After receiving many
expressions of appreciation from board members, Casey said he was
extremely gratified to have a part in establishing a shrine to one who
did so much for the freedom of the American people.
"I hope this will help to create a greater interest in the
wonderful character, Patrick Henry, and that people may learn that he
did much of importance and said many more things of importance than Ôgive
me liberty, or give me death,'" he added.
Johnson had illustrations and pictures of the original home of
Patrick Henry and in each addition to the original he had taken accurate
measurements and samples of wood removed from each addition so as to
have the restoration an authentic reproduction.
More than $50,000 has gone into this building as an outright gift
from Casey. Today, Easley, the president, asked the board of directors
and trustees to cooperate in the fund-raising campaign for the upkeep
and necessary expenses of the shrine. An endowment will be set up as the
result of a gift from the will of the late Miss Ella Miller plus gifts
received as memorials at the time of her death.
A motion was passed to change the charter of the foundation which
calls for Richmond as the meeting place and change will be to Brookneal.
Shrine Dedication
Plans will be made in the immediate future to have a dedication of
the shrine and this will probably take place April 29, 1957, the
birthday anniversary of Patrick Henry to be in connection with the 350th
Jamestown celebration.
After adjournment of the business session, the officials traveled the
four miles to the shrine area. Mrs. Ralph Bellwood, manager, served as
hostess for a group. her residence is on the shrine grounds in a portion
which is the old law office.
Johnson acted as a guide for the tour of the two restored buildings.
During this he called attention to the detailed work throughout the
structures. Of special interest were the window panes which are
reproductions of the handblown type.
Imported wallpaper in authentic patterns is used in the rooms and is
reprinted from handcolored prints of the period. Some of these were
originally from Scotland, England, and France and date back to
mid-1700's and the early 1800's. The oldest paper in the house is the
rag doll pattern on the second floor which was John Henry's nursery.
The timbers of the house are cross band sawed to imitate old pit
sawed material. The outside walls are beaded, lap siding and the roofs
are of cross sawed white oak shingles. The floors in the cottage are of
select, best grade long leaf yellow pine. The nails for interior trim,
such as door casings, window casing, etc. are imitation of original
handforged nails made by a blacksmith. The kitchen out from the cottage
a short distance has a brick floor and a large fireplace with crane and
a warming oven.
One original hinge has been used on the door of the main entrance and
all others over the cottage are reproduced from this one.
Architect Johnson expressed the desire that other original historic
buildings around the shrine area would be restored and with special
reference to the cemetery near the house.
Election of the board of directors is as follows: maj. John D.
Guthrie, and Page Morton, both of Charlotte Court House; Quinn Eggleston
and R. S. Chamberlayne, both of Drakes Branch; Mrs. William Page
WIlliams, Brookneal; Henry McWane, and Stanhope S. Johnson, both of
Lynchburg; E. H. Eitel, Samuel Holmes and James S. Easley, all of
Halifax, Mrs. Ormonde Smith, Petersburg, and Casey.
New Officers
Officers for next year are president, James S. Easley; Quinn
Eggleston, executive vice president; Maj. John D. Guthrie and Henry E.
McWane, vice presidents; Mrs. Williams, secretary, and James R. Gilliam
Jr., treasurer.
Buildings in the shrine are now open to the public and plans are now
in process to furnish the buildings throughout. Mrs. Bellwood is serving
as hostess for visitors.
Red Hill, consisting of about 1,000 acres, was bought from the estate
of the late Mrs. M. B. Harrison, great-granddaughter of Patrick Henry.
The foundation was organized in 1944 with Easley as president. The
restoration has been underway for about two and a half years, since
Casey's anonymous bequest.
Sending regrets and congratulations were Mrs. Alfred I. duPont,
Montclair, N. J.; Dr. Theodore Adams, Richmond; Gen. George C. Marshall,
Michael Francis Doyle, Philadelphia; Col. Frank McCarthy, Beverly Hills,
Calif., and Mrs. S. B. Penick, Montclair, N. J., niece of the late Miss
Miller. Miss Susan Dabney, Lynchburg, a niece, also attended.
