional wedding reception or other festive occasion.
The museum has stood witness to the history of the nation. “There are other historic sites in the city, but few houses in the country have the historical significance of this house,” according to museum curator Russell Woodburn. A sign identifies Violet Bank as Gen. Robert E. Lee’s headquarters in 1864 and Lafayette’s headquarters in 1781.
Senior citizens may recall when Violet Bank was the Colonial Heights Library. “When I came here, I knew it was a lifetime career decision,” Woodburn recalled. “A lot of people said it would be impossible to get to where we’ve gotten today,” he said. “We’ve gotten the museum to the point where we’re entering the accreditation program for the American Association of Museums.
“When I came here, it was the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest,” Woodburn said.
The museum is of great architectural significance, he explained. “It is a rare example of its kind, an example of the Federal period of American interior decorative arts.”
Much has been done, but with a building of such age and wealth of history, there is very much an ongoing process of renovation and improvement. “It’s still an active, ongoing restoration,” Woodburn said. “We’re mounting a chronological exhibition of the house,” and the first of four Civil War Trail signs will be at Violet Bank, he added.
Last year, a grant from the Cameron Foundation enabled the museum to put in a fire suppressant system that uses a fine powder, rather than water, which would destroy artifacts.
Woodburn is excited about continuing the improvements and the preservation of Violet Bank. “The city is paying attention to this end of the city,” he said. “There is money being used for infrastructure.” The imminent expansion of Fort Lee, he thinks, will further enhance the Violet Bank area, as families move in, in search of real estate bargains.
“There’s always an ebb and flow, a cyclical aspect, to neighborhoods,” he thinks. Nearby properties are available for rent or for sale as homes that can be a part of Colonial Heights historic preservation.
Improvements to the area will continue, according to former Mayor J. Chris Kollman III, who heads the Colonial Heights Foundation. Already the median strip on Arlington Avenue, leading to the front door of Violet Bank, is filled with new shrubs and ablaze with daffodils (700 of them, all planted by hand, Kollman added). More improvements are in the works, with plans to fill the median with red, white and blue “Jamestown colors” for the 2007 celebration of the founding of Jamestown.
The beautification committee, headed by JoAn Jones, will soon be at work on the Victory Garden that welcomes people to the city from the south and leads into the Violet Bank area.
There has even been an effort to replicate the cucumber tree. Last year, then-Mayor and Mrs. Kollman donated another cucumber magnolia to the city, this one planted at the public library.
Both Woodburn, as museum curator, and Kollman, as head of the foundation, look forward to more exciting news from Violet Bank.
Only the outside of Violet Bank can be used for receptions and other activities. While it is possible to get married on the lawn, there are certain requirements to be followed because of the historic nature of Violet Bank. Activities indoors are not permitted.
There is no charge for using the lawn area, but donations are appreciated, Woodburn, the museum curator, said. There are no restrictions, except that the area must be left clean. No high heels may be worn on the porch of the structure, and no tape or staples may be used to decorate. (Pipe cleaners or ribbon ties work fine.)
With the museum open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Sunday (1 to 6 p.m. only) and Monday, when it is closed, there may be tourists visiting, as well, Woodburn said. The museum doesn’t close for a wedding or reception, he explained.
[I snipped the quiz that was attached with this article.-Emmanuel]
Online at: http://www.progress-index.com/site/n...d=462946&rfi=6
More News
BY PAT KILE
STAFF WRITER
Violet Bank Museum, with its famous cucumber tree, is an image inseparable from the city of Colonial Heights. Tourists come from far and near to see the unique setting. On a fine day, the wide lawn may be used for a game of catch by neighborhood children or an occasional wedding reception or other festive occasion.
The museum has stood witness to the history of the nation. “There are other historic sites in the city, but few houses in the country have the historical significance of this house,” according to museum curator Russell Woodburn. A sign identifies Violet Bank as Gen. Robert E. Lee’s headquarters in 1864 and Lafayette’s headquarters in 1781.
Senior citizens may recall when Violet Bank was the Colonial Heights Library. “When I came here, I knew it was a lifetime career decision,” Woodburn recalled. “A lot of people said it would be impossible to get to where we’ve gotten today,” he said. “We’ve gotten the museum to the point where we’re entering the accreditation program for the American Association of Museums.
“When I came here, it was the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest,” Woodburn said.
The museum is of great architectural significance, he explained. “It is a rare example of its kind, an example of the Federal period of American interior decorative arts.”
Much has been done, but with a building of such age and wealth of history, there is very much an ongoing process of renovation and improvement. “It’s still an active, ongoing restoration,” Woodburn said. “We’re mounting a chronological exhibition of the house,” and the first of four Civil War Trail signs will be at Violet Bank, he added.
Last year, a grant from the Cameron Foundation enabled the museum to put in a fire suppressant system that uses a fine powder, rather than water, which would destroy artifacts.
Woodburn is excited about continuing the improvements and the preservation of Violet Bank. “The city is paying attention to this end of the city,” he said. “There is money being used for infrastructure.” The imminent expansion of Fort Lee, he thinks, will further enhance the Violet Bank area, as families move in, in search of real estate bargains.
“There’s always an ebb and flow, a cyclical aspect, to neighborhoods,” he thinks. Nearby properties are available for rent or for sale as homes that can be a part of Colonial Heights historic preservation.
Improvements to the area will continue, according to former Mayor J. Chris Kollman III, who heads the Colonial Heights Foundation. Already the median strip on Arlington Avenue, leading to the front door of Violet Bank, is filled with new shrubs and ablaze with daffodils (700 of them, all planted by hand, Kollman added). More improvements are in the works, with plans to fill the median with red, white and blue “Jamestown colors” for the 2007 celebration of the founding of Jamestown.
The beautification committee, headed by JoAn Jones, will soon be at work on the Victory Garden that welcomes people to the city from the south and leads into the Violet Bank area.
There has even been an effort to replicate the cucumber tree. Last year, then-Mayor and Mrs. Kollman donated another cucumber magnolia to the city, this one planted at the public library.
Both Woodburn, as museum curator, and Kollman, as head of the foundation, look forward to more exciting news from Violet Bank.
Only the outside of Violet Bank can be used for receptions and other activities. While it is possible to get married on the lawn, there are certain requirements to be followed because of the historic nature of Violet Bank. Activities indoors are not permitted.
There is no charge for using the lawn area, but donations are appreciated, Woodburn, the museum curator, said. There are no restrictions, except that the area must be left clean. No high heels may be worn on the porch of the structure, and no tape or staples may be used to decorate. (Pipe cleaners or ribbon ties work fine.)
With the museum open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Sunday (1 to 6 p.m. only) and Monday, when it is closed, there may be tourists visiting, as well, Woodburn said. The museum doesn’t close for a wedding or reception, he explained.
[I snipped the quiz that was attached with this article.-Emmanuel]
Online at: http://www.progress-index.com/site/n...d=462946&rfi=6