BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION
by
Mary Munsell Abroe

Newtonia and Historic Ritchey Mansion Hit by Tornado: Kay Hively of the Newtonia (Missouri) Battlefields Protection Association (NBPA) stated the following in a special insert in her group’s latest newsletter: “A massive tornado swept across Newton County, from west to east, in the early evening of Saturday, May 10.  The village of Newtonia took a direct hit.  At this time (Sunday morning, May 11)...there is a big portion of the [Ritchey] Mansion House roof gone, [and] both chimneys are gone.  Many windows are blown out.  All the trusses in the roof are twisted and glass from broken windows is in the house.  Most every tree is down as well as electric wires everywhere....These are the current Battles of Newtonia....”
            In the weeks since the tornado, both professionals and volunteers have been working to stabilize the structure, make repairs, and clean up the site.  The NBPA, which purchased the Ritchey Mansion (witness to two Civil War battles ) with financial support from the CWRT of Chicago and other preservationists, has insurance on the structure; insurance does not cover outbuildings nor the cost of cleanup.  To deal with this emergency and help our friends in the NBPA cope with costs not covered by insurance, the BPF committee has voted to send the Newtonia group $2,500 from our Battlefield Preservation Fund.  Individuals wishing to help may send donations to Kay Hively, 600 West Hickory, Neosho, Missouri 64850; make the check payable to “Newtonia Battlefields Protection Association.”
            Additional information is available on the Web site of the Civil War Preservation Trust at www.civilwar.org; see the link to photos of “Ritchey House-Tornado Damage.”  Another useful source is the online edition of the local Joplin (Missouri) Globe. 
Battlefield Preservation Fund Committee Met in February: The BPF committee of the CWRT met on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the home of chair Rob Girardi.  (All members in good standing of the CWRT are invited to attend BPF committee meetings)  Those present were Mary Abroe, Jim Cunningham, Rob Girardi, Jerome Kowalski, Brian Seiter, and Bob Stoller.  Minutes are as follows:
1.) BPF treasurer Mary Abroe reported that the Executive Committee of the CWRT, at its January 2008 meeting, had approved the following transfer of funds from the general treasury of the CWRT to the Battlefield Preservation Fund: $1,000 (restricted) for the purchase of books (from Broadfoot Publishing Company) for the monthly book drawing that benefits battlefield preservation; $5,000 (restricted) for the Glendale campaign of the Civil War Preservation Trust; and $5,000 (unrestricted) for general preservation projects.  Treasurer Abroe reported that the BPF balance prior to the aforementioned influx of monies stood at about $5,800.
2.) $500 commitments of the monthly book drawing/silent auction for the remainder of FY 2007-08 are as follows: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation (February); Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans (March); Mt. Zion Church/Aldie, Virginia (April); Glorieta Pass/unit of Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico (May); and Fort Morgan State Park/Mobile Bay, Alabama (June).
3.) The offering of Civil War-themed notecards bearing the artwork of late member Jerry Warshaw (with a suggested donation of $10 a box) had amassed $200-plus thus far.  Bob Stoller reported that the offering of CDs of the 2007 Washington tour (with a suggested donation of $20 per CD) had amassed $380 thus far.
4.) Jerome Kowalski reported on offering CWRT members the possibility of naming the Battlefield Preservation Fund as a beneficiary on life insurance policies; he agreed to investigate further and provide information, in the form of a flyer, to the membership.
5.) The committee voted to promote/publicize the monthly book drawing and to set $10 as a minimum bid for the monthly silent auction.
6.) The next meeting of the BPF committee will be on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 9:00 A.M.  The meeting will take place at Rob Girardi’s home, 8455 W. Berwyn, 2nd Floor, Chicago.  If you plan to attend, please contact Rob at cvlwarguy@aol.com>
Bearss Award Goes to Wilson’s Creek and Pea Ridge: During the recent CWRT Shiloh/Corinth tour, Ed Bearss announced his choices as co-winners of the seventh annual Edwin C. Bearss Preservation Award: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation and Pea Ridge National Military Park.  As has been the case in recent years, our contributors’ generosity–a sign of abiding affection and respect for Ed–again provides us with funding for two awardees.  Each receives $1,000 from the Battlefield Preservation Fund of the CWRT of Chicago in recognition of this honor–along with the gratitude of Round Table members and preservationists everywhere for jobs well done.                                                                                               
            When informed of the award, Supt. John Scott of Pea Ridge said the following to CWRT members and Ed Bearss: “Thank you for all you do (for battlefield preservation)!”  Supt. Scott indicated that he likely will use the financial award to further open up the area near Elkhorn Tavern and Broad Ridge, where a cannon emplacement has been located already as part of the restoration of a historic artillery position.  April McDonough and Roseann Blunt of the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation also expressed their gratitude to the CWRT and Ed Bearss and noted that their group will use the $1,000 where the need is greatest.
CWRT Receives Letter of Thanks from Johnson’s Island Group:  Dr. David Bush, chair of the Friends and Descendants of Johnson’s Island Civil War Prison, recently expressed the following in response to the CWRT’s renewal of its membership: “Thank you very much for your recent gift of $250 to the Friends and Descendants of Johnson’s Island Civil War Prison.  Your organization’s support of historic preservation allows us to remain steadfast in our goal to permanently safeguard and maintain the island for future educational, interpretive and research programs....Again, many thanks for your commitment to...our mission of preserving a significant Civil War site.  You have our continued gratitude and appreciation.”

Members are encouraged to send donations to BPF Treasurer Mary Abroe, 212 Woodbine Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091-3332.  Please make checks payable to “Battlefield Preservation Fund/CWRT”.  Thank you!