The RELee Associates Fall Luncheon was again hosted at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA by Dresda Mullings, the Lee Boyhood Home Museum's former Research Associate. The decor included small American flags at each place in recognition of the tragedy on September 11.

The first speaker was Mrs. Letitia Grant, President Emeritus of the Lees of Virginia and Treasurer of the Friends of the Lee Boyhood Home, the group which sought to keep the Museum open. Mrs. Grant described the uphill struggle against enormous odds and its unfortunate, but seemingly pre-ordained outcome. She reported that such funds for the Home's purchase as were refused when offered to be returned, were distributed to the Arlington House and Lee-Fendall House museums. The diners warmly thanked Mrs. Grant and her group for their efforts on behalf of the Museum.

The principal speaker was historian Michael Miller of the Alexandria Lyceum who spoke on Alexandria in the Civil War years. He pointed out that Alexandria was the site of the War's first casualties, both North and South, and suffered the longest military occupation of any American city. Moreover, the two highest ranking officers in the Confederate Army were Alexandrians. His talk was illustrated by slides of Alexandria during the period.

Bill Seefeldt served as emcee and reported on the progress of the Lee Boyhood Home Virtual Museum, which seeks to utilize the Internet to educate the public regarding Alexandria's role in forming the character of young Robert E. Lee. The meeting was adjourned with thanks to Dresda for pulling it together and with a pledge to meet again next year.

On 19 October 2001 Ann Graham, President of the Friends of the Lee Boyhood Home, and Letitia Grant, the group's treasurer and President Emeritus of the Lee's of Virginia, visited the Local History/Special Collections Branch of the Alexandria Public Library to deposit materials related to the Lee Boyhood Home Museum. Included was the Friends' Proposal for reopening the Museum and a scrapbook containing materials related to the effort to save the Boyhood Home Museum. Pictured at left are Joyce A. McMullin, Branch Manager (left), and Mrs. Grant making the presentation.

Friends of the Lee Boyhood Home joined a large gathering at Arlington House, the site of the wedding on 30 June 1831 of Lt. Robert Edward Lee to Miss Mary Anna Randolph Custis, for this celebration. The host was Mary Mallen, Site Manager, Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial. Speakers included Audrey Calhoun, Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway; Margaret Lampe, Chair, Arlington Bicentennial Celebration Task Force; Sara Jane Knight, Arlington County, Virginia Public Schools; Dr. Talmadge Williams, President, Black Heritage Museum of Arlington; Ann Graham, President, Friends of The Lee Boyhood Home Museum; Letitia Grant, President, Emeritus Society of The Lees of Virginia (and Treasurer of the "Friends"); and Gerald Laporte, President Arlington Historical Society.

Mrs. Graham spoke on the theme of vigilance in preserving our historic buildings. The loss of The Lee Boyhood Home Museum was an example of the lack of such vigilance. The contribution of funds, raised in its belated defense, to Arlington House was in recognition of the need not to let this happen again. Mrs. Graham concluded that if the efforts of the Friends of the Lee Boyhood Home Museum did no more than prevent another such tragedy, they would not have been in vain.

Mrs. Grant, on behalf of the Lees of Virginia, presented their check for Arlington House preservation. A tour of the House and its newly opened Slave Quarters showed many places where such private contributions could be used to augment National Park Service appropriations. -WJS

Note: Arlington House has embarked on an effort to raise $175,000 in private contributions for the Arlington Bicentennial in 2002. Donations for the Arlington House "Save America's Treasures Program Grant" project to restore the Arlington House Slave Quarters should be made payable to the "National Park Foundation." In the check memo section write "Arlington House Restoration." Mail checks directly to the National Park Foundation at: 1101 17th St. NW, Suite 1102, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Go to: Related Sites for link to NPS Arlington House Robert E. Lee Monument.

At its May 16 meeting, the Board of Architectural Review and the new owners of Robert E. Lee's boyhood home, reached a mutual agreement for the preservation of the front steps in the restoration process of the historic property at 607 Oronoco St.

An application for comprehensive restoration was originally approved at the BAR's May 2 meeting "with deferral for a preservation plan for the front steps." However, following a conference by representatives of the applicants and several Board members prior to the mid-May meeting it was decided that the matter would be discussed and voted upon.

At the center of the controversy is the impact of the restoration project on the south entry stoop, built of Aquia sandstone which is well known for its tendency lor instability and deterioration. Can the steps be removed, preserved and reinstated or will they crumble in the process?

Peter Smith, Department of Planning and Zoning principal staff' to BAR, pointed out, "If' the existing stones cannot be saved there, is a quarry in Ohio that produces another type of sandstone that is much harder and would, be suitable."

Board member Oscar Fitzgerald said, "I think we ought to try to save all the original stone." He was joined in that opinion by Board member Arthur Keleher, who noted, "Just because the stones are worn doesn't mean they are bad. It is part of their character."

In recommending approval of the application to move forward, the staff report stated that the restoration architect, Archetype of Washington, D.C., "has provided specifications for the project dealing with the treatment of sandstone and mortar" and these "are more than adequate to ensure" their preservation.

It was decided that prior to removal of the stones the Board would be notified enabling members to be present, along with a professional stone mason. This will enabfc all parties to assess the feasibility of retaining or replacing the original stones.

One of the options, suggested by Fitzgerald, would be to flip the stones thereby exposing a new surface to foot traffic while maintaining the original fabric, This option is contingent upon the integrity of the sandstone once it is dislodged.

Partner and architect in the Washington firm, Cy Merkeza's, stated that the date for removing the stones would be up to the contractor once one is chosen. A request for bids has been issued. "The deadline for bids is late May, early June,." Merkczas said.

"However, the contractor may decide not to do the steps until the end of the project which would be about a year after cominencemnent," he said. "The overall timetable is usually negotiatcd with the contractor."

Historic The house at 607.Oronoco was built in 1795 and is known historically as the Potts-Fitzhugh House. It is joined on the west by its twin at 609 Oronoco. Together, they form one of the most distinctive late 18th century architectural ensembles in Alexandria.

Mark and Ann Kington acquired the house from the Lee-Jackson Foundation 14 months ago for $2.5 million. The Foundation, which had operated it as a museum for 30 years, was unable to afford the extensive restoration necessary to preserve it.

The day after the BAR public hearing, Virginia Attorney General Mark L. Earley (R), approved the private restoration in a letter to the Kingtons' attorney. The attorney general is charged under the common law of Virginia with representing the public interest in trust assets of this nature.

The Kingtons have indicated that they are willing to open the house occasionally t'or specific events even though it will be a private residence. In reacting to the BAR's vote of 7-0 to move ahead, Mark Kington said, "I am ery happy to see that we have come to a mutually agreeable solution because this is truly it labor of love on our part."

Ann Graham, Chair of the Friends of the Lee Boyhood Home Museum, the organization which attempted to buy the Home and preserve the Museum, reports as follows:

"On Saturday evening, March 31st, at the annual state convention in Richmond of the Virginia Society of the Military Order of Stars and Bars, our organization was awarded a plaque to "The Friends of Lee's Boyhood Home." It's the Edmund Ruffin Award presented for the promotion of Southern heritage, and the presenter had some extremely gracious and kind things to say about what we did and why we did it. The fact that the outcome was less than we hoped didn't deter them from writing a generous justification for this award that gave us the credit for standing up for what we believed in."

This is a new award and the first time it has ever been presented. It will be awarded in the future to individuals/groups outside the MOS&B who demonstrate their exemplary dedication to Southern history and preservation. The MOS&B organization is an outgrowth of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Its membership consists of descendants of Confederate officers.

The award is a 9" x 12" brass plaque with black letters on a dark wooden base and the MOS&B emblem at the top. It has been proposed that the plaque be preserved by the Lee Society along with the other Friends of the Lee Boyhood Home Museum records and memorabilia.

The Lee Boyhood Home House Bill 2165 has passed the Virginia House and Senate and has gone to the governor for signing. I was the chief sponsor of this legislation which was part of the City of Alexandria's legislative package responding to last year's surprise sale of the former house museum for private use.

The purpose of the legislation is to protect the public's interest in property owned by a charitable or civic organization or museum that is designated as historic under a local zoning ordinance, and is operated as a historic attraction open to the public more than 100 days a year.

Before such property can be sold, according to the bill, notice must be given to the chief administrative officer of the locality where the property is located, and also to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and to the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth. The notification of intention to sell must be given at least 90 days prior to the public offering, or prior to the acceptance of a purchase offer if no public offering has been made.

Interestingly, if the foundation which owned the Lee Boyhood Home had received a grant for renovation from the state, it would have had to remain open to the public under prior law. Over the years I have gotten such matching grants for just about every other public historic building in Alexandria, but never received a request from the Lee Boyhood Home ... despite its need for restoration [emphasis supplied]. (In this year's House version of the budget, I got $25,000 for the Lloyd House and $25,000 for the Lee-Fendall House.) City staff historian Pat Butler and the state Department of Historic Resources helped develop this legislation which had to be carefully crafted to protect private property rights while also protecting the public's interest.

The Friends of the Lee Boyhood Home Museum had a final meeting at the home of Tish and Will Grant in Washington, D.C. A Lee descendant, Tish's home provided many reminders of Robert E. Lee. The Board with only two exceptions attended along with many of those who so earnestly worked against great odds to preserve the Lee Boyhood Home Museum.

The Friends treasurer, Tish, reported that all the contributed money had been returned where so requested or given to related Lee institutions. Eight thousand dollars were given to each of the Lee-Fendall House Museum and an Arlington House discretionary fund. The Arlington House National Park Service site director, Mary Mallen, was there to accept her check and discuss how such private contributions were used to enhance Robert E. Lee's Arlington home for the visiting public.

The Board Chair, Ann Graham, presented awards to several attendees for special service in the fight to save the Museum. Cited were: Grace Hogan, Jim Kennedy and Muriel Worsley. Members of the Board were recognized with memorabilia provided by Lee descendant, Barbara Kennedy. Robert Montague closed the meeting by reporting on efforts to secure historic easements through the cooperation of the Home's new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Kington.

The AAA Mid-Atlantic Tourbook (valid through 2/2000), p. 104-108 described the Points of Interest in Alexandria. Among the many entries only the Boyhood Home of Robert E. Lee, Christ Church, Old Presbyterian Meeting House-and farther afield Gunston Hall and Mount Vemon-were starred. The tour book explained, "When you see a (red star) before an attraction its a must see!" Now, one of those attractions, the Lee Boyhood Home Museum, is closed. Alexandrians, in particular, should be asking why.

There is a widely accepted belief that the Museum was closed because Charlottesville's Lee-Jackson Foundation could not afford to maintain it, and that the building' although not the Museum, was saved by a local "white knight" who came to the rescue with the $2.5 million purchase price.

This account does not seem to be in accord with the tax exempt Foundation's submissions to the IRS. The Form 990 submissions for the FY1997 and FY1998 (ending 31 March 1999), the latest publicly available on the Internet, show that in FY1998 the Foundation had investments totaling $787,961, an amount far greater than needed to meet the Home's most urgent repair needs. Why, then, was the Home allowed to deteriorate? Why was nothing done then?

During that two-year period, the Foundation spent $36,667 for repair of Civil War statues, $87,000 on a scholarship program and $15,981 on scholarship award expenses. Not only was the roof not repaired, but nothing was spent on fund raising. Despite this, contributions were received totaling $90,890.

It is hard to see, from this evidence, how the Foundation planned to continue to operate the Boyhood Home Museum. Did the contributors know of the Foundation's plans? Certainly those of us volunteering at the Museum knew nothing of them. There was no public announcement that the Home was for sale until we were told on March 3 that it was closed.

The time is long past when the press and the public should demand that the Lee-Jackson Foundation trustees account for their part in closing Alexandria's Lee Boyhood Home Museum.
-William J. Seefeldt, Jr.

The RELee Associates, a new group dedicated to keeping alive the teaching spirit of the Lee Boyhood Home Museum until such time as the Museum itself is restored, inaugurated its luncheon programs on Saturday 14 October 2000 at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA.

Douglas Stuart was the speaker. He gave a most enjoyable and informative lecture comparing the military careers of George Washington and R.E. Lee.

The business meeting focused on organizing the new group. It was agreed to continue the luncheons and expand into other activities as the need arose. As a membership organization, the annual dues were set at twenty-five dollars. The current status of efforts to save the Museum were discussed and roundly applauded.

A number of audience members were singled out with awards for service to the Lee Boyhood Home Museum. All persons interested in keeping alive the spirit of the Lee Boyhood Home Museum are invited to join.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has decided that the home in Old Town Alexandria where Robert E. Lee spent his formative years will not reopen as a museum after renovations.

In rejecting the bids from Friends of the Lee Boyhood Home and the Confederate Memorial Association to open the 205-year-old house to the public, the NTHP put the fate of the house back in the hands of its current owners - Mark and Ann Kington.

"We looked at the best interest of what was needed for the long-term condition of the house," said Richard Moe, president of the NTHP "We want it to be around a long time so it can be enjoyed by ... future generations."

Mr. Moe said only the Kingtons are able to invest the $2 million needed to repair the place where the Confederate general once called home.

The Kingtons purchased the house for $2.5 million from the fledgling Charlottesville-based Lee-Jackson Foundation, which had trouble keeping up the house over the years. Preservationists and historians decried the sale, so the Kingtons agreed to offer the house for sale to anyone who could buy and maintain it. But the NHTP was asked to review any bids first, and determine their viability.

The five-member committee's decision means, however, that the house no longer will remain open to the public once renovations are complete in 2002. Instead, Mr. Moe said its doors will be open to the public only on dates chosen by the Kingtons.

"There are trade-offs here, but the most important thing was to bring financial assistance to the site," Mr. Moe said.

Mr, Kington, a venture capitalist, said he understands the public's wishes to keep the house open.

"I Just don't think you go through a process like this without wanting to share it," said Mr, Kington, who noted that he and his wife are planning to open the house during Virginia's garden week and on Lee's birthday.

"When you look at the 17 different families that have lived in this house, they all have had close ties to Alexandria and historic preservation is something that's very dear to us," he said.

The state's attorney general, Mark Earley, a Republican, had tried to keep the house in the public domain.

"Our office will review the most recent development and consider what is in the best interest of the public," said David Botkins, Mr. Earley's spokesman.

In assuring the public they are serious about restoring the house, the Kingtons have put preservation easements on the property, which both Mr. Kington and Mr. Moe said will protect the house "in, perpetuity."

"The house when we acquired it had no easements on it," Mr. Kington said.

Once the house has been fully rehabilitated, the Kingtons will furnish it with 18th- and 19th century decor, including many antiques, to give the house an authentic touch, said Mr. Kington.