Holiday Open House at the Graffiti House, December 3, 2022
The Brandy Station Foundation is pleased to resume its Holiday Open House again this year on December 3rd at the Graffiti House, 19484 Brandy Road, Brandy Station. The hours are 1-4PM. The Open House will feature the dulcimer
holiday music of the Wilderness Run Players and refreshments. This event is free with all welcome and no RSVP necessary; please mark your calendars!
President’s Corner
Greetings,
As a nation and in both our personal and professional lives, we have experienced many challenges over the last two years. The pandemic had a profound effect on just about every aspect of our day-to-day lives from wearing protective masks to working from home for many of us. The Brandy Station Foundation—like so many organizations—had to make major adjustments to include closing the Graffiti House for several months, moving to virtual monthly board meetings and instituting a protocol for our visitors when our doors reopened. Through a very uncertain time, we can be proud of the fact that the organization demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and sensitivity to the health concerns of all our members, volunteers, and visitors alike.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank one and all for your commitment to the Brandy Station Foundation and cooperation during a very difficult time.
As we enter into the holiday season, my thoughts go back to the time spent with family and friends over the years. It was a time of great excitement and reflection on the events of the past year. It was an opportunity to catch up with schoolmates, visit with neighbors, enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner and take in various holiday celebrations. In the tradition of years past, I am excited to share with you that we will resume our Holiday Open House at the Graffiti House. Due to the COVID-19, we cancelled the Open House last year. The event this year is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 3rd from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the Graffiti House. We are pleased to have as our entertainment the Wilderness Run Players. There will be plenty of holiday food and refreshments for all. What better way to celebrate the Brandy Stations Foundation’s success in dealing with the pandemic than meeting with fellow members and friends as we kick off the holiday season. Once again, thanks for your commitment to the organization and I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, December 3rd.
Howard Lambert
President, The Brandy Station Foundation
Giving Tuesday November 29, 2022
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that takes place annually the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. On Giving Tuesday, we and other nonprofits ask our supporters and communities to contribute to our causes. #GivingTuesday is November 29th, but you don't have to wait until then; early giving is open.
Please donate to the Brandy Station Foundation by visiting this website: https:// givingtuesday.mightycause.com/organization/brandystationfoundation Thank you!! New BSF Website platform
In early October, a new Brandy Station Foundation website platform went live. The website ’s URL is the same, except now it is a secure website as designated by the “s” in the https at the beginning of the URL:
On the Get Involved tab, you can now donate to the BSF, securely join (or renew) your membership online, and find a wealth of information, including information on volunteering, upcoming events, and information on Graffiti House and battlefield tours.
Wall Signer at the Graffiti House on October 29, 2022
Brian Dailey, from New York State, visited the Graffiti House on October 29, 2022. He is a great great great grandson of Joseph G. Shadduck, Artificer, Company H, 15th NY Engineers. An artificer is defined as an enlisted man in the army or navy with specialized technical skills. In the Graffiti House, there is graffiti identifying the 15th New York Engineers regiment who were also known as the New York
Sappers and Miners. On November 9, 1863, the pontoon train of this regiment laid a bridge across the Rappahannock that was used by the Army of the Potomac to cross into Culpeper County and occupy the camps the Confederates had prepared for a winter encampment. The Union winter encampments in Culpeper County would last until May. On May 4th, 1864 the Army of the Potomac left Culpeper County to begin Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
At the top of this wall of graffiti in the Bowman Room is the identification of the 15th Regiment News York Engineers: “15th Reg NY Engineers” and below it the word “Pontoon train”.
Battle of Brandy Station Tours
BSF Vice President Greg Mertz in June 2022 with a group at Fleetwood Hill
Tours of the Brandy Station Battlefield are being scheduled year round with advance notice. Something special (we think!) is that the sections of the Battlefield to be toured will be based on visitor requests/desires; i.e. Fleetwood Hill, St. James Church area; Kelly’s Ford, and/or Stevensburg, etc. The tour duration can be from two up to four hours. The cost of the tours is $30 per hour per group with all proceeds going to the work of the Brandy Station Foundation.
To schedule a tour, please contact the Foundation at 540-727-7718 or email bsfgh1863@gmail.com with an advance reservation time of five days.
Spirits of the Graffiti House
The BSF held its “Spirits of the Graffiti House” on October 22nd with Culpeper Paranormal. Culpeper Paranormal answered questions, displayed their paranormal investigation equipment and shared their investigation findings.
Jane Ramirez from Culpeper Paranormal (right) displays her group’s paranormal equipment to Ana Hernandez (far left), Nixon Mijango and children Clarissa Privado and Madison Rodriguez.
