Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-05
FAVOR Wakefield
HIGHWAY PROJECT
Association Makes Progress
in WORK at Washington
Birthplace.

A resolution indorsing the proposed
national highway from Washington to
Wakefield-the birthplace of George
Washington WAS adopted by the
Wakefield National Memorial Asso-
citation at it's second annual meeting in
the Washington Club last night. Gen
eral progress was reported i'll the work
Of the association in carrying out its
plans for the restoration and preser-
walton of Wakefield.
The association plans to have the
home completely restored to its origi-
nal form by 1882, when the celebration
of the 200th anniversary of the birth
of Washington will be held throughout
the country. The location of the Wake
field home overlookS the Potomac
River about miles below Colonial
= Beach, Va.
20 Acres Purchased.
Mrs. Henry l.. Rust. president Of
the association, reported that the or
ganization. since its last annual meet
ing, has finished purchasin 20 acres
of land surrounding Wakefeld-in-
Guiding rights of way and so feet of
land surrounding the aShington
family burying ground, where four
generations of the family lie. This
property. she said. had been bought
for 81 900, and the association will
continue TO SELL at one dollar a
square foot. the 20 acres of land to
persons desiring to become members.
Mrs. Rust also told of many neglect
cd graves of historical interest in Nir-
gina. adding: Think of America,
with all her money and boosted
patriotism. allowing such q thing to
occur.
Byron X. Newton. a member of the
associations board of trustees, de-
plored the fact that America, with
all its money. has not done more to-
ward the maintenance of historic
sites. I'VE are neglectful of the his
toric spots that we ought to be proud
Of" he said.
Miss Ella L. Dorset. recording sec
rotary of the association, expressed
pleasure that Cabinet officers and
many other people of prominence had
become interested in the Wakefield
project and praised the wisdom of
President Coolidge" in selecting SEN
ator FeSS as chairman of the COM
mittee in charge of the national
celebration Of George Washington's
Birthday in 1892.
Others on Program.
Now that the land has been pur-
chased, M ISIS dorsey emphasized the
next step Is to restore the house and
the third step to be taken will be to
endow the property that it may be
preserved as a national memorial for
all time. Brief addresses were deliv-
cred also by Samuel Herrick of the
Sons of the American Revolution
and by DIR. Marcus Benjamin of the
Sons of the Revolution. Brig Gen
George Richards. president of the
Sons of the Revolution in the District
of Columbia, was present.
Mrs. Rust reported that the follow
ing gifts for Wakefield had been 80
Ceived:
\ large silk flag and a table. which
was brought from England in 1860
used as a writing table and on which
rests George Washington seal: five
venerable box trees, IS paving stones
from Brays Church at Leedstown.
Westmorcland County. Va. a gavel
made from wood at Wakefield, Wash
ington silver and a. Golden Book of
Wakefield" in which will be recorded
all the gifts toward the memorial.
Among the trustees Of the Wake
field National Memorial Association
are: Mrs. Rust, president; John Bar