Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-05
A HAPPY SOLUTION.
The A. p. v. A. AND ITS ACCUSE
TON or THE JAMESTOWN RUINS.
a history Of tho organisatioo--Its oh
3scts. Ia Work. and Lite
Entertainments.


The action OF Mr.. Edward f. Barney
and wife in deciding to the Association for
the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
the Jamestown church-yard With its ruins
and twenty acres adjoining was not only
generous, but happy solution OF vexod
problem. While the Legislature had
granted to tho association the States in
terest in the graveyard and tower. Mr.
Barney was in possession, and before the
associaticn'coul have dispossessed HIM it
would have been compelled to set up
title, thus involving considerable htiga-
ton and expense. Now that the assocla-
ton has the coveted antiquities, and Tor
its purposes valuable property in ADDITION,
IL can use tho money that would have been
employed In the effort 10 make good attic
in acquiring other landmarks. Thus ex-
tending the sphere of its operations.
HISTORY or THE ASSOCIATIONS.
In view of the jamestown acquisition
brief history OF the organization, oblect'
and work of the Association for the IRE
F., servation ofsyirginia Antiquities may not
DO out of place. The association had its
genesis January 4. 1929. in the house OF
Mrs. G. w. Coleman, at Williamsburg. the
ancient capital Of Virginia. IL was fully
organized in the Gubernatorisl Mansion,
this city, April Sd following. and charter
obtained, the following being the eorp1o,-
rators Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee. Mrs. G. w.
Coleman, Mrs. Joseph X. Anderson, Mrs.
James Lyons, Mrs. Joseph Bryan, MIS-.
Israel Smith. Mrs. J. Il. g. Spencer. Miss
j. G. Garrett. Mira +. s. Brown. Mrs. l..
w. Tazewell, Miss Mary Jeffrey Gait, Mrs.
NJ. L. Hughes, Mrs. NJ. u. Croker. Mrs.
X. A. Pryor.
TIE F1Rsr PRESIDENT.
Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee was the first presi-
dent and held Office for one year: When
she was about 10 leave Richmond she re,
signed. and Mrs. Joseph Bryan, who naa
been secretary and treasurer. was elected
in her stead. Mrs. Bryan entered upon
the duties of the Office with her whole
heart in the cause, and has made most
energetic and efficient president.
In broad terms the objec: OF the Asso-
citation for the Preservation OF virginia
Antiquities is the ownership. restoration
as far as possible and preservation OF all
landmarks prominent in colonial and Revo-
luuonary history. TO accomplish this OBJ
iect O much larger sum was necessary
than IL could be hoped would be derived
from membership fees. The ladies,
therefore. determined az the first step to-
wards raising fund 10 have ball. and on
the 29th OF January, 1890, they gave tho
first OF three entertainments, when naVo
ciety each succeeding year.
TIE COLONIAL BALL.
This ball was known as the Colonial Ball.
came of at the Richmond Theatre, and
was a brilliant success. No one not IN cos
tune was adrnlttcd TO the floor. The
minuet, led by Mrs. Willie Allen. was
danced. aud the Reception Committee
was in charge Of the late Mrs. Philip Hax-
all, whose great beauty and queenly man.
a. Ia q la ocIn frrli "
the court scene it was intended TO repro
duce. For the time being both the spec
tators and the participants IN the dance
and the reception lived in the distant past.
This entertainment netted the association
Sl.6Ss.47.
THE OTHER DALIs.
The second bail was given in January.
1891, in the same building, and was also
signal success. "Sir Roger do Coyerly
was danced and WAS led by Mrs. William
J.. Royall and MIR. g. T.. Boiling. The next
ball was IN January. 1892. and Was at the
Academy of Music. 1t was opened with
scenic display representing the presenta-
ton Of Pocahontas at the court OF James
l., the Indian Princess being personated
by Miss Martha Burwell Dabney Bagby.
Miss Nav Handy appeared as Queen Anne,
and DR.. Charles V. Darlington as james l.
On this occasion tie Saraband led tv Miss
Irene Langhorne was danced and the cos
tuning was magnificent. The King Cot
ton ball. the last one gwen by the assoeia-
tion. is fresh in the public mind.
TIE PowDER-HoRS.
Through balls and other entertainments
and membership fees the association accu-
mulated a good deal Of money. and has
been enabled to do q good deal OF worK.
The old Powder-Horn, in williamsburg.
has been bought and restored, and ia now
a 6 fNyln aal fol
Branch OF the association. The house IN
fredericksburg in which Mary the mother
of Washington lived and died has also be-
come the property OF the ASSOCIATION.
having been purchased at cost of 5000
1t has been put in good repair and Is IN
the custody of the Fredericksburg Branch
of the association. In addition TO these
expenditures the association has contri-
buted money TO aid in preserving the old
records of York county.
MORE MONTY NEEDED.
Now that the association has acquired
the Jamestown tower and graveyard pro-
vision will have to made for their protec-
ton and the building of house for u GUS
todian. For this and in order to the car
rying ont of other plans the ladies must
have more money, and II IL hoped that the
public will evince substantial appreciation
of their efforts. Their labor IS one Of pa
nized by hearty support. In yreservlng
Virginia antiquities they are preserving
history.
The association was rechartered in Feb
ruary, 1892, Mrs. Joseph Bryan, Mrs
James LYONS, Mrs. O. W. Coleman, Mrs
w. Il. Meredith, Mrs. George W. Bagby.
aud Others being the oorporatOrs. II is
now empowered to hold relics OF antiquity
generally. books. papers. DC.
THE PRESENT OFFICERS.
The'present officers Of the association
are; President, Mrs Joseph BRYAN: Vice
Presidents, Mrs. Joseph r. Anderson. Mrs.
G. w. Coleman, Mss Mary Jeffrey Gait.
Mrs. J. /. Wexford, Mrs. T.. L. Crump.
Mrs. }. L. NJ. Curry, Mrs. A. NJ. Seldom,
Mrs. f.. r. Ball. Mrs. 7. W. Mckinney,
Mr.. L. n. Carter, aud Miss l.. NJ Plea
SAINTS; Recording Secretary, Mrs. James
Lyons; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs.
Mrs. W. 4. Meredith had been the
efficient treasurer for some wears, but
owing to i'll health was compelled 10 re-
sign. Mrs. George N. Woodbridge was
elected to succeed her and served for n
short while, when she also rendered her
resignation. 1t has never been formally
accepted, bat Mrs. Bagby has been acting
treasurer.
THE ADVISORY BOARD.
The ASSOCIATION also mas an AuNisory
Board. consisting of Hon. w. ". Henry
(cbairman), Rev. j. b. Newton, DIR. j. L.
ii. Curry, Mr.. Ed. T. Crump,- Joseph
Bryan, Roosevelt Page, Major Z. ID. T..
MYERS. Captain r. 4. Lee. Mr.. II. A. Brock.
7. V. Valentine. William J.. Sheppard, j.
Aston Cabell. w. Il. Meredith, Thomas n.
Carter. and Colonel Archer Anderson.
There are on the rolls Of the ASSOCIATION
&C lie members and about $50 annual mem
bers. The life-membership fee IS $40 aud
the annual-membership fee - per year.
The association will make strenuous efforts
this wear 20 increase its membership and
these efforts should no. DO without avail.