The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society

The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society The primary goal is to share the history of African Americans in order to describe the role they pla
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We describe, interpret, protect and celebrate the living legacy of African Americans who contributed to the defenses of Washington, D.C. at Fort Ward in an effort to win their own freedom which has led to a more perfect Union.

Notice:Festivities cancelled for Sunday, June 10 Check back later
06/07/2018

Notice:
Festivities cancelled for
Sunday, June 10

Check back later

06/07/2018

Ft. Ward Commeration Ceremony is temporally postponed. Will notify of new date

Older posting but still relevant
05/14/2018

Older posting but still relevant

01/05/2018

CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Starting 2018 off with a cover photo of the VTS Annual Report: Dedication of St. Cyprian's labrinth on Seminary grounds!

We made the cover of Virginia Theological Seminary’s 2017 Annual Report

01/05/2018

We made the cover of Virginia Theological Seminary’s 2017 Annual Report

10/11/2017

Photos from today's Virginia Theological Seminary's dedication of the St. Cyprian's Labyrinth honoring our Ft. Ward and Seminary African American ancestors who lived, worked and worshipped on or near its grounds.

09/30/2017

WE WANT ALL DESCENDANTS, Cravens, Randalls, Wanzers, Terrells, Caseys, Belks, Adams, Halls, Ashbys, Woods, Johnsons, Simms, Colberts, Brooks, Bradbys, Henrys, Lewis, et. al, to COME TO THE DEDICATION, on WEDNESDAY, October 11 at 12:30 p.m.

HERE IS THE INVITATION:

Dear Ms. Washington:

Greetings from VTS and the African American Episcopal Historical Collection! I believe I last ran into you at Episcopal High’s MLK commemoration. I do hope all has been well with you since then.

Earlier this year, the seminary’s graduating class of 2017, along with the class of 2009, donated funds to create a labyrinth on campus, and they decided to name it in honor of St. Cyprian’s Chapel. It will be formally dedicated during our Alumni Convocation on Wednesday, October 11 at 12:30 pm.

It is my privilege to invite you to this event. Given your dedication to the history of this city, we would be honored if you would join us. Please let me know if you can make it, and I can provide you with further information about the location of the labyrinth.

We would also love to have descendants of the St. Cyprian’s community present on this occasion. I wonder—do you have a sense of the best way to spread the word to them? Any ideas you have in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for your time and attention, and I look forward to hearing from you.

All the best,
Joe

Joseph Downing Thompson, Jr., Ph.D.,
Archivist for the African American Episcopal Historical Collection,
Visiting Professor of African American Studies, and Director of Multicultural Ministries

Virginia Theological Seminary Box 148
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

703-461-1732
[email protected]

06/14/2017
The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society

Come Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m, at Ft. Ward Park, to HONOR OUR PAST with ceremony, song, prayers and memories.

REMINDER: Our rescheduled annual program commemorating our Ft. Ward and Seminary ancestors is THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 17, from 10 am to 11 am at Ft. Ward Park, West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22304:

HONORING OUR PAST: A Birthday Celebration honoring Clara Adams and Fort Ward's Rich African American History.

Program includes, prayers, wreath laying, well wishes from city leaders, remembrances from descendants and a walking tour following the program.

SEE YOU THERE!

06/14/2017

REMINDER: Our rescheduled annual program commemorating our Ft. Ward and Seminary ancestors is THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 17, from 10 am to 11 am at Ft. Ward Park, West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22304:

HONORING OUR PAST: A Birthday Celebration honoring Clara Adams and Fort Ward's Rich African American History.

Program includes, prayers, wreath laying, well wishes from city leaders, remembrances from descendants and a walking tour following the program.

SEE YOU THERE!

05/11/2017
The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 130 p.m at Ft. Ward Park; annual ancestors' commemoration at "Aunt Clara's" gravesite.

HI FOLKS! It's that time again, and we are planning our annual tribute to our "Fort" ancestors with the gravesite tribute to "Aunt Clara" Adams on Sunday, June 4 (after church services somewhere between 1-130 pm.) We will lay flowers, have prayers, sing a few spirituals AND tell tales about the old days at "the Fort."
Let us know here with a comment, on if you're able to come. Love to see old familiar faces!

05/11/2017

HI FOLKS! It's that time again, and we are planning our annual tribute to our "Fort" ancestors with the gravesite tribute to "Aunt Clara" Adams on Sunday, June 4 (after church services somewhere between 1-130 pm.) We will lay flowers, have prayers, sing a few spirituals AND tell tales about the old days at "the Fort."
Let us know here with a comment, on if you're able to come. Love to see old familiar faces!

04/11/2017

The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society

04/11/2017

Profile Pictures

04/11/2017

The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society's cover photo

04/07/2017

FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 10 AM TO 4 PM; FT. WARD PARK, BRADDOCK ROAD, ALEXANDRIA, VA.

Hi Descendants, We are NEED VOLUNTEERS to staff The Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society information table at Ft. Ward's first event featuring USCT (US Colored Troops) reenactors and famous abolitionist characters like Frederick Douglass and Harriett Tubman. If you can't volunteer to pass out flyers and talk about our "Fort" community, come out and support the program that sheds light on the how African Americans fought for their freedom during the Civil War.
Call 703-628-1726 for more details.

02/18/2017
ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

Congressman Elijah Cummings who represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives wrote a column for the Afro-American Newspapers entitled “A Lesson from Black History” discussing the mission of ASALH and this year’s black history month theme. Representative Elijah E. Cummings

02/09/2017

Also hear Ft. Ward descendant Adrienne Terrell Washington give her weekly political roundup.

Don’t miss ASALH’s executive director Sylvia Cyrus discuss the 91st annual black history luncheon on the Lyndia Grant show on 2.10.17 at 6pm (EST).

Listen online: http://ow.ly/L6GC308Rp5e

02/04/2017

ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

“Be ready. Be qualified. Own something. Be somebody. That’s black power.” - Singer James Brown. Register for the on Saturday, Feb. 25th. https://asalh100.org/

02/01/2017

ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

Carter G. Woodson’s home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and later established as a National Historic Site by the National Park Service for its national significance in African American cultural heritage. ASALH was originally headquartered in the home until 1970. Register for the on Saturday, Feb. 25th. https://asalh100.org/

01/30/2017

ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

Rev. Dr. Gwen Boyd, 22nd President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Ingrid Saunders Jones, president of the National Council of Negro Women, will participate in a special presentation of the new Dorothy Height US Postal stamp at ASALH’s annual black history luncheon on Saturday, February 25. Height is honored as the 40th stamp in the Black Heritage Forever series. The civil rights activist and icon was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for forty years and served as a national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Register for the luncheon: https://asalh100.org/

01/26/2017
The Fight to Revive Virginia's Historic Black Cemeteries | WAMU

The Fight to Revive Virginia's Historic Black Cemeteries | WAMU

pFor roughly a century, the state of Virginia has funded the maintenance and upkeep of confederate cemeteries, but no such funding has been designated for historic African American burial grounds./p

09/23/2016

For those who descendants who don't know: Oakland Baptist Church is celebrating its 125th anniversary this weekend with Family and Friends activities Saturday and Sunday with 2 services 10 am & 3 p.m.) Yes, "We're Still Here!"

07/26/2016

Spent weekend giving mini-lectures on behalf of the Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society about our ancestors to teen archeology campers from Alexandria and the National Park Service, as well as older folks attending the Wanzer Family Reunion.

06/11/2016

REMINDER:
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1.pm.

We will be hosting our annual commemoration of Clara Adams' birthday on Sunday, June 11 at 1 p.m., with a brief ceremony of prayer, song and flowers. Although we honor Clara Adams, she is a symbol to represent ALL our descendant families to whom we are indebted for founding and fostering our Fort and Seminary community which is still standing after 150 plus years. We will also provide a brief update on the work we are doing in conjunction with the City of Alexandria to preserve our history.
Love to see relatives of some of our descendant families, such as the Wanzers, Roys, Adams, Caseys, Terrells, Johnsons, Woods, Belks, Randall's, Ashbys, Jacksons, Brooks, Bradbys, McKnights, Lewis, Henry's, etc.
Questions: call Adrienne Terrell Washington, 703-628-1726

06/06/2016

Fort Ward Drainage Improvements Moving Forward

From: David Fehr
Date: June 6, 2016, 11:43:20 AM EDT
To: "[email protected]" , "[email protected]" , "[email protected]" , "[email protected]" , Francine Bromberg
Cc: Tafesse Gyes , Brian Rahal , "Joel Koziol ([email protected])" , Lisa Robrahn
Subject: Fort Ward Drainage Improvements

All,

Please be advised the city expects to commence construction of the proposed drainage improvements within approximately two weeks.
The contractor is JK Construction.

Contractor point of contact is Joel Kolziol
[email protected]
(301) 674-5074


I will not be available to respond to this email for a month.
Any questions or concerns please contact Tafesse Gyes 703-746-4051

David Fehr, P.E.
City of Alexandria
Department of Project Implementation
Room 3200
301 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.746.4060 (direct)
703.282.9619 (mobile)
www.alexandriava.gov

06/03/2016

NOTICE:
We are POSTPONING are annual commemoration of Clara Adams's birthday on Sunday, June 5 due to muddy conditions at the Fort and to the weather forecast for even more rain. Thanks to Susan Cumbey of the Ft. Ward Museum for having the grass mowed around Aunt Clara's grave which I hope will hold until next Sunday, June 12, after Oakland Baptist Church service.
As is our annual custom, we use this time to honor all our ancestors who lived and worked at "The Fort" with a brief ceremony of prayer, song and a wreath laying. If anyone has questions or would like to contribute to the cost of a wreath, please contact me at 703-628-1726 or Brenda Adams at [email protected].
Thanks,
Adrienne Terrell Washington
Director of the Ft. Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society.

02/04/2016
Hidden City Philadelphia

Hidden City Philadelphia

Black culture and historic preservation in conversation. Co-editor Michael Bixler talks with activist and All That Philly Jazz director Faye Anderson about the Malcolm X house in Sharswood and the state of saving built African American heritage.

02/04/2016
African American Song

African American Song

http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200197451/

From rappers like André 3000 (1975–) and pop stars like Michael Jackson (1958–2009), to opera singers like Denyce Graves (1964–) and gospel artists like Yolanda Adams (1961–), African American vocal artists continue to shake up and shape the musical culture of the United…

02/04/2016
Dominion To Award $1 Million In Environmental Grants

Dominion To Award $1 Million In Environmental Grants
http://www.alexandrianews.org/dominion-to-award-1-million-in-environmental-grants/

Dominion Resources announced that it will provide $1 million in environmental
stewardship grants to eligible nonprofit organizations in its service area.
Applications for up to $50,000 each are due by March 1, 2016.

Dominion Resources announced that it will provide $1 million in environmental stewardship grants to eligible nonprofit organizations in its service area. Applications for up to $50,000 each are due by March 1, 2016.

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Alexandria, VA
22304

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