An historic marker has been placed at the site where the Confederate Government building once stood. It had been in the area before, but was removed when the new Renaissance Hotel and Civic Center were being built with the assurance that it would be put back after the construction was finished.
Why is it controversial? Because it depicts the Confederate Battle flag on one side of it and the various flags and "great seal" of the Confederacy on the other side. Honestly, I thought we were "over that" but I guess there are always people who want to stir up issues.
Here is what I think: lets get past the "controversy" and let facts be facts. As General Napier said, "I don't believe that you rewrite history. You take it as it is - the good, the bad and the ugly."
I also like what Lee Sentell, Alabama Tourism Director said: "To me, history is more powerful when you feel like you are standing on a place that is hallowed ground to a certain segment of the population. History happened where it happened".
Lets always remember, the War is over and we are once again one nation under God. That doesn't happen with many countries, so the United States of America is unique in many, many ways. Lets celebrate our unity as well as be proud of our diversity.
To read the article go to Montgomery Advertiser.com. If you have comments, we welcome them!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Jefferson Davis's 203rd Birthday Tomorrow
Tomorrow, June 3rd as always we will celebrate Jefferson Davis's birthday. It will be an important one as they all are. 203 years - wow, and still celebrating!!!
Senator Dick Brewbaker will speak at 11:00. Afterwards Eva Newman's wonderful made from scratch birthday cake. Please join us if you are able!!!
Hope to see you there. More news later...the marker downtown made the paper today...will blog about this shortly.
Senator Dick Brewbaker will speak at 11:00. Afterwards Eva Newman's wonderful made from scratch birthday cake. Please join us if you are able!!!
Hope to see you there. More news later...the marker downtown made the paper today...will blog about this shortly.
Jefferson Davis's Sword, Rifle & Walking Stick
If you were a little boy, wouldn't you love to get into one of those cases in the Relic Room in the First White House of the Confederacy? Especially the one with Jefferson Davis' sword, Rifle & Walking Stick. Since you are probably still a little kid at heart, let me tell you about them.
The sword is what is known as a "presentation sword". The handsome scabbard and hilt are of brass, probably once gilded and inlaid with silver. It is a "non-regulation staff and field officer's sword" from the mid-19th century, made in France, all intact and in fine condition. It was purchased by Mrs. Napier at the sale of the possessions of William Hayes in Colorado Spring and therefore a Davis family heirloom.
The rifle is an historic United States Army muzzle-loading Mississippi Rifle, Model # 1841, made at the Harper's Ferry Arsenal and carried by Col. Jefferson Davis in the Mexican War, 1846-48. It is a type called a "Flanigan" rifle. It was purchased in 1977 by the White House Association from Norm Flayderman & Co. Historic Arms and Militaria, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Walking Stick is either bamboo, or possibly hardwood with bamboo turning, of a simple form, with an engraved gold head. This historic walking stick was given by President Franklin Pierce to Jefferson Davis, when he was serving in the Pierce cabinet as Secretary of War. It was donated by Mrs. Hudson Strode in 1976.
We are so fortunate to have these artifacts as well as so many others in the First White House of the Confederacy.
The sword is what is known as a "presentation sword". The handsome scabbard and hilt are of brass, probably once gilded and inlaid with silver. It is a "non-regulation staff and field officer's sword" from the mid-19th century, made in France, all intact and in fine condition. It was purchased by Mrs. Napier at the sale of the possessions of William Hayes in Colorado Spring and therefore a Davis family heirloom.
The rifle is an historic United States Army muzzle-loading Mississippi Rifle, Model # 1841, made at the Harper's Ferry Arsenal and carried by Col. Jefferson Davis in the Mexican War, 1846-48. It is a type called a "Flanigan" rifle. It was purchased in 1977 by the White House Association from Norm Flayderman & Co. Historic Arms and Militaria, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Walking Stick is either bamboo, or possibly hardwood with bamboo turning, of a simple form, with an engraved gold head. This historic walking stick was given by President Franklin Pierce to Jefferson Davis, when he was serving in the Pierce cabinet as Secretary of War. It was donated by Mrs. Hudson Strode in 1976.
We are so fortunate to have these artifacts as well as so many others in the First White House of the Confederacy.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Articles Owned By Jefferson Davis In Our Relic Room
The First White House of the Confederacy is so fortunate to have been given many personal items owned by either President or Mrs. Davis or the Davis family, and a number of them are in cases in our relic room.
One of the most striking things is an historic uniform made for and given to President Davis of cloth woven in Virginia. This grey uniform was presented by General Jubal Early. It consists of a coat, vest and trousers, all in mint condition.
The case with his uniform also contains his smoking jacket of grey tweed, lined in a tartan fabric. It has frog closurs and is a handsome and unusual garment, in excellent condition.Also in this case is his paisley dressing gown, lined in quilted grey silk
Other things in the case are a backgammon set which was made on the Davis plantation at Brierfield, his broad brimmed sun hat, which he wore during his last years at Beauvoir, and a pair of shoes, high top slippers of pull on type, no laces.
Tomorrow I will tell you about his sword, walking stick and rifle, also in this case. I know you want to come see these things and I hope it will be soon!
One of the most striking things is an historic uniform made for and given to President Davis of cloth woven in Virginia. This grey uniform was presented by General Jubal Early. It consists of a coat, vest and trousers, all in mint condition.
The case with his uniform also contains his smoking jacket of grey tweed, lined in a tartan fabric. It has frog closurs and is a handsome and unusual garment, in excellent condition.Also in this case is his paisley dressing gown, lined in quilted grey silk
Other things in the case are a backgammon set which was made on the Davis plantation at Brierfield, his broad brimmed sun hat, which he wore during his last years at Beauvoir, and a pair of shoes, high top slippers of pull on type, no laces.
Tomorrow I will tell you about his sword, walking stick and rifle, also in this case. I know you want to come see these things and I hope it will be soon!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Mrs. Davis's New York Bedroom Furniture
When Mrs. Davis died in the Majestic Hotel in NYC a group of four pieces of furniture from her room was sent to the First White House under the direction of her daughter, Margaret.
These include first, a simple walnut bed in which Mrs. Davis died. Second, an oak bureau with two long drawers and two short ones, standing on modified cabriolet legs. Wishbone supports hold the horizontal oval dressing mirror. The mirror has a carved crest and a beveled glass.
The third piece was an oak folding bed of unusual form. The bed fits into a paneled case which looks like a large desk or bureau when closed. This folding bed was used by Winnie Davis, who slept in the room with her mother before her premature death in 1898. (and you thought pullman beds were new!)
The fourth piece is an oak wardrobe with Gothic arches in the doors and a projected molded cornice and bracket feet, made in a style very similar to that of wardrobes of the 1850's. This example however is factory-made and of oak, which places it strongly within the design idiom of the turn of the century.
Another item of great interest in this room is a curved brick from the wall of the well of the FWH where it was originally built on Bibb Street. This well probably dated from the first construction by William Sayre in the 1830's and the brick in it was made by slaves.
More about the rooms in the First White House in my next blog. Come see us!
These include first, a simple walnut bed in which Mrs. Davis died. Second, an oak bureau with two long drawers and two short ones, standing on modified cabriolet legs. Wishbone supports hold the horizontal oval dressing mirror. The mirror has a carved crest and a beveled glass.
The third piece was an oak folding bed of unusual form. The bed fits into a paneled case which looks like a large desk or bureau when closed. This folding bed was used by Winnie Davis, who slept in the room with her mother before her premature death in 1898. (and you thought pullman beds were new!)
The fourth piece is an oak wardrobe with Gothic arches in the doors and a projected molded cornice and bracket feet, made in a style very similar to that of wardrobes of the 1850's. This example however is factory-made and of oak, which places it strongly within the design idiom of the turn of the century.
Another item of great interest in this room is a curved brick from the wall of the well of the FWH where it was originally built on Bibb Street. This well probably dated from the first construction by William Sayre in the 1830's and the brick in it was made by slaves.
More about the rooms in the First White House in my next blog. Come see us!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Observatiions on Memorial Day
Those of us who were "born and bred in the Brier patch" remember that once upon a time, the South did not celebrate the last Monday in May as "Memorial day" but April 26, which is considered Confederate Memorial Day, a day to honor those who died fighting for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.
So we now "celebrate" both days. It is true that "Memorial Day" has re-invented itself as a "day to celebrate all wars" but the fact remains that "Memorial Day" (last Monday in May) was begun as a celebration of the Northern soldiers that died in the War for Northern Aggression.
Not only so, but it was patterned on Confederate Memorial Day. Hello! So I can go to the beach, or eat barbecue or simply stay home and rest the last Monday in May, but I do not forget what it started out as. Will you?
So we now "celebrate" both days. It is true that "Memorial Day" has re-invented itself as a "day to celebrate all wars" but the fact remains that "Memorial Day" (last Monday in May) was begun as a celebration of the Northern soldiers that died in the War for Northern Aggression.
Not only so, but it was patterned on Confederate Memorial Day. Hello! So I can go to the beach, or eat barbecue or simply stay home and rest the last Monday in May, but I do not forget what it started out as. Will you?
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Confederate Marker
This week the Confederate Marker that marks where the old Confederate Government building stood was returned to its former location. It had been taken down when the construction for the Renaissance Hotel was begun six years ago.
The marker was originally paid for by the Sons of Confederate Veterans and installed in 1979 to show where the offices of the Confederate government stood. When it was taken down city officials promised it would be put back at the site.
I am very pleased to see that this has been done, as it is the right thing to do. I am sure the SCV is very happy to see it back as well. There is a large Confederate Battle flag on one side and that is always cause for controversy but that side has been placed to the back. I plan to get down to see it today!
The marker was originally paid for by the Sons of Confederate Veterans and installed in 1979 to show where the offices of the Confederate government stood. When it was taken down city officials promised it would be put back at the site.
I am very pleased to see that this has been done, as it is the right thing to do. I am sure the SCV is very happy to see it back as well. There is a large Confederate Battle flag on one side and that is always cause for controversy but that side has been placed to the back. I plan to get down to see it today!
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