thedrifter
04-23-09, 06:20 AM
General’s quarters listed on Virginia Landmarks Register
4/22/2009 By Pfc. Jahn R. Kuiper , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
The commanding general’s quarters aboard Quantico was recently accepted into the Virginia Landmarks Register and is awaiting review by the National Register of Historic Places.
VLR’s mission is to foster, encourage and support the stewardship of Virginia's significant historic, architectural, archaeological and cultural resources.
According to The Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Virginia communities are using preservation to build civic pride, revitalize downtowns, spur economic development, generate tourism, and educate residents and children about their local heritage.
The house had to go through a long, tedious process to be inducted.
“Research and documentation of properties is summarized on the nomination forms,” said John H. Haynes, the Base Cultural Resource Manager. “In the case of archaeological sites, this may represent years of field and lab work along with documentary research. The forms are submitted through Headquarters Marine Corps to the State Historic Preservation Office, and usually revised based on comments before being placed on the state register and sent on the National Register of Historic Places for listing.”
The commanding general’s quarters is filled with history. The Dutch Colonial Revival-style house has served as the base commander’s residence since its construction in 1920.
The most notable resident was Maj. Gen. Smedley D. Butler, who served as the base commander from 1920 to 1924 and 1929 to 1931. He was the most decorated Marine at the time of his death in 1940. Butler helped lead the way into the modern day Marine Corps. He developed professional military education, Marine Corps aviation, and Marine Corps’ doctrine for amphibious warfare. Because of the house’s deep history, it can reap many benefits from the VLR.
The nomination creates a concise record for both the public and researchers. Once accepted for a state register, properties are automatically nominated for the National Register, said Haynes. A listed property promotes community awareness about history and properties listed on the register can receive tax-credit opportunities for rehabilitation and improvement.
Over the years renovations have been made to the commanding general’s quarters.
“There have been three additions and replacement of such items as roofing,” said Haynes. “These have been judged by architectural historians to have been compatible with the original design of the house.”
This is not the first site or building from Quantico to be accepted into the VLR.
Three confederate winter camps from the Civil War — Camp French, the Rising Hill Camp and the 2nd Tennessee Volunteer Camp — were accepted into the VLR on June 18, 2008, said Haynes. On June 16, 1999, the Quantico Marine Corps Base historic district was accepted into the Virginia Register, and includes Turner Field, Butler Stadium and the Iron Mike statue, the water tower off of Neville Road and 121 buildings on mainside comprise the histories district.
“Historic preservation can support the Corps’ mission by maintaining the physical context of Marine Corps traditions as a living and working environment,conveying a sense of continuity of those traditions,” said Haynes. “Listing the commanding general’s quarters on the VLR and NRHP is one example of this principle.”
Ellie
4/22/2009 By Pfc. Jahn R. Kuiper , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
The commanding general’s quarters aboard Quantico was recently accepted into the Virginia Landmarks Register and is awaiting review by the National Register of Historic Places.
VLR’s mission is to foster, encourage and support the stewardship of Virginia's significant historic, architectural, archaeological and cultural resources.
According to The Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Virginia communities are using preservation to build civic pride, revitalize downtowns, spur economic development, generate tourism, and educate residents and children about their local heritage.
The house had to go through a long, tedious process to be inducted.
“Research and documentation of properties is summarized on the nomination forms,” said John H. Haynes, the Base Cultural Resource Manager. “In the case of archaeological sites, this may represent years of field and lab work along with documentary research. The forms are submitted through Headquarters Marine Corps to the State Historic Preservation Office, and usually revised based on comments before being placed on the state register and sent on the National Register of Historic Places for listing.”
The commanding general’s quarters is filled with history. The Dutch Colonial Revival-style house has served as the base commander’s residence since its construction in 1920.
The most notable resident was Maj. Gen. Smedley D. Butler, who served as the base commander from 1920 to 1924 and 1929 to 1931. He was the most decorated Marine at the time of his death in 1940. Butler helped lead the way into the modern day Marine Corps. He developed professional military education, Marine Corps aviation, and Marine Corps’ doctrine for amphibious warfare. Because of the house’s deep history, it can reap many benefits from the VLR.
The nomination creates a concise record for both the public and researchers. Once accepted for a state register, properties are automatically nominated for the National Register, said Haynes. A listed property promotes community awareness about history and properties listed on the register can receive tax-credit opportunities for rehabilitation and improvement.
Over the years renovations have been made to the commanding general’s quarters.
“There have been three additions and replacement of such items as roofing,” said Haynes. “These have been judged by architectural historians to have been compatible with the original design of the house.”
This is not the first site or building from Quantico to be accepted into the VLR.
Three confederate winter camps from the Civil War — Camp French, the Rising Hill Camp and the 2nd Tennessee Volunteer Camp — were accepted into the VLR on June 18, 2008, said Haynes. On June 16, 1999, the Quantico Marine Corps Base historic district was accepted into the Virginia Register, and includes Turner Field, Butler Stadium and the Iron Mike statue, the water tower off of Neville Road and 121 buildings on mainside comprise the histories district.
“Historic preservation can support the Corps’ mission by maintaining the physical context of Marine Corps traditions as a living and working environment,conveying a sense of continuity of those traditions,” said Haynes. “Listing the commanding general’s quarters on the VLR and NRHP is one example of this principle.”
Ellie