The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1961-10-06
GENEROUS GIFT BY MORRISONS
ASSURES PERMANENCE OF A
GREAT FORT RALEIGH SHRINE
Contribution Of $i25.00o Announced Friday,
Given by Summer Residents of Dare County.
Matching States Contribution Now Assures
Adequate Protection For Great American
Heritage.


the Dare County area by North
Carolinians was announced Friday
from the office of Governor Sam
ford. DR.. and Mrs. Fred w. Morris
on of Washington, d. c., natives of
North Carolina, summer residents
of Kill Devil Hills, have matched
the States appropriation of $685.
600, whereby North Carolina will
have a quarter million dollars avail
liable to enlarge the Fort Raleigh
site, and preserve for the state and
the nation, one of the country's
greatest hisoric shrines. Fort Raj
eigh, site of the first English settle-
ment in the New World, which has
long been comparatively neglected
in view Of its great Importance.
The generous gift of DR.. and Mrs.
Morrison means that there should
never be any need of the Lost Coll
ony whitening on the vine, but
must, through the efforts of appre-
eiative citizens, continue to be
Roanoke Islands greatest economic
bulwark, as it has been for nearly
a quarter of a century. 1t is going
to mean, with additional funds from
the National Park service, an early
outlay Of half million dollars for
expansion of this great shrine.
The Morrisons have long been ar
dent supporters of the Lost Colony,
and Mr.. Morrison has been most
important factor in saving the
show, which all but collapsed two
years ago. Through her inspiration,
and the added support of Mrs. o.
Max Gardner, there came about
|rebirth Of interest and support, in
the most important place, among
local people as well as throughout
the State. X.
Gift Hailed BY Governor
Gov. Sanford called the gift
zone of the most welcome and
meaningful gestures made by
private citizens in many years."
The Morrison donation, match
ing a similar amount appropriate
ed by the 1861 Legislature, will
be used to buy 120 acres sur
rounding the present 1S.5-acre
historical site at the north end of
Roanoke Island.
Big Development Planned.
The National Park Service
plans major development prof.
ect here. Federal legislation signed
by President Kennedy last summer
authorized the government to az
cept the additional land from the
State.
DR.. Morrison is a Cabarrus Coun-
ty native. His wife is from Lau-
rinburg. He is head of the WASH
ington law firm of Gardner, Nor
Hrison, and Rogers, founded by the
late Gov. o. Max Gardner.
The announcement of their gift
was made at press conference at
the Capitol in Raleigh. Secretary of
Commerce and Mrs. Luther Hodges,
the Morrisons, and National Park
officials sat in as Gov. Sanford said
the gift will mean "the perpetual
ton of The Lost Colony drama
and create q more authentic histori-
cal atmosphere in the entire Fort
Raleigh area"
Federal Funds Available.
The first stage of the develop
ment program, paid for with fed
eral funds, includes complete re-
building of the historical dramas
theatre. Site Superintendent Robert
Gibbs said the 5000 project will
be completed next spring.
Eventually, a 100000 develop
ment program will completely re-
construct the Fort Raleigh area
and provide q new visitors CEN
ter.
The additional land will be de-
veloped for recreation, parking,
and historical interest.
Mrs. Morrison pointed out at
the press conference that the de-
velopment plan win be well UNI
|derway in time for the 375th an
adversary celebration Of the Lost
Colony's founding next year.
Gov. Sanford quoted the late
1t. Gov. Cloyd Philpott in de-
Iscribing the significance of the
Fort Raleigh area. Philpott, in =
speech prepared for delivery the
day he died, said the 18th CEN
fury settlement there was "a
magnificent precedent upon
which those who came later would
build a great State and great
nation"
Sanford said that while the site
would mean tangible benefits
in economic development, It's ain
tangibles" were more important
mot the least Of which is the
satisfaction North Carolinians de.
rive from the knowledge that ev'
cry effort Is being made to give
E>< GIFT pnr& Civ