Fort Ward Park Testimony

Testimony by J. Glenn Eugster
to the Alexandria City Council
December 13, 2008

Good day. I’m J. Glenn Eugster of 4022 Ellicott Street, Alexandria, VA. I’ve lived in Alexandria for more than 20 years. My wife and I picked Alexandria to live in because of the history, sense of community and the wonderful quality of life.

For the last 14 months I’ve been communicating with 55 homeowners in our neighborhood and others from nearby. I have sent you requests on their behalf asking for assistance. Each time that we have contacted you it was after a good-faith effort to resolve problems directly with the City Departments.

City park managers have routinely ignored, resisted and actively worked against residents who have expressed concerns about crime, garbage, flooding, noise, crime, crowds, and cultural resource degradation. We have encountered passive aggressive and arrogant behavior in response to our concerns.

For example, when we experienced a variety of park-related crime in our area, park managers refused to close the gate to the park and night, removed the gate, and said, “Criminals will get in the park with the gate is locked or not”.

When we asked to move the solid waste transfer station in the park maintenance yard I was told, “We are looking at an option to place the dumpsters behind your house”.

When we complained about the expansion of the park maintenance yard to care for multiple parks, without a Special Use Permit or any public input, we were told, “The maintenance yard has always been there”.

When we expressed concern to numerous City officials about the protection of Virginia Fitzhugh and the other African Americans, buried in Fort Ward Park-outside the cemetery after the Civil War, we were totally ignored.

During the last two summers we complained regularly about the amplified noise levels and very large crowds without permits at the park. We were told that, “Call the Police Department”. 

After trying for 8 months to secure a copy of the plan for Ft. Ward Park, we were told on November 7, 2008 that no plan exists. Recently we found a plan on the City’s website dated October 16, 2008 that was prepared by City staff without public input. Not surprisingly the plan doesn’t address the concerns we have expressed nor does it have a goal, any objectives or even include all the areas of the park.

The residents of Marlboro Estates and other need your help. The Parks & Recreation Department intends to carry this flawed plan out to the public to present it at a hearing.

After over 30 years the park surely needs a plan. Park use and management has destroyed park resources, had a negative impact on adjacent homes, and contributed to health, safety and crime problems. However, we need a plan that is well-developed from the start with experts and the public rather than one that is presented to them at a hearing.

Please make the City take adequate time
to do a quality plan for Ft. Ward Park with expert and public input at the start.

Remove the October 16, 2008 study and
recommendations from the City’s park planning website and call for a process that brings people together to develop a plan rather than have government carry out a preconceived proposal for people to react to.
Take action to change the culture of the
Parks & Recreation Department to carry out their duties in ways that are more honest, open, and respectful of adjacent landowners.
Request the Department to be more
collaborative and committed to protecting park values while pursuing recreation services.

We won’t get these ongoing problems solved, or achieve the economic, environmental, recreational or educational potential of this part of our community unless the Council sets a better direction. We can’t afford the current “we” and “they” approach--it must be “us”. We do our best work when we work together. Help us please!
Thank you.

St. Leonard Community Vision Meeting

St. Leonard Community Vision Meeting
April 23, 2002

Composite Results

Question 1. What are the special qualities, values or assets of St. Leonard?

Good neighbors
Citizen participation
Village quality
Rural
Good education facilities

Central location in County provides easy access to other county facilities
Approximate location to beaches
Feeling of safety
Tavern, pool, meeting of locals
Community services

Auction house
Polling House
Streetscape
Parks
--Flag Pond
--Flag Harbor
--Patterson Park
Rural Qualities
--Nice small town feel

Clean beaches
2 great liquor stores
Good people
Relaxed laid-back
Original stores (Buelher’s)with history

Small, friendly, local home
Family oriented
Nice cross-section of communities
Residential rural community
Family grocery store
P.O. (personal)
Not a lot of abandoned properties
Lots of potential
Unpolluted environment
Dominated by bay on one side and river on the other
Local school
American Chestnut Land Trust (trails, boy scouts, families)

Historical structures
Parks, Flag Pond, Garden of Remembrance, JPPM
Good population with need to serve diverse pop.
Willingness to take care and participate in community
# of residents who have grown up in the area

Small town atmosphere
--Minimal traffic—no traffic lights
Beautiful green trees and rolling hills
Boating
Beautiful beach: Nice marina
Low crime
Pretty scenery—likes idea of coming streetscape

Closeness to Calvert Cliffs and Flag ponds
Likes combination of rural farms mixed in with community
Friendliness of people
Glad to see excitement of newcomers as well as old timers
Elementary school

People who work here also live here
Heritage of Town
Fire Department
People who live here stay here

· History – Chesapeake Bay and Patuxant River
· Diverse area
· Rural nature
· Sense of community
· Small town center
· Casual atmosphere in town center. Easy access to elected officials and citizens
· Location to metro centers, DC, Baltimore, Annapolis, etc.
· Home atmosphere, quiet, low crime
· Close to Chesapeake Bay
· Close to Jefferson Patterson Park, Flag Pond Nature Center, American Chestnut Land Trust
· Merchants contribute to access of goods

· Patuxant River Naval Base, Power plant – employment opportunities
· Schools – two elementary schools
· Firehouse – safety aspect and close
· Quick response with rescue squad and VFD
· Jefferson Patterson Park Festivals and activities
· Quiz Night at Boyle’s Tavern

· Auction House
· Less traffic at night
· Ball fields and recreational areas (3rd location)


Question #2. What are your most important needs or concerns about the future of St. Leonard?

More local services
Restaurant and support for it
Professional offices
Youth social/ activity and community center/ library
More roads and traffic control from the East
Annual festival/ St. Leonard’s Day

Community information publication
Telecommunicating center
Improve appearance of buildings
Public sewer to take care of failing systems
Traffic
Sidewalks (into communities)

Close amenities for young people
Dowell House Capacity (too small)
Rec Center (indoor)
Restaurant (Gathering area)
Quality Bakery
Parking for Town Center

Neighborhood Swimming Pool (YMCA)
Woodburns (Food store)
Do not become too urban
Traffic safety w/Round About
18 Wheelers on Calvert Beach Road
--Beside Power Lines and Firehouse

Keep it the way we expressed—“most important thing said”
Some place to eat
Won’t be able to change—has to change
--sustainable
--thriving town center coexist (bus and res. Demds)
Several restaurants have gone out of business in same area
Over reliance on particular product services
Dealing with conflicting ideas
Bigger P.O.

Parking (head in) traffic and street control dangerous
Parking off street\
Pleasing business vs. residents (balance)
Developing partnerships
Do Not Litter Signs. Better awareness of keeping roadsides clean
Do something with vacant gas station
Improve storefront appearances of Town
No need for Target or chain stores or restaurant
Parking lot for van carriers, etc.
Attractive and quality signs

· Second access from Long Beach and Calvert Beach (one road now)
· Mosquito control
· Increase growth may lead to increase crime
· Maintaining small town atmosphere
· Controlled growth for St. Leonard (as compared to Waldorf and Prince Frederick)

· No more convenience or fast-stop stores
· Encourage local owned businesses
· Interesting businesses
· Public recreation – bike trails, tennis courts, community center
· Water access is needed for beach area and boating access, St. Leonard Creek, Bay and River
· Current parcel of 11 acres is now available south of town

· Sewage treatment needs upgraded
· Storm water management after water leaves property
· Restaurants – not fast food, sit down type moderate price, and family oriented atmosphere and clean.
· Approval of South Creek Rural Legacy Area to protect rural character of the area between Island Creek to Hungerford Creek
· Access to public water

· Off shore duck hunting in close proximity to occupied houses (hunting is not opposed – safety concern)
· Deer problem - too many
· Trash on Calvert Beach and other roads
· Light pollution
· Improved motel

· Affordable housing is needed
· Use of empty town buildings such as Sunoco
· Noise ordinance needed or needs enforced
· Neighborhood watch is needed in some areas and is good in other areas
· Adequate standards and security for special types of housing complexes


Question #3. What are short-term actions (2-12 months) actions should the community take to make St. Leonard a better place to live in, work in, or visit?

Develop a St. Leonard information packet
Better utilization of Dowell House
Start Planning Festival
Continued community involvement
Community involvement in Streetscape planting
St. Leonard website

Listing of upcoming events (future)
Summary of each meeting
Consolidation/ link to County website
Central location for Community Bulletin Board
St. Leonard Day

Eliminate Long-term parking for:
--cars for sale
--overnight parking
--moving vans (Tom Surles)
Clean up streets, etc—also road sides (Karen Dellinger, Fred, Judy, Dotty, Virginia)
Will Streetscape include flowers as well as trees? (Nancy Worster)
Christmas Caroling at Polling House
Communications in newspaper about coming happenings
Revival of St. Leonard Fiesta
Move up 2nd access priority
--put under capital improvements

Advocate for priorities
Solve septic problems in beach area
--failing systems
Infrastructure
--road, cable
Continue committee dialogue
Hold community spirit
--building event
Increase awareness and identify assets
Study/ visit similar areas to get ideas
Maintain uniqueness
Publicize historical and other sites to increase awareness of assets

Do more with Polling House
--voting
--garden
--events

Have information center
Get historical designations
· Trash – community clean-up day, Earth Day, Adopt-a-Highway, community effort
· St. Leonard’s Citizens Association
· Regular Town meeting

· Public better informed of business, zoning, concept plans for St. Leonard
· Car owners using Transmission line right of way as a used car lot and sale of vehicles – looks trashy
· Visual arts and public arts tie in to the park scape of the town
· Enforcement of speed limit in town on 765, especially with motorcycles and on Calvert Beach road
· Signage on road for speed reduction

· Utilize citizen process for growth
· Planning for employment opportunities to get something started
· Planning for Art Gallery and Art shop
· Community pool that is heated, indoor and has a Jacuzzi
· Starbucks with the pool


Question #4. Who is interested and willing to help with these actions?

Clients:
State
County
Residents*
Federal
Businesses*
Faith community
School
Civic and community organizations
Youth
Senior citizen
Commuters

Focus groups

Partnerships Report—February 21, 2008

Partnerships Report—February 21, 2008

1. Created in 2002 by Regional Managers to:

Put a more collaborative face on NCR parks and programs
Find more public and private funds
Give partnerships more visibility
Intent is to help park and program managers, and our partners, accomplish goals, objectives and tasks. Help people help themselves to protect and serve

2. Since that time we have been a period of partnership mania. Most recently we are hearing a steady stream of promises of funding related to the Centennial Initiative. NCR has had a long tradition of partnerships so some of the mania isn’t new to us—or is it?

3. Givens:
Initiatives come and go with each administration.
Work belongs to each of you and you decide how it gets done.
The world, and our world at NPS, has changed and will continue to change.
--More demands;
--more immediate demands;
--expected to practice multi-tasking (muddled tasking);
--NCR is seeing the arrival of the next generation of NPS leaders and with that comes new ideas and a loss of institutional memory and contacts
--less money to do everything we are being asked to do;
--anti-fed sentiment; and
--we are losing parkland and open space at an alarming rate.

4. So…What do we do about it?

Many believe that new levels of success require organizations that foster collaboration within and with others.

We use partnerships sometimes when we can’t, or shouldn’t do something alone, or when we want to do something better.

Let’s go back to the purpose of my office---it’s about money right?

First step, reconsider old or bad decisions. Look for ways to eliminate expenditures that don’t make sense anymore.
such as annual payments to support NERO programs—that are fully funded.

Second step, find the low hanging sources of funding.
such as leveraging WASO funds for services to secure funds to start the planning process for the National Mall Plan
or RTCA—programs that have been providing NPS regions funding for 25 years that NCR hasn’t taken advantage of;
and, Unilever/ Lipton’s Trails Forever/ Healthy Parks-Healthy Living effort

Third, open for the donation business. Answer the question for partners and the public, How can I help the National Park Service?
such as the Cherry Tree Replacement Endowment Fund and work with the Willard Hotel and their commitment to Sustainable Development.
--$7,500 donation to the Cherry Tree Fund
--Assistance to NAMA with Pershing Park
--Working with NCR on the Green Event Planning Guide
--Sharing information with NPS on Sustainable Hospitality Standards including: healthy foods; energy conservation; healthier employees;

Fourth, be more of an advocate for parks, open space and outdoor recreation areas.
such as partnering with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on the Green Infrastructure Demonstration project;
and partnering with the America the Beautiful Fund and SCA to help support Urban Gardens in DC

Fifth, look for partners to help fundraise for NPS for specific projects.
such as the Georgetown Waterfront, National Mall, Frederick Douglass NHS, Education Center at Piscataway Park.

Our region is unique and uniquely situated to use partnerships more effectively to accomplish our work.

Jack Fish once said, Washington, DC is a city within a national park”.
Because of that close relationship to people and communities, many of our partners have a stake in mutual success.
Partnerships and finding HELP OR money are inseperable. If you want to raise funds you need to:

Raise friends
If you want to raise friends you need to be clear on the cause, and be able to describe who is behind the cause and why it is important to act know. dON’T FORGET—THEY DON’T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.

Think of it as a FORMULA:

CASUE + WHO IS BEHIND THE CAUSE+ FRIENDSRAISING= FUNDS AND ASSISTANCE

A Different Kind of Tourism

Remarks by J. Glenn Eugster
Office of Regional Operations
& State-Local Relations
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Washington, D.C.
202-260-4723


I. TOURISM

WHAT IS IT?

DEFINITIONS OF HERITAGE TOURISM:


JEFF SOULE OF THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION DESCRIBES IT AS;
· "RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL TO NATURAL AND CULTURAL AREAS WHICH CONSERVES THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVES THE WELFARE OF LOCAL PEOPLE".

ECOTOURISM---EPA’S OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES DEFINES ECOTOURISM AS “TRAVEL AND RECREATION TO NATURAL AREAS THAT IS DESIGNED TO CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THOSE AREAS’ CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT, THROUGH EDUCATION AND THE DEDICATION OF TOURISM DOLLARS TO PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES”.



II. PRINCIPLES OF HERITAGE TOURISM--A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TOURISM:
(CHART--1)

* INTEREST IN LIFESTYLE: HERITAGE TOURISM EMPHASIZES UNDERSTANDING THE LINKAGES AND INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PHYSICAL FEATURES , BIOLOGICAL FEATURES , AND CULTURAL FEATURES.

* OFFERINGS OF A COMMUNITY: HERITAGE TOURISM RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND THE PAST AND USES THESE THINGS TO SHAPE HOW A COMMUNITY COMMUNICATES ITS IDENTITY. TYPICALLY THEMES, "PLACE-ROOTED" IMAGES, ARE USED TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE AND COMMUNICATE THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE SENSE OF THE LOCALITY OR REGION AS A SPECIAL PLACE.

* RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL: HERITAGE TOURISM OFTEN PROVIDES FOR A CULTURAL EXCHANGE WHICH GOES BEYOND PAST LOCAL-VISITOR INTERACTIONS. CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITIES AND VISITORS TO HAVE A HIGH QUALITY EXPERIENCE.

* CONSERVES ENVIRONMENT & IMPROVES LOCAL WELFARE: HERITAGE TOURISM RECOGNIZES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECOLOGICAL, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC VALUES AND STRIVES TO ACHIEVE ALL THREE OBJECTIVES SIMULTANEOUSLY. IT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO PROTECT AND PROSPER.

* ENCOUNTER WITH BROAD & DIVERSE TRADITIONS: VISITORS ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING AUTHENTIC TRADITIONS OF LAND AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND USE DIFFERENT FROM THEIR OWN. IT PLACES VALUE ON COMMUNITIES AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AS "LIVING LANDSCAPES" WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, WORK, AND VISIT.

* EMPHASIZES REGIONAL/ COMMUNITY PLACE-BASED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED COOPERATIVE EFFORTS: THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS HAVE COME FROM COMMUNITY/ REGIONAL EFFORTS WITH STATE, FEDERAL AND PRIVATE ASSISTANCE. IT IS AN APPROACH WHICH EMBODIES THE NOTION OF "HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES".



III. HOW DOES TOURISM WORK?

(CHART 2)

IT'S A COMMUNITY PROCESS, AS WELL AS A PLACE-BASED EFFORT!

HERITAGE AREAS:

EFFORTS ARE TYPICALLY REFERRED TO AS "HERITAGE AREAS"----WHICH ARE REGIONALLY IDENTIFIABLE AND SIGNIFICANT LANDSCAPES THAT ARE THE FOCUS OF COOPERATIVE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DECISION-MAKING EFFORTS TO RECOGNIZE, ORGANIZE, AND COMMUNICATE A COMMUNITY'S NATURAL, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, AND ECONOMIC ATTRIBUTES TO PROTECT IMPORTANT VALUES, STIMULATE THE LOCAL ECONOMY, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE".


HERITAGE AREA PLANNING STEPS

Assumptions:

* The process must be locally led, open to the public, objective and inclusive.

* All partners are equally important.

* All environmental, community and economic values must be recognized.

* The process must be consensus-based and agreement should be secured at the beginning, and at every major decision-making point in the process.

* Recognize and build upon existing traditions of stewardship, partnerships, consensus building and community initiative.

* Ultimately local governments make local decisions. All heritage is local.

* Typically a locally appointed Steering Committee will lead the effort and local coordinators and State government assistance will be required.

* There must be balanced private sector and government involvement.


IV. PROCESS STEPS:

(CHART 3)

1. Identify, Understand and Characterize Resource Values (e.g. What are the natural, historic, cultural, recreational, tourism, economic, and other values which are important to the area? )

2. Describe the Goals & Objectives of All Interests (e.g.. Goals for community, heritage preservation, conservation, environment, economy, and tourism; What will this effort do for us? What do we want the plan to do for us? What are the goals of the plan?)

3. Identify and Assess the Needs, Concerns and Issues (e.g.. What local needs, concerns or problems need to be resolved or addressed?)

4. Refine Goals & Objectives and Establish Measures of Success(e.g. What are the measures of progress?)

5. Consider All Alternatives (e.g. How can values be protected or promoted, issues be resolved, and goals be achieved? What ideas do people have? What programs, tools, techniques, laws, and approaches are available?)

6. Select Actions (e.g.. What actions need to be taken? Who will take the action? How will the action be taken? When will the action be taken? Actions should protect/ promote values; achieve goals; resolve issues; consider appropriate alternatives; and reflect public attitudes; Identify short and long-term actions.)

7. Take Action (e.g. Short and long-term actions)

8. Document, Publicize & Celebrate Results (e.g. Track your progress and publicize results)

9. Evaluate Progress and Refine Strategy (e.g. Periodically refine the strategy based on what you learn and current conditions)


V. A TOURISM APPROACH INCLUDES:

* HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE---EMPHASIZES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT/ SUSTAINABILITY (CHART 4)
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations (see: Northampton County, Virginia Sustainable Development Plan, including Port of Cape Charles, Ecological Industrial Park)

* RECOGNITION OF HUMAN VALUE--INCLUDES HUMAN ECOLOGY; PEOPLE’S ROLE IN THE LAND--PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE; (SLIDE 2--Timber Working Landscape)
Working landscapes (see: Original Florida; Proposal for Ocean Heritage Highway--Route 13 & 17; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Comprehensive Plan)
Events---Describe who we are to others and ourselves ( see: St. Mary's County, Maryland Oyster Festival; Scranton, Pennsylvania Italian Festival)

* IMPORTANT ECOTOURISM VALUES: SIGNIFICANCE
PERSONAL VALUES (SLIDE 3--Ned Fritz, Trinity River Swamp, Dallas, TX--Annual Buckeye Walk),
COMMUNITY VALUES (SLIDE 4 -- Lehigh Gorge)
REGIONAL VALUES (SLIDE 5 -- Havre de Grace Heritage Corridor, Maryland--First window on the Chesapeake Bay)
NATIONAL VALUES (SLIDE 6 --South Carolina National Heritage Corridor )

* AN AGREED UPON VISION--EVOCATIVE INSPIRATION OF THE LAND, WATER AND IT’S PEOPLE
Great Egg Harbor River, New Jersey--(Visit by John James Audubon: Quote--SLIDE 7)
Lackawanna Heritage Valley, Pennsylvania--(George Innes Painting, "Lackawanna Valley"--SLIDE 8)
Annapolis, Maryland--(Alliance for Sustainable Communities: Sacred Places--SLIDE 9 Sunset)
Delaware-Lehigh Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor, Pennsylvania--( Visit by John James Audubon, "Audubon's Lehigh"--SLIDE 10 )

Use art & literature from your area as sources of inspiration, pride, awareness & vision:
(eg. SLIDE 11--Impressionist Paintings)

"That lovely calm, ever-changing, stinking river, full of glamour and filth. I love it so, I think because it gave me a sense of life--Guy de Maupassant, Mouche, 1890)

* IDENTITY--SENSE OF PLACE & RECOGNIZABLE PARTS OF REGIONAL AND PERSONAL LANDSCAPE;
Pattern generating elements of the region (eg. overall land use and management--land use, forest cover, general appearance, views)
Character of community (eg.--Kentucky Bluegrass Country--SLIDE 12 )

* REGIONAL COOPERATION--POOLING RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE
REGIONAL GOAL--(e.g. CHART 5---Note New England Governor's Resolution on Tourism)

* CONNECTIVITY--INTERACTION BETWEEN THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND HERITAGE TOURISM DELIVERY SYSTEMS--LINKS---SPATIAL, BIOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, PHYSICAL, INFORMATIONAL, MENTAL
Multi-objective perspective (Lackawanna Heritage Valley Map--SLIDE 13)

* HERITAGE INFRASTRUCTURE--NATURAL, CULTURAL AND CIVIC SYSTEMS
Natural Infrastructure: Riparian systems (eg. Southern Cypress Swamp, Suwannee River Corridor, Florida--SLIDE 14 )

Cultural Infrastructure: Infrastructure for interpretation and education (eg. Lackawanna Heritage Valley, Pennsylvania; Visitor services, linkages, interpretive sites, an infrastructure for a new industry of ecological and cultural tourism, SLIDE--Scranton, PA 15 )

Civic Infrastructure: Network of groups representing broad-based interests throughout the area ( eg. Garden Clubs of America--SLIDE 16 of SC Garden Club; also Lake Champlain, Vermont Heritage Network)


* PACKAGING OF INFORMATION ON THE AREA, ITS PEOPLE AND SERVICES
INSIDE PACKAGING: Hospitality, training, local capacity; facilitating forums; --(eg. Environmental and Business Cross-Training--Crisfield, Maryland Heritage Action Plan; also Atlantic Flyway Byway, Delmarva Peninsula, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia--grant writing, and preparation of business plans for Heritage Boards/ Committees)

OUTSIDE PACKAGING: Information, activities, services, and businesses (eg. SLIDE 17--Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Civil War Battlefields)

Note: British Countryside Commission results---18% of locals know their countryside well; Maps can only be read by one in eight people; lack of confidence---40% of public worry about trespass; getting lost, where to go, or how to behave. Consider ideas such as, Joint Museum/ Tourism Brochures and Passes, Association of Museums in Paris which offers one brochure and one visitor pass for 65 museums.


* ON THE GROUND ACTION--DESIGN, PURCHASE, CLEAN, PRESERVE, CONSERVE, RESTORE, FIX & CELEBRATE!
Action starts on day-one! Take small steps while planning and promotion go on. Momentum, creditability, visibility, results, team-building and involvement. (eg. Crisfield, Maryland Heritage Visitor Center--SLIDE 18 )

"To Heal the Earth"

"To Heal the Earth": Selected Writings of Ian L. McHarg
Edited by Ian L. McHarg and Frederick R. Steiner
Island Press. 380 pp. $32.00

Reviewed by J. Glenn Eugster

"To Heal the Earth" feels much like a ramble along a familiar path seeing things again, with a new clarity. Ian McHarg's papers, and Frederick Steiner's analysis, provide illuminating guidance for how communities and land use practitioners intertwine natural systems and the built environment to achieve healthy and healthful environments.

Professor McHarg's "Design With Nature" principles, first published in his 1969 globally renown book, appear throughout these selected writings somehow seeming again new and timely for a Nation, and a world still struggling to be able to prosper with and protect the environment. McHarg's words still ring true when he says, "We must do more than sustain the planet, we must design and regenerate communities and landscapes".......There is a desperate need for a concept of a "healthy" and "healthful" environment....The role of man is to understand nature, which is also to say man, and to intervene to enhance its creative processes...Written on the place and upon its inhabitants lies mute all physical, biological and cultural history awaiting to be understood by those who can read it".

Reading "To Heal the Earth" is virtual©visit to Professor McHarg's office at the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania. The book feels as if you have dropped in to see Ian and listen to he and Frederick "Fritz" Steiner discuss Ian's writings between the 1950s and 1990s within the historical context of ecological planning and design work. As you move through the chapters its easy to imagine sitting across an obviously busy desk from McHarg and Steiner, with a backdrop of bookcases filled with the classic texts and reports which influenced or were shaped by the man who changed the face of landscape architecture and planning. Only a visit from Lenore Sagan, a longtime colleague and confidant of McHarg, would make this visit and to McHarg's office and what he has shared more authentic.

Professor McHarg's writings, taken from his most noteworthy presentations and projects, are chronologically ordered and analyzed by Fritz Steiner to combine the clarity vision with substantive detail. Steiner, a former student of McHarg's and the founding director of the School of Planning and Landscape Architecture at Arizona State University, helped Ian publish "A Quest for Life: An Autobiography of Ian L. McHarg". Professor Steiner's contribution to this book, as well as McHarg's autobiography, draws unique perspectives into the depth and breadth of Ian's work and offers a context useful to the past present and future.

The latest collaboration between Professors McHarg and Steiner's is most timely. It celebrates the past work of McHarg a "living legend" who continues to practice and advance the profession of landscape architecture and ecological planning. It also offers public and private leaders new insights about planning, land use and the relationship between people and their environment which are grounded in a half©century of experience. These historical and contemporary insights come at a time when the planning and design professions are struggling to redefine themselves. "To Heal the Earth" appears at a time when leaders at all levels of the government and the private sector are knee©deep in data, boutique federal government programs, snappy double©speak slogans about growth and a tyranny of small solutions about healthy and healthful communities.

McHarg's evolving message over the last fifty years is based on a holistic land use planning and design model of how living organisms interact with their environment. His premise is that, "The place is because. It is and is in the process of becoming. This we must be able to read, and ecology provides the language". McHarg's principles advocate an understanding of places, people and the work performed by both in order to ascertain human and ecological values, constraints and opportunities. Once labeled a "radical view of planning" and now embraced globally as "sustainable development", this message and its practical application describes a way for communities, states and nations to manage complex interrelated systems to simultaneously achieve environmental social and economic objectives.

Professor McHarg's papers articulate his view that science and applied ecology can help decision©makers understand the consequences of different actions. Professor McHarg's belief is that in order to understand a region, watershed or site, one must understand the place, its inhabitants and all of the areas physical, biological and cultural history. "Planning is a means to address social issues and a device to confront the future. Such confrontation requires that human values be explicit and when these values are clarified and linked to the environment, they have considerably more influence on planning than any amount of data.

McHarg's writings, and Steiner's analysis including a wealth of footnotes, makes this book both an inspirational read as well as a practical reference. Of particular value to the practitioner, as well as enjoyment to the historian, is the chapter "Methods and Techniques for Ecological Planning". Here McHarg and Steiner combine to reveal what Alexander Pope refereed to as "the genius of place".

Key to McHarg's method is the use of the "Layer©Cake" model for understanding a place (i.e. begin with the physical evolution of the place, continue with its bio©physical evolution and conclude with the addition of cultural history); uniting all of the discrete perceptions of divided science into a description of a single interacting system; and making sure that humans are adequately represented in ecological planning (i.e. human ecology). In a way McHarg's method challenges leaders to use information scientific data and community visioning to answer the following questions for a place (i.e. basin, physiographic region, site, etc.): What are the environments? How did they come to be? What physical, biological and social processes characterize them? What tendencies do they exhibit? What has been the effect of human use? What is their current status? What should we do?

The case studies selected, which include plans done for highways, water quality improvement, growth management and housing developments read like the benchmarks documents in McHarg's bookcase. Examples such as "The Plan for the Valleys" outside of Baltimore, MD.; "Biological Alternatives to Water Pollution"; and "Ecological Plumbing for the Texas Coastal Plain" continue to be models of innovation for smart growth, watershed protection and restoration and green infrastructure efforts today.

Never to be without vision McHarg's book also includes a proposal which he and several colleagues made to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a "National Ecological Inventory" for transforming environmental research and education into place©based environmental monitoring and action.

A trip to Professor McHarg's office, like "To Heal the Earth" can be a rather heady experience. Whether Mr. McHarg is discussing his new book on children's poetry or a land use plan he is helping to prepare for Taiwan, he challenges readers©©and former students, to expand their thinking to the next larger context. By embracing ecology, at a local, global and biosphere level, he urges us to view the world as complex and diverse. McHarg says that "By seeking the simple important aspects are omitted or ignored. Complex and diverse designs have a greater chance of being sustainable". Such advise will serve us well as we look at ways to help Potomac communities protect and prosper.

Professors McHarg and Steiner have provided all of us with unique and personalized ideology and ideas which we can use to better understand the places we live or work in. More importantly they reaffirm that our role and relationship with nature is essential as we design and regenerate our communities.


J. Glenn Eugster is the River Navigator for the Potomac American Heritage River. He works for EPA and is on detail to the National Park Service. He studied landscape architecture and ecological planning at the University of Pennsylvania with Professor McHarg from 1974©76. He still enjoys visits to Mr. McHarg's office.

LOS CAMINOS DEL RIO

LOS CAMINOS DEL RIO
REMARKS BY J. GLENN EUGSTER
Striking a Balance Between Economies and Ecology
McAllen, Texas
January 27, 1995

INTRODUCTION

MORE AND MORE COMMUNITIES TRYING TO BALANCE ECONOMY WITH ECOLOGYÄ Ä

MANY OTHER PLACES WITH A RICH AND IMPORTANT CULTURE, COMBINED WITH SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AND WILDLIFE VALUES.

PLACES LIKE VIRGINIA'S EASTERN SHORE; EDISTO RIVER BASIN IN SC;
PLATTEE RIVER VALLEY IN NEBRASKA; AND HERE IN LOS CAMINOS DEL RIO.
REGIONS, SUCH AS YOURS, WHICH STILL HAVE BOTH CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE VALUES ARE PLACES WHICH HAVE BEEN BLESSED.Ä Ä

HERITAGE CORRIDORS: A PROVEN APPROACH FOR UNIFYING COMMUNITIES AND INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY PRIORITIES.
WHAT MAKES THIS APPROACH DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS? MORE SCIENTIFIC; HOLLISTIC; DEMOCRATIC; POTENTIAL TO HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ECOLOGICAL VALUES;


HOW DO WE LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC SIDE OF HERITAGE CORRIDORS?
DEVELOPMENT AND ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION ARE INSEPERABLE.

ECONOMIC CONNECTION:

BENEFITS: 1) DIRECT ECONOMIC PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES, SERVICES

2) INDIRECT SECONDARY BENEFITS ACHIEVED THRU THE PROTECTION, PRESERVATION, INTERPRETATION AND USE OF LANDSCAPES, BUILDINGS, LIFESTYLES, CULTURES AND TRADITIONS.

PAST HERITAGE CORRIDORS HAVE PROVEN THAT BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT ECONOMIC BENEFITS ARE CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THESE PROJECTS.

HERITAGE AREA CONCEPT: Ä ÄORIGINALLY ENVISIONED AS A WAY TO COMBINE PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, TOURISM, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

RECOGNIZES NATURAL AND CULTURAL VALUES BUT IN AN ECOSYSTEM CONCEPT WHICH INCLUDES HUMANS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES. CONCEPT OF HUMAN ECOLOGY; IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLE AND LANDSCAPES HOLLISTIC APPROACH, MULTIDISCIPLINE AND MULTIOBJECTIVE.

MULTIOBJECTIVE???? KEY CONCEPT: SIMULTANEOUSLY ACHIEVE DIFFERENT GOALS WITHOUT DESTROYING VALUES & FUNCTIONS.

RECOGNITION OF VALUES IS AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF YOUR PLAN. REFLECTS SPECIAL PLACES AS WELL AS THE IMPORTANT QUALITIES OF THE EVERYDAY/ LIVING LANDSCAPE. PLAN IS THE HEART/ SPIRIT OF THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE. VALUES MOTIVATE. WE NEED KNOWLEDGE BUT MOTIVATION IS THE KEY TO THE FUTURE OF THESE CORRIDORS.

RECOGNIZING VALUES IS A WAY TO HOLD UP WHAT WE KNOW TO BE TRULY IMPORTANT. VALUES SUSTAIN EFFORTS. (IE. SACRED PLACES SUMMIT IN ANNAPOLIS, MD.)

WHY SHOULD EPA GET INVOLVED IN HERITAGE AREAS?

REMEMBER MY REFERENCE TO ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMICS!
EPA, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INTERESTS CAN, AND SHOULD BE, A PARTNER IN THESE EFFORTS.


ECONOMIC & ECOLOGIC CONNECTION: HOW DO THESE TWO VALUES FIT TOGETHER?

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE ECONOMIC©ECOLOGIC BALANCE IS DONE RANDOMLY.
DECISIONS ARE OFTEN UNRELATED, FAIL TO CONSIDER THE LARGER ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAN OFTEN CONFLICT. THESE EFFORTS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE A MORE APPROPRIATE AND BENEFICAL FIT.

1) DESIGN ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE©BASED ECONOMIC PROJECTS WITHIN YOUR CORRIDOR. INTEGRATE LOCAL IDEAS. SORT THRU AND IDENTIFY THE ONES THAT FIT THE COMMUNITIES VISION OF THE CORRIDOR. (IE. CRISFIELD, MD. TOWN MEETINGS©©©JENKINS CREEK RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER; D & L NATIONAL CORRIDOR©©AUDUBON'S LEHIGH; LACKAWANNA RIVER VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION CENTER )

2) VISUALIZE WHAT A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGIC BALANCE IS.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE? VISUALIZE WHAT THE LAND WILL LOOK LIKE; THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT; COMMUNITIES; (IE. BALTIMORE NEIGHBORHOODS©©©ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, CAREERS, BUSINESSES & EMPOWERMENT; ON THE DELMARVA PENNINSULA REGION LOCAL INTERESTS ARE USING THE LOCATION ON THE ATLANTIC FLYWAY MIGRATORY BIRD ROUTE AS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE HABITAT PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE USE AND DEVELOPMENT)

3) DETERMINE WHAT THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OR Ã ÃINDICATORSÄ Ä OF SUCCESSFUL ECONOMNY AND ECOLOGY ARE. TAKE A SNAP SHOT OF WHERE YOU ARE NOW

IN TERMS OF ACHIEVING THESE HERITAGE INDICATORS. THESE HERITAGE INDICATORS CAN BE DEVELOPED INTO QUANTIFIABLE GOALS TO ASSESS THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE CORRIDOR, MEASURE RESULTS, DEMONSTRATE BENEFITS; AND MAKE YOUR LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE.

ECONOMIC, COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS CAN BE USED TO HELP GUAGE HOW THE CORRIDOR IS DOING ECOLOGICALLY, SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY. THIS INFORMATION CAN BE USED TO TARGET FUTURE RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIONS. (CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM INDICATORS, CIVIC INDEX)

4) CONTINUE TO WORK WITH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY AND MULTIOBJECTIVE FOCUS. BRING THE INTERESTS AND EXPERTS TOGETHER WHO HAVE A STAKE IN THE ECONOMY AND THE ECOLOGY OF THE AREA. FIND COMMON GROUND.
(IE. VA EASTERN SHORE: ONE©STOP SHOP FOR BUSINESS ASSISTANCE TO HELP AND GUIDE DEVELOPMENT)

5) DIVERSIFY PARTNERSHIPS TO INCLUDE MORE ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGIC INTERESTS. (IE. SWPA; LACKAWANNA VALLEY; D&L; LOWER EASTERN SHORE©©NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY; USA COE; EPA; FS; FWS)

6) FOCUS ON INCREASING LOCAL CAPABILITES TO TAKE ACTION (IE. CONTINUE TO DOCUMENT LOCAL SUCCESS STORIES; BRING SERVICE PROVIDERS TO VALLEY; HELP COMMUNITIES HELP THEMSELVES)
(IE. EASTON WATERFOWL FESTIVAL RAISES MONEY FOR LOCAL PROJECTS)

7) CONTINUE TO TIE INTO OTHER NETWORKS INVOLVED IN THESE TYPES OF PARTNERSHIPS (IE. PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDIES; NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAMS; NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES; INTERNATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP EXCHANGE; MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS; PARTNERS IN FLIGHT, ETC)

8) FINALLY, CONTINUE TO DRAW ON THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER HERITAGE CORRIDORS. THESE APPROACHES HAVE BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN MANY AREAS AND THE RESULTS MAY BE HELPFUL IN ADVANCING YOUR WORK.

I WISH YOU SUCCESS IN YOUR WORK!!!! THANK YOU!




à Ã




Ä Ä

















à ÃBIOGRAPHY OF J. GLENN EUGSTER

GLENN EUGSTER IS THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT AT EPA'S CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM OFFICE. HIS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE WORKING WITH STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE GROUPS ON LAND, GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES WITHIN A 64,000 SQUARE MILE WATERSHED. GLENN'S CURRENT ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL HERITAGE PROJECTS WITHIN THE DELMARVA PENINSULA, SOUTHERN MARYLAND AND THE POTOMAC RIVER VALLEY. HE IS ALSO CURRENTLY INVOLVED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP EXCHANGE.

PRIOR TO JOINING EPA IN 1989, GLENN WORKED FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WHERE HE HELPED WITH THE DESIGNATION OF THE THE BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY AND THE DELAWARE AND LEHIGH CANAL AREAS AS NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDORS. HE ALSO CO©FOUNDED THE NPS'S RIVERS, TRAILS AND CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.



Ä Ä

DORCHESTER COUNTY HERITAGE TOURISM STUDY

DORCHESTER COUNTY HERITAGE TOURISM STUDY
DRAFT: RESULTS OF THE PUBLIC MEETINGS

Introduction & Background:

The Dorchester County Office of Tourism is coordinating the development of a county-wide heritage tourism plan. Heritage tourism will promote economic development activities while helping preserve the unique heritage of Dorchester County.

This short-term project will produce a plan to guide the county over the next several years as it develops its heritage program. In addition, the plan will be used to leverage state and federal monies for protection of the county’s’ heritage and economic revitalization. The plan will also enable the County to participate in, and take advantage of, a new state program established by House Bill 1. House Bill 1, the “Heritage Preservation and Tourism Areas” Act, intends to build upon Maryland’s potential for heritage tourism to promote economic development.

Over the past two months, the Dorchester County Office of Tourism held workshops to begin this effort. The workshops were designed to explore with county residents to identify opportunities for heritage tourism. The workshop attendees were asked the meaning of the heritage of Dorchester County through the following questions:

Ø What does the heritage of Dorchester County mean to you?
Ø What sections of Dorchester County best reflect heritage values and themes?
Ø What themes, events, activities and occupations best reflect the heritage of Dorchester County?
Ø What people are most associated with the heritage of Dorchester County?
Ø What buildings, structures, sites, and objects represent the heritage of Dorchester County?
Ø Are there current or recent projects that are intended to commemorate the heritage of Dorchester County?
Ø What would you include in a heritage project?
Ø Can you identify any economic development projects that could be generated by a heritage project?

The first workshop was kicked off by the Honorable Cass Taylor, the sponsor of House Bill 1, with about two hundred county residents participating. Other workshops were held at the Old Trinity Church and in Hurlock. The following is what Dorchester citizens said about the heritage of Dorchester County.
WHAT THE PUBLIC TOLD US ABOUT US ABOUT THE HERITAGE OF DORCHESTER COUNTY





I. Heritage Values: What does the heritage of Dorchester County mean to you?


A. Overall Heritage Themes and Values:

Something that can be documented
History/Tradition
Who are we? Where and how did we get here?
A shared positive or negative experience
Family
People, events - Why we are who we are
Retaining local color against all odds
Universal attributes, interests
Who we are, were, and will be
Religion, early /important roots
What makes us unique
Our Past
Associated with a place
Our Identity
Sequence of development (Indians; Colonial; States; etc)
Recreational heritage (Hunting, Trapping, Gunning)
What brings together
What divides
Livelihood of land and water
What do we want to believe in ourselves

B. Agricultural Heritage:

Agriculture was the earliest county enterprise (tobacco)
Area that has seen greatest amount of change. Modern agriculture is not at all similar to today's agriculture
Most peoples heritage is involved in a agricultural background
Shifts in the location of historic farms away from waterways to inland locations as transportation improved
Railroads influence on agriculture
C. Ethnic Heritage :

Most fasc ctry in wrld - we need to ake av of it
Many cultures to explore
All ethnic groups have a heritage - more aware; sensitive to diversity
Sd list groups - Indians, Celtic, British Isles, French, African , Hispanic, Asian, India East
Learning how we are dif, and learning how to enjoy it
Heritage and history (bring the two & us together)
Genealogy - foundation on Eshore

D. Maritime Heritage :

Local Racing Boats
Heritage from Cornwall, England
Annual Oxford/Cambridge Race
Tenn "Waterman" known during Elizabethan Era
Living area near water
Water was center of transportation
Industries -> crabbing, fishing
Sport and livelihood

E. Natural and Historic Landscape Heritage:

Sets stage and provides backdrop.
Natural environment description. Natural - undisturbed by man
Natural Resources: All of wildlife of Chesapeake Bay
Eagles!
Connects you with everybody
Where names come from (why there, why that name)
Historic - impact of man
What makes our area outstanding
Beginning - land grants
Enhancement & preservation
Saw it in real life
Sense of place



II. Places: What sections of Dorchester County best reflect heritage values and themes?


A. Overall Heritage:

The islands - Taylors, Hoopers, Elliots, James, Bishops, Neck District
Southern area - tobacco major crop, tomatoes, seafood
Marshes
North - grainfields
Creeks - steamboats - waterways
Rural communities, villages, cities, towns
Banks

Northern Area in county -- Agriculture
(Tied to transportation and cross-roads)
Pickles
Truck crops
Chicken
Corn
Soybeans
Cantaloupes
Two canneries

Southern Area in County -- Down Below
Water
Waterfowl
Seafood packing
Hunting
Boat building
Trapping
Marsh

Cambridge -- Center
Manufacturing -- Phillips Western
Transportation

Vienna -- historic



Ethnic
English
German
African
Migrants had impact on county

B. Agricultural Heritage

Earliest locations were along waterways
Changes in fanning practices have moved ag areas to different parts of county
Canneries, labor camps

C. Ethnic Heritage

South Dorchester - Robbins
Everywhere
Def whole co -
Most of old heritage is missing
It’s the people - records don't reflect there were Indians, Blacks, White
Society dictated how you act
Graveyards over top of each other
Indian heritage underground or in Canada
North Dorchester - fort at Secretary
Cambridge was an Indian reservation (Choptank)(2)
Vienna was major reservation (Nanticoke)
We are all related
MD was very ? on slaves - Indians adopted - against law to take them out
Church Creek (?) 1st Co Seat
Madison - 1st Court House (?)

D. Maritime Heritage

Every nook and every creek
Historically center of industry changed

E. Natural and Historic Landscape Heritage

Maritime - water - develop waterfront
Blackwater
Was isolated part of MD/Water
Neck District
Forestry
Taylors Island School House
Spocott Windmill
Hurlock
Old Trinity
Hoopers Island
School Houses
River - Bay how flows through co.
Churches
Landscapes seen from water - all different
Cemetaries
Vienna
Canning Houses
Downtown Cambridge
Barrel Factory
Waterfront
Need good walking trails/bike trails
Marshes
Scenic picnic areas / access
Horn Point
Routes/green spaces/motor trail
Elliott's Island
Marine tour/ steam boat tour
Need to attract tourists with money to spend
Birders Tour
Unemployed fishermen give tour of Waterman activities/marshes etc
Houseboat rental
Railroad greenway
Train tours
Lighthouse
Better marketing
Design to keep them here - destination point - not passing through



III. Events, activities, and occupations: What themes, events, activities and occupations best reflect the heritage of Dorchester County?


A. Overall Heritage:

Crab Feasts
Wildlife - Bird watching
Shipbuilding
Courting
Seafood
Church - Homecoming
Sawmills - lumber
Sports
Distilleries
Power Boats
Country Stores
Bicycle races
Food Packing
Skipjack races
Community centers
Underground RR
Grist mills
Outdoor Show
Education - schoolhouses
Grand National
Trapping - skinning - fur - fishing - hunting - waterfowl - deer
Cooking Muskrat
Bay Country Festival
Black Children's education - Stanley Institute
Farming
Market
Hunting
Military
Hunting (deer, fox, waterfowl, goose, duck)
Country stores
Blacksmiths -- implements
Sawmills
Church activities -- suppers
Methodist
Fire Departments (volunteer)
Religious camps
Shoe shop
Button Factory
Camp (?) Sisters
Woody Pinder (?)
Boat races
Watermen
Isolation
Lumber industry

B. Agricultural Heritage

Timber industries - cordwood hauling
Ag had its own social events centered around churches
County Fair
Wheat threshing by groups of neighboring farmers
Domestic arts - food preservations, canning
Bartering and trading at docks or mills
Windmills, milling
Distilleries
Butchering, tanneries
Blacksmithing
Fur traders, trapping

C. Ethnic Heritage

Fishing
Farming
Logging
Watermen
Farmers
Lumberjacks
Canning
Sawyers
Church - Camp Meetings, revivals
Parishes, Methodist Movement
Education
Slavery / Underground Railroad activity
Indentured Servants
Harriet Tubman Tour/ Community Day
Church Homecoming
Outdoor Show
Windmill Day
Family Reunions
Stanley Institute
Riverfest
Firehall/ Church dinners & bingo
Crabfeast
Muskrats/Other game
Fish Tournaments
Boating/Sail Regattas Powerboats

D. Maritime Heritage

Oystering
Boat building
Crabbing
Powerboat racing
Skipjacks
Draketail
Fishing
Waterfowl Hunting Steamboats
Fur trapping

E. Natural and Historic Landscape Heritage

Educate residents on what's here!
Farming
Sell county to ourselves
Outdoor Show
Working water
Country Fair
Grand National
Trapping
Hunting
Antique Show
Dorchester Showcase
Fishing
Craft Shows
Seafood Feast-I-Val
Sewing factories
Walking Tours
Christmas Parade
Boat building
Art Shows
Fireworks
Canning
Public Access to water
Warwick River fest
Scientist
Choral Arts
Cultural Day
Barrel Making
Mystery Events
Annie Oakley
Brewery
Golf
County Bay Festival
Horn Point
Fly-in
Boat Races
Local Bull Roast & dinner
Vienna Luminary
Ed. Art Show
Fire comp.
Museums
Athletic Events
Church Festivals
Campgrounds (ed. to keep clean & roadways)
Envirothon
Strawberry Festival
Triathlon



IV. People: What people are most associated with the heritage of Dorchester County?


A. Overall Heritage:

Farmers
Government Agencies
Watermen
Perfect example of rural America
Annie Oakley
Genealogy
Tom Flowers
Civic Organizations - fire co., maritime museums, church halls
5 governors produced
Military
Native Americans Lodges - Moose, Elk
Police, sheriff
Hunting Guides
“Mr. Gecko”-- chief
Sewell Fitzhugh
Harriet Tubman coalition
Phillips packing 1920 -- huge impact
Historical Society
Service Clubs --rotary
Farm Bureaus
Nausewaiwash (?) Tribe
Cambridge (Deep water port)
Vienna
East New Market
Negro Baseball league
Plantation economy
Maria Richardson -- St. care (?)
Civil rights (turning points)
Lumber industry
Taylors Island
Becky Phipps
Vienna -- Levin Dorsey ?
Rev. Samuel Green (assisted Harriet Tubman)

B. Agricultural Heritage
Historical Society
Neild Museum
Dorchester Heritage
Tobacco Stick (Madison) First Jail in County
Slaves, Freedmen, Migrant Workers
Collections of Ag-related items
Henry Handley, Lee Borton
Farm Bureau, 4-H
Tidewater Farm Club
Towns in county grew from crossroads in ag communities
Country Stores
Support from industries to preserve or promote ag-heritage ( Perdue, B&G, ag related companies)
John Adkins - motors
Mrs. Doris Rue - old farm machinery
Herbert Asplen

C. Ethnic Heritage

Harriet Tubman
Bucktown
Blackwater
Taylor Island
Cambridge
All townships
Askins
Tusgeegee Airman
African. Am./Native American Festival
Membership orgs - HTC, AFL, NAACP
Nausewaiwash
Gray Marsh -- Why called that yrs ago? (Safe Haven)
Names change with history
AME Church/Methodist Episcopal
Religious tolerance in American Colony
Quakers, Catholics

D. Maritime Heritage

Brannock Museum
Richardson Museum
Nathan
Yacht Maintenance
Brooks Shipyard
Barrel Making (Coopering)
Oyster Packing --Winterbottom; Phillips; Leonard
Church Creek
Madison
Secretary

E. Natural and Historic Landscape Heritage

Historical Society
Tom Flowers
Outdoor Foundation
People who do the real thing - reach out to them
“Chesapeake” by Michener
Annie Oakley
Old Churches - place in history
Harriet Tubman
Methodist, Quaker
First President of Liberia
Genealogical Society
MD Governors (Thomas Holiday Hicks)
Farm League Baseball
Anna Mae Carol
Civil War Regiments
Col. Crapo
Nathan of Dorchester
Patti Cannon
Jim Richardson & family
Indian Population
Friends of the Nanticoke
Key Wallace
Mason/Dixon Line Marker
CCC
Islands
Radcliffs
All towns
Phillips
East New Market
Rivers/Bay



V. What Buildings, structures, sites, and objects represent the heritage of Dorchester County?


A. Overall Heritage:

Dorchester Hospital
Old Trinity
National Bank
Grace Foundation School House/Chapel
Stanley Institute
Old Bethlehem Church
One room schoolhouse
First courthouse / Jail @ Madison
Spocott Community
Christ Church
Cambridge HS
Blackwater
Patty Cannon House
Historical Society
Historic High Street
Cambridge Creek
Homes of 5 governors
Horn Point - runway, labs, archeological dig
Preston home
Old Stores
Miss Nora's
Archeology
Old Button Factory
Train Station
Algonquin - Native American areas
Crab picking house
Cranberries
Workboats, skipjacks
Richardson Museum
Brannock Museum
Canals, ditches (Stewart canals)
Nanticoke reservation
Choptank reservation
Birthplace -- Harriet Tubman
High Street
Old Trinity
Railroads
Spocot community
Steamboats/wharves
Watermills
Courthouse
Bucktown
African American lodges
Gentlemen’s clubs
Native American artifacts
Brooks barrels
Cemeteries
Stanley Institute
Friendship Hall
House of hinges ?
Skipjacks -- Nathan ?
Yacht clubs
Horn Pt.
Bridge -- Emerson Harrington
Andrew canning

B. Agricultural Heritage

Spocott Mill
Neild Museum
Tile Silos
Old Barns - graineries
Dorchester Heritage Museum
Wharves used for ag transportation
Old canneries and packing houses
John Lewis' store - Hudson Road (rt. 343)
Nora Foxwell's Store
Brooks Barrel Company

C. Ethnic Heritage

Stanley Institute
Bazzel Church
All Church Sites - Old Trinity, Grace Church, Oldfield, Bethel, Waugh, Mt. Zion (ENMArket)
Life of African Am community resides wherever there is church
Cemeteries - reference sources
Schoolhouses - what happened to them
Railroad stations
Old Jail
Residential and commercial activities
Spring Valley
High Street - Pine Street
Long Wharf

D. Maritime Heritage

The Nathan
Yacht Maintenance (Prior to Civil War)
Long Wharf
Port of Cambridge
Cambridge Creek
Slaughter Creek
Hoopers Island
Series of Steamboat Landings
Vienna - Custom House

E. Natural and Historic Landscape Heritage

Fishing Pier
Meredith House
Cobblestone Street
Draw Bridge
Brannock Maritime Museum



VI. Current or recent Dorchester heritage projects: Are there current or recent projects that are intended to commemorate the heritage of Dorchester County?


A. Overall Heritage:

Sailwinds /Visitor Foundation Center
Museums
National Outdoor Show
Castle Haven
Eastern Shore Hospital
Indian Cove
Horn Point Environmental Center
Nathan of Dorchester
Annie Oakley Festival
Seafood Feast-I-VAl
Micro Brewery Beer Fest
Bay Country Festival
Shad
Fly In
CBF @ Bishop's Head
Vienna / ENM Festival
Antique Shops
Various Restorations/renovations
Pride of Balt. & CG Port of layovers
Power Boat racer Hall of Fame
Lighthouse Committee
Historical Society -- video of facilities
Nathan
Richardson Museum
Annie Oakley festival
Hurlock train station
Cemetery restoration
Visitor Center/Sailwinds
Towns of Vienna and East New Market
Outdoor show
Bay Country Festival
ARC
Blackwater
Mural
Seafood Feastival
? National
Tudor farms
Arville
CEES
Rooster Island -- powerboats
Ducks Unlimited
Chik (?) Fest
Town festivals
Christmas parade
Fireworks
Country line dancing
Arts Center
Unity players
Raft race

B. Agricultural Heritage

Recognition of Century Farms (MD)
Recognition of Bi-centennial farms (Federal)
Chicken Festival
Fall Festival
4-H Fair
Harvest Breakfast
Spocott Windmill Day May 4th!!
Outdoor Show

C. Ethnic Heritage

Community Day
Harriet Tubman Day
Harriet Tubman Tours
Outdoor Show
Reunions / homecomings
Native Am Festival
Historic Preservation
Bay Country Festival
Walking Tours - Cambridge, Vienna, E N Market
Pedicab
Oldfield Day/ on Memorial Day/ Beverly School
Various Museums
Oldest person in community

D. Maritime Heritage

The Nathan
Richardson museum
Brannock museum
Sail Regatta - Admiral Byrd Series
Model Boat Races
Old Trinity Dock
Log Canoe Races
Power Boat Races
Workboat Races



VII. Potential Dorchester County Heritage Economic Development Projects


A. Overall Heritage:

Fishing parties
crabbing parties
Renos and construction
Air/Flight/Boat service
Boat Rentals
Marinas (wider spread), fuel depots
Direct transportation to Wash/Balt
Bus Tours
Hotels, motels, B&Bs
Put county-city together to talk to hotel chains
Encourage tourism services thru ordinances
Improve existing hotel/motel standards
What are we going to do about services now?
Attract economically able people
Regular bus service
Need sufficient industry for people who work here
- Broader spectrum
- Tourism can help
- Golf course needed
- Public Beach
Kick start and long term strategy
Remove restrictive B&B ordinances
ID problems which need to be solved - after next meeting
Telecommunicating - corporate center
Ask candidates about heritage tourism and hold them to their commitments
Package the heritage tourism product
Polish up our act
Learn from organizations that have done things on their own. Get more people on the
Dorchester Co. band wagon
Learn from other communities (e.g. Cape Charles)
Try to get the church community on the same page
Expand tourism services -- hotels
Small business support/better infrastructure (encouraging -- training, workshops, speakers, coop with Chamber to preserve heritage)
Revise B&B ordinances
Govts develop cooperative program
Downtown revitalizations -- all towns; key is tourism
Strategy to coordinate museums
Political advocacy to opening businesses (anti-bureaucratic mentality)

B. Agricultural heritage


C. Ethnic Heritage

Museums
Tours ( HT in development)
Bike Tours
Walking Tours
Driving tours
Pine Street Revitalization
Historical Research
Oral Histories
Mural
Harriet Tubman
Railroad - redevelop
Homepage / Internet
Shore-to-shore R.R.
Cannery Museum
Crabs - Oysters - Fish - Vegetables
Garment Industry - Secretary, Cambridge, Hurlock


D. Maritime Heritage

Hotel Rooms
RV Parks
Port of Call Destinations
Expanded Marine/Dock Facilities

E. Natural and historic landscapes heritage

Renovations (Historical)
Continued development
Industrial park
Hurlock Train Station
Cambridge airport development
Downtown Cambridge
Good auctions/craft shows
Good Restaurants
Map of antique stores
More picnic areas
Education for boaters
Better/cleaner/more campgrounds
Public transportation
Rest stops
Brew pubs
Natural guide tours
Cleaning up projects
Historical guide tours
Highway improvements
Docking facilities throughout county
Fueling facilities
Bridge
Hotels/motels
Public fishing pier & parking
Public beach / playground
Blackwater/Little Blackwater



VIII. What would you include in a heritage project?


A. Overall Heritage:

Visitor Center - Sailwinds
Exhibit Area(s)
Common Signs
Historical Markers
Driving/Bicycle Tour
Big Map
Visitor Center at Long Wharf, Gootees Marina
Kiosks
Picnic Centers, rest areas, restrooms
Bike lanes, tours
Coordinate and consolidate maritime museums - near the water
Plan for museums
Visitor centers/museums in Southern part of county
Bed and breakfast tours
Encourage Blackwater NWR to become a general Southern Dorchester County Visitor
Center
Bicycle Rentals
Workshops for small businesses
Make Big house at Blackwater a B&B
Use Old Trinity facilities for volunteer training (Linthicum Property)
Develop Elder Hostels
Ask NPS to arrange for private contractors to provide services
Piers, parking on Little Blackwater
Boat ramps, parking
Hospitality and volunteer training
Train excursions (Route 50 is a barrier)
Longhouse -- house for native American collection
Better Harriet Tubman commemoration
-- African American Heritage freedom trail
-- Tubmen -- Rap Brown
-- Community/Plantation
Organize itineraries “small town” Life
-- quilting
-- church suppers
-- food culture
Tour guide service/training certification
(Tubman, Manufacturing, Brewery, Farm Tours, Boat, crab packing)
Stories folktale
Oral histories
Lots of research
Educational/Heritage programs:
Nathan --interaction with Bay
Tonging demos
Aquarium - interpreting/living exhibits
Lighthouse at Longwharf (complementary to landscape)
Tourism reception
Preserve Sharp’s Island
Move hospital -- develop property -- hotel
Expand tourism services
Boater access to visitor center

B. Agricultural heritage

Oral histories; video - from those that recall earlier agriculture William Brown, Earl
Asplen
Recorded history of Arthur Jones
Search out family histories, document historical events
Demonstrations of ag-related crafts
Donation of items for Country Store museum - Lloyd's Country Store
Current farmers markets
Lime kiln (oyster shells)

C. Ethnic heritage

Indian Trails
1580 house
Shortees Wharf site (steamboats)
Markers / Label sites, streams
Harriet Tubman interpretive site
Native Am interpretive site
Research to support oral history
Needs to be accurate
W?
Evolution of pub housing
Health care industry
Seafood industry
Wildfowl industry
Canning
Exceptional individuals in any ethnic group - work
Steven Vincent
John Driver
Steven W. Camper
Gloria Richardson
Re-enactments - living history presentations
F.D. St. Claire (School, Dr. Atty, Mortitions)
Hansel Green
Elsie (Photography)
Tories stayed after Rev. War
Prisoner of War Camp

D. Maritime heritage

Steamboat
Tour Boat on the Choptank
Self-Guided Tour of Maritime Heritage
Maritime Heritage Festival
Directory of Maritime History Sites
Workboat Races
Raft Races
Museum of Industries relying on marine heritage - ie: packing houses

E. Natural and Historic Landscape Heritage



IX. Additional Themes & Values:


A. Overall:

Religion

B. Agricultural heritage

C. Ethnic Heritage

Canning museum
Multicultural Heritage Theme
Should have event to include individual cultures - even if small - festival open to everybody
Make children a part - activities, events, opportunities to wk as volunteers
Foods - multicultural dinner
A real family reunion - everybody try to figure how related (ie: Somerset N.C.)

D. Maritime Heritage

Industrial/Transportation Link
Political Heritage
1st Concrete Highway in MD - 16
Role of County in War 1812
Becky Phipps - Re-enactment Program
Native American Influence

E. Natural and Historic Landscape Heritage



For further information contact Wini Roche at 410-228-1000.