See it now before it is closed

[Gary of CA]

Re: See it now before it is closed

All the times I've visited Virginia, I never knew of that place. Perhaps the Museum of the Confederacy can move there? That would be a good two-fer.

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: See it now before it is closed

10/13/2007
More News
BY T. DEVON ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER

In 1978, a commemorative representation of Flowerdew Hundred's 17th-century windmill was built. It was recently restored.
PRINCE GEORGE - After 388 years as a home and a museum, Flowerdew Hundred closed its doors to the public yesterday. What will happen to the grounds and the museum is still unclear.


"It's a tragic loss of a terribly important part of our history," said Joe Leming, chairman of the Prince George Board of Supervisors.

Flowerdew Hundred, which was once the home of the Prince George County Heritage Fair, announced its closure over the summer and has not disclosed any details as to why the museum has closed.

Karen Shriver, curator and spokesperson of the Flowerdew Hundred Foundation declined to comment on the closure and requested that no members of the media come to the museum on the final day.

The land that would become Flowerdew Hundred was claimed by the Virginia Company of London. In 1619, the Virginia Company ceded the initial 1,000 acres to Gov. George Yeardly. He named the land Flowerdew Hundred in honor of his wife Temperance Flowerdew.

Over time, Flowerdew Hundred changed hands several times and subdivision of property shrank the size of the Flowerdew tract, the largest of which was owned by the Poythress family.

By the 1850s, the original 1,000 acres of Flowerdew Hundred, plus an additional 400 acres, were reincorporated into Flowerdew Hundred.

Around 1970, David Harrison III and his wife, Mary, purchased the property and, under their ownership, Flowerdew Hundred became the site of archeological digs and a history museum.

In 1978, a commemorative representation of the 17th-century windmill was built on the property. It was recently restored.

Along with the windmill, several replicated structures are on the site, including a detached kitchen, and visitors could have viewed the spot where General Ulysses S. Grant's pontoon crossing of the James River ended in 1864.

In 2001, the Flowerdew Hundred Museum underwent upgrades and remodeling. The museum itself was located in a 19th-centurey school house that was built for the Wilcox family.

During its time as a museum. Flowerdew Hundred amassed more than 200,000 artifacts, which include items from prehistoric eras.

It is unclear what will happen to the artifacts. Leming hopes that at least some of them will remain in the county.

"I'd like to see all of the artifacts in Prince George County but at least the Prince George artifacts," he said.

. T. DeVon Robinson may be reached at 722-5160 or at trobinson@progress-index.com.

ŠThe Progress-Index 2007

Online at: http://www.progress-index.com/site/n...d=462946&rfi=6