Join the Germanna Foundation on Thursday, November 11 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm as we honor all veterans by illuminating the grounds of the Fort Germanna Visitor Center with luminaries. At 6:30 pm we will hold a ceremony in which we ring the bell in Germanna’s Memorial Garden in honor of all the veterans. This […]
PRESS RELEASE- Historic Germanna Initiates Removal and Restoration of Iconic Weathervane
Historic Germanna Initiates Removal and Restoration of Iconic Weathervane
Locust Grove, VA - October 18, 2023 – Historic Germanna, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing Virginia's rich history, is embarking on an exciting journey to preserve a symbol of the past that has graced our visitor center for decades. On October 19th, 2023, the iconic copper ship weathervane adorning the Brawdus Martin Historic Germanna Visitor Center, was carefully removed from its post where it was set in 2000.
The decision to remove this cherished weathervane stems from the recognition of a pressing issue: a persistent leak in the roof caused by the continuous turning of the weathervane. The Visitor Center's architect, Doug Harnsberger, a Germanna descendant who generously donated the weathervane in 2000, made the insightful recommendation to safeguard the roof from further water infiltration by removing the cause. Harnsberger oversaw the copper ship’s removal and the temporary capping of the roof to prevent further water infiltration. W.A. Lynch Roofing removed the ship. The Charlotteville-based company has previously worked on Monticello, Highland, UVA’s Rotunda, and the Virginia Capitol.
Additionally, Mr. Harnsberger emphasized that “the fragile nature of the weathervane itself, needs delicate conservation work to ensure its preservation for future generations.” The weathervane was meticulously crafted after a 17th-century barque, a three-masted vessel that may have been similar to the ship that brought the 1714 and 1717 German colonists to Virginia. Harnsberger further stated, “This intricate metal object has become a treasured emblem of the historic journey of the German colonists to Virginia.”
Historic Germanna is taking this opportunity to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for the weathervane and explore options for its future display inside of the Visitor Center. Historic Germanna is committed to preserving the essence of this historic symbol by identifying an appropriate new location for it to be displayed to the public and the generations of Germanna descendants that cherish this icon of their family’s journey from Germany to Virginia. Careful consideration is being given to ensure that the weathervane continues to tell the story of Germanna's rich history.
With the leak in the roof now effectively sealed, Historic Germanna is actively exploring alternatives to top the Visitor Center with something that is both symbolic of the organization's mission and representative of the region's heritage. The weathervane's removal marks a significant step towards ensuring that Germanna's history remains accessible and intact for generations to come.
The public is invited to stay tuned for updates on this exciting preservation project.
Professional Storytelling at “Salubria After Dark” Event October 22 and 23
Come experience historic 1757 Salubria manor as never before as the Germanna Foundation hosts “Salubria After Dark,” a special evening of professional storytelling on the grounds of Salubria, Culpeper County’s oldest brick house. While the stories are NOT about Salubria, you’re in for a spook-tacular event with several professional storytellers! This event will be held […]
WATCH: Evening With Germanna: Spotswood’s “Knights of the Golden Horseshoe” Expedition in 1716
Over 300 years ago in September 1716, Virginia’s Lt. Governor Alexander Spotswood organized a famous trek over the Blue Ridge mountains that came to be known as the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe expedition. The trek began and ended at the colonial frontier fort that Spotswood established in 1714: Fort Germanna, where a colony of […]
Germanna Fall Gathering Planned
UPDATE: Registration is closed as we’ve reached maximum capacity for this event. After two years of virtual Summer Conference Reunions, Germanna is cautiously optimistic that an in-person Fall Mini-Reunion is feasible. The secure registration form is below. Hebron Lutheran Church has graciously agreed to host us for the event and the planned schedule offers time […]
Germanna Trades Weekend Aug 21 & 22
The Germanna Foundation will host a trades weekend on the grounds of the Fort Germanna Visitor Center the weekend of August 21 and 22, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The event is rain or shine. Live demonstrations including surveying, timber framing, foodway demonstrations, a blacksmith, a cooper, a bread oven and more will take […]
Fort Germanna Archaeology Site Public Access Days
The Germanna Foundation has scheduled three Fort Germanna Archaeology Site Public Access Days for Friday, July 2; Saturday, July 31 and Saturday, September 11. The events will run from 10 am to 3 pm with tours at 10 am, 11 am, Noon, 1 pm and 2 pm. Visitors will get the chance to see the […]
Historic Salubria Public Access Day June 18
Join us on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm as the Germanna Foundation hosts a Public Access Day event at historic Salubria Manor, located in Stevensburg, Virginia. Salubria was built circa 1757 by the Reverend John Thompson for his wife, Butler Brayne Spotswood Thompson (widow of Lt. Governor Alexander Spotswood) and […]
Germanna Program for National Genealogical Society Conference
Germanna Foundation Genealogists Cathi Clore Frost and Barbara Price have been invited to present at the National Genealogical Society 2021 Family History Conference. This is the major annual event of the prestigious NGS, founded in 1903 as America’s first genealogical organization and today one of its largest. Their presentation, Identifying the 1714 and 1717 Germanna […]
Honoring Veterans
On November 11, the Germanna Foundation honored America’s military veterans by holding a ceremony in the Memorial Garden on the Fort Germanna Visitor Center campus and ringing Germanna’s bell 21 times. Luminaries were placed in the garden marked with the following names and their military service provided by donors. We are grateful for veterans and […]
Germanna Foundation Germany Trip Webinar
Have you ever wanted to visit the village of your ancestors in Germany? Or are you someone who is interested in German history, culture, and cuisine? Have you been on a Germany trip with Germanna and want to reminisce about your experience? Have you thought about going and want more information? In this new webinar, […]
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