The Elk Run Church Museum is having an Open House on Sunday, October 27, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm for the community to view its acquisition of its new museum panel for Rev. James Keith, first Minister of Elk Run Church and grandfather of Chief Justice John Marshal. The 1750s Anglican Church at Elk Run […]
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.
Fall Festival at Salubria – October 19
Fall Festival at Salubria Saturday, October 19, 2013 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Come to the first Fall Festival at the Germanna Foundation’s circa 1757 Salubria mansion in Stevensburg, Virginia on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 1-4 pm. For all ages, there will be a costume contest, desserts, crafts, games and a scavenger hunt. Children […]
Symposium: Preserving the 18th Century in the 21st
Germanna Foundation member Douglas Harnsberger (and architect of the Germanna Visitor Center) will be presenting at a preservation symposium in November 2013 at Gunston Hall along with renowned Williamsburg architectural historian Dr. Carl Lounsbury. Dr. Lounsbury is the author of The Chesapeake House: Architectural Investigation by Colonial Williamsburg, which talks about Germanna Foundation’s Salubria. Doug’s afternoon presentation […]
Fort Germanna Transfer Signing Ceremony – October 3
World-renowned chief Jamestown archaeologist William Kelso has written that, “I have always thought the Fort Germanna/Enchanted Castle site ranks among the most significant historical archaeological sites certainly in Virginia and arguably in the nation. The establishment of both Jamestown and Germanna forts were historically pivotal.” Please be our honored guest at a momentous occasion in […]
German-American Day on the National Mall on October 6
Join us on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at 2:00 pm as we celebrate German-American Day at the German-American Friendship Garden, located on the National Mall between 15th & 17th Streets NW (across from the White House). The Friendship Garden was founded in 1983 by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and US President Ronald Reagan. The Friendship […]
Germanna Foundation Celebrates 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Originally published in 2009 Locust Grove, Virginia – Descendants of the Germanna Colonies and members of the public met at the Brawdus Martin Germanna Visitor Center on Saturday, November 7, 2009 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The program began with a showing of the stirring “Ich bin ein […]
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