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Rained on Saturday but had a beautiful Sunday for the 147th Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Natural Bridge.
Work repairing the mortar joints on the Natural Bridge Battlefield monument have been completed. The eagle atop the monument has been temporarily removed and is being restored by the State.
Please welcome our new directors Ed Buist and Drew Bell to the NBHS Board of Directors.
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August 2011
NBHS, Inc. Summer Board of Directors Meeting & cook-out Saturday, August 20, 2011 10 a.m. to whenever A brief meeting of the Board of Directors will begin at 10:00 A.M. with lunch to follow. The Board will review the status of on-going projects involving: concrete repairs to the monument, restoration of the eagle, and installation of an iron fence; recent expansion of the park grounds and plans for the future interpretation of park; installation of the wheelchair lift purchased by the NBHS in November 2010; nomination of Directors for consideration of the members at the March, 2012 annual meeting; and other business as necessary. Members are welcome to attend and provide input to the Board. Following the meeting we will cook hamburgers and enjoy FELLOWSHIP. |
This just in...May 2011
Tuesday May 17, 2011 – Today the Governor and Cabinet approved the purchase of a 55-acre addition to the Natural Bridge Battlefield State Park. The purchase of the Gerrell Plantation represents another important step toward protecting the second largest Civil War battle in Florida. The Gerrell property lies on the eastern edge of the battlefield and was used as an approach and retreat route by the Union 2nd and 99th USCT regiments. Buzz Gifford and Bob Trapp of the NBHS.Inc. attended the meeting of the Cabinet Aides to answer questions and support the acquisition. The Civil War Trust (CWT) also fully supports the purchase and has offered to pay up to $20,000 of the closing costs for the property.
AND IN OTHER NEWS FOR THE DAY.
The Museum of Florida History presents
Emancipation Day Celebration at The Knott House Museum
Corner of Park Avenue and Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, Florida
Friday, May 20, 2011
For more information about the day’s events: 850.922.2459
Portions of the total program include,
Friday, May 20
10:45 a.m. Riley House Museum Civil War Grave Decorating Commemorative Service at the
Old City Cemetery on M. L. King Street between Park Avenue and Call Street.
Reservations are not required.
Sunday, May 22
12:30—4:30 p.m. Tallahassee Museum Bellevue Plantation; tour the exhibit, The Plantation
Communities. Request free admission as part of Emancipation Week festivities.
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August 2010
SUMMER MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes from a Park Planning meeting were handed out. The minutes describe “next steps” toward developing an interpretive plan for the park. The Rakestraw House has been determined to be a useful structure in the interim to house educational programs that can be run by park staff or volunteers. In accordance with recommendations made by ESI, the archaeological consultant, in their report, operating the battle reenactment once a year will not disturb the cultural landscape enough to warrant changing it. The group agreed that moving the battle reenactment to the open field on the Rakestraw property will help provide better viewing to all of the visitors as well as resolving circulation and vehicular conflicts along Natural Bridge Road. As part of the next steps, Park Planning will organize an on-site meeting with park staff, district staff, and interpretive staff to help determine points of interest for guided tours, to include both the historic aspects of the battle as well as geological karst features. Park planning will help to participate in the discussion between interpretive staff and the CSO to begin to develop an interpretive plan for the park. The CSO was asked to provide an Advisory Board Member to provide input. Park Budget: The budget for Natural Bridge is $10,000 for expense items only. No capital improvements planned. Also no matching grant funds are available for from the State for the remainder of fiscal year 2010/11. Program updates to the FPS Historic Weapons Firing Safety Training (HWFST) Program were handed out. A September 14, 2006 report on Karst Hydrogeologic Characterization of the Natural Bridge Civil War Battlefield on the Rakestraw Property, Leon County Florida was handed out. A memo from Barbara Hines of the Florida Public Archaeology Network was handed out. Their main goals are to conduct public outreach, provide assistance to local governments and support the Florida Division of Historical Resources. The CSO Board requested that a “usage” log be created to document use of the Rakestraw House. It was suggested that groups using the house should do a better job cleaning up afterwards.
Short Term Projects - The Board agreed in concept on the following short term projects pending additional information before committing any funds: Barry Burch requested the CSO fund the construction of a wooden ramp in the garage of the Rakestraw house to provide wheelchair access. Concerns were expressed about how a wooden ramp would fit - how much room would it take up, what material would be used, how would it be designed, etc. Also will the door frame have to be widened, how will that be done, and at what additional cost. Basically, the CSO wants assurance that whatever is built will be a permanent fix, not something temporary that will have to be redone and that it will not unduly interfere with the use of the garage for other purposes. Discussion then turned to purchasing and installing an electric lift that would take up less space. The Board conceptually authorized expending funds to address the handicapped access problem but before funds are committed, the Park Service will provide (1) a more detail line drawing of the proposed wood ramp showing its placement relative to all the doors and walls,(2) a list of materials needed for the job,(3) a more complete price estimate,and (4) certification by Park Service in-house ADA specialists that the proposed project meets all ADA requirements for such a structure. Also, the CSO will seperately explore the cost and feasibility of an electric lift in lieu of a wood ramp. Barry Burch also requested CSO funding of a post-and-chain safety barrier to be installed around the UDC stone monument. The purpose of the chain would be to keep people from climbing on the monument. The Board strongly recommended that the ladies of the UDC be consulted on this proposal. The original monument was constructed by the UDC and is the focal point of their annual pilgrimage. The CSO feels it is vitally important that we have their support and approval for this project before going forward. Barry Burch and Steven Sanford stated that they would contact the UDC about the project. Mark Rominger also volunteered to speak to the UDC if needed. Other concerns that need to be addressed are: (1) public acceptance - the final result must be aesthetically pleasing using materials that do not take away from the existing monument, and (2)to the extent possible, the final structure should be maintenance free. The preliminary estimate provided at the meeting appears to propose using plain galvanized fence posts and chain. This is not acceptable. At minimum the posts and chain should be anodized black and have appropriate end caps that are attractive. Further we need to see a layout of the design to ensure that placement of the posts and chain do not interfere with the viewing of either the main UDC monument or the NBHS monument that was installed in 2000. In addition to the proposed chain barrier, it was agreed that signs instructing the public to keep off the monument would be installed and that Park Service personnel would actively enforce the requirement. For some time, the CSO has sought permission to install a small kiosk/bulletin board in front of the bathrooms at the park to be used to provide informatio during the annual reenactment (schedule of events, site map, etc.) and historical and educational material during the rest of the year. The Board approved an expenditure of up to $500 for the installation of a small kiosk. Barry Burch will provide current Park Service approved design specifications.
Maintenance of the UDC Monument - The Board expressed concern about degradation to the monument due to the effects of weather. Since the inception of the CSO over 11 years ago, numerous openings in the mortar have been observed which are getting worst. However, no action has been taken to date. Barry Burch stated that maintenance of the monument is included in the current unit management plan. Preliminary estimates by the Park Service are that as much as $25,000 will be needed. However, there are no funds committed in the 2010/2011 budget and the 2011/2012 budget year is also expected to be Spartan. The Board voted to explore the availability of state or national grants to assist with the funding of such maintenance. Buzz Gifford and Bob Trapp will work with Carmen McDonald and report their progress at the March, 2011 meeting. Interpretive Trails and Signage - As mentioned above, the CSO will participate with Park Planning and interpretive staff to develop an interpretive plan for the park to include a self-guided walking tour with interpretive signage. A preliminary route map was presented for discussion that would feature a foot bridge linking the Federal and Confederate lines on either side of the open field on the Rakestraw property.
Membership in Other Non-Profit Societies - Mark Rominger recommended and the Board approved that the CSO become a member of the Tallahassee Historic Society. The Board also voted to renew our membership the the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT). |
May 2010
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President Mark Rominger and Vice President Buzz Gifford holding Stewards of Heritage Preservation Award presented to the NBHS,Inc. on May 7, 2010 by the Florida Archaeological Society. |
August 2009
September 10 Meeting of the NBHS Board of Directors A meeting of the Board of Directors has been scheduled for September 10, 2009 starting at 6:00 P.M. at the Rakestraw House located at the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park. The Agenda for the meeting is as follows: 1. Opening Remarks (Mark Rominger, President) 2. Approval of Minutes from the July 20, 2009 Directors Meeting (Bob Trapp, Sec./Treasurer) 3. Interpretive ideas for the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park (Heather Shuke-Nelson & Mara Dombrowski, Bureau of Operational Services, FDEP) 4. Status of DHR Phase I Archaeological Survey (Buzz Gifford, VP-Project Manager) 5. Memorandum of Understanding with the Riley House regarding mutual support. (Chris Ellrich, Public Outreach Chair) 6. Memorandum of Understanding with the Elks Club regarding food services at the 2010 Battle of Natural Bridge (Bob Trapp, Sec./Treasurer) 7. Park Service budget for the 2010 Battle of Natural Bridge (Barry Burch, Park Manager) 8. Annual State CSO Meeting (Barry Burch, Park Manager) 9. Treasurer’s Report - CSO Insurance & Financial Planning (Bob Trapp, Sec./Treasurer) 10. Nomination of Directors for consideration of the members at the 2010 Battle of Natural Bridge (Mark Rominger, President) 11. Other Business (As time permits) |
June 2009
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The Natural Bridge Historical Society,Inc. was honored Saturday June 6, 2009 in Gettysburg, Pa., where it received the prestigious 2009 Brian C. Pohanka Preservation Organization of the Year Award by the Civil War Preservation Trust. The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) is America's largest non-profit organization devoted to the preservation of our nation's endangered Civil War battlefields. The Trust also promotes educational programs and heritage tourism initiatives to inform the public of the war's history and the fundamental conflicts that sparked it. The award is being presented for the work the NBHS did to encourage the State of Florida to purchase the Rakestraw property. This land acquisition added 55 acres of the original battlefield to the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park. The award was accepted by CSO President Mark Rominger, who stated: “The receipt of this award and the national recognition it brings represents a significant milestone in our continuing efforts to acquire, preserve, and protect all of the Natural Bridge Battlefield, Florida’s 2nd largest Civil War battle site”. |
February 2009
The long effort to preserve the most important Civil War site in the Big Bend climaxed Thursday with the state purchase of 55 acres of the Natural Bridge Battlefield in southern Leon County. The state Department of Environmental Protection agreed to buy the site last November, using funding from the Florida Forever trust for environmentally sensitive lands. On Thursday, the DEP closed on the property, paying $3.4 million to the Rakestraw family, the long time owners. |
November 2008
NEWS FLASH - The Natural Bridge Historical Society, Inc. (NBHS) is excited to announce that on Thursday November 20, Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet approved the purchase of the Rakestraw property where the most intense fighting occurred during the Civil War Battle of Natural Bridge. The addition of these 54 acres of the original battlefield greatly expand the current Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park protected by the State. The NBHS, a Citizen Support Organization (CSO), was instrumental in having this property recognized nationally as one of the 10 most endangered Civil War sites by the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT). Together, the NBHS and CWPT helped make State officials understand the importance of acquiring and protecting the battlefield from future residential development. With the purchase of the Rakestraw property, the NBHS-CSO will focus on assisting the State interpreting the site. The first step will be to apply for a grant through the Division of Historic Resources to fund an archeological survey of the property. The Rakestraw property contains relics of the Civil War and prehistoric settlements dating back 12,000 years. The St Marks River rises and falls through sinkholes and underground caves at least eight times on the property. "It's an incredibly significant piece of property both archaeologically and historically," said Fred Gaske, the director of the Division of Historical Resources, who also serves as the state historic-preservation officer. Cal Jamison, who represents Wakulla Springs State Park as its designated "ambassador," said the property is "every bit as awesome to me as Wakulla Springs." Other plans for the property include converting the Rakestraw house into an interpretive center. The NBHS plans to work closely with the Park Service to establish a museum to describe the events which occurred on March 6, 1865 during the Battle of Natural Bridge. The front rooms of the house are ideally suited to house showcases to display relics and other materials collected from the area over the years. Other rooms will be used as office space by the Park Service, including a place for the NBHS to hold meetings and to store CSO records. We also anticipate working with the reenactment community to expand the annual reenactment of the Battle of Natural Bridge. Hopefully, the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge (March 2010) will include action on the original main battle field. Members of the Rakestraw family said they were glad the state purchased the property and would preserve the land. "I think it's a great deal for the people of Florida that they acquired this property," Jim Rakestraw said. We wholeheartedly agree and thank the Rakestraw’s for their stewardship of the land for so many years. Special thanks also goes out to the members of the NBHS that helped make this possible and especially to the CSO Board of Directors: Mark Rominger, President; Henry Brewer, Past President; Buzz Gifford, Vice President; Bob Trapp, Secretary/Treasurer; John Boger, Director; and Sharon Brewer, Director, whose tireless efforts over the past ten years have finally resulted in this phenomenal acquisition. We would also like to acknowledge: Barry Burch, Park Manager; Wes Smith, Past Park Manager; and Tom Nobles, Past Assistant Park Manager, as well as all the Park Service personnel that have encouraged and supported the activities of the CSO. With the acquisition of this additional acreage the NBHS will play a major part in planning for the future at the Natural Bridge Historic State Park. With this in mind, we would like to invite and to urge all reenactors, living historians, and interested private individuals and corporations to join and become a member of this organization. The more members we have the more we can accomplish. Please visit our web site at www.nbhscso.com for a membership application or email Bob Trapp, our Secretary/Treasurer at btrapp@nbhscso.com . |
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