Beauvoir House and the
Jefferson Davis Presidential Library suffered heavy damage from
Hurricane
Katrina. These two structures can and will be restored given time and
funding.
Artifact search and recovery has been completed. 3,304 artifacts have
been
photographed, inventoried, boxed and stored in environmental storage.
Conservation of the artifacts and the house furniture
have begun.
Stabilization of the house and
presidential library are ongoing and architectural plans and
specifications for
their restoration are being drawn. A new bridge has been built over
Oyster
Bayou's drainage area. Restoration to the cemetery has been completed.
Dirt and
topsoil have been brought in to replace the erosion of Beauvoir's soil.
Organizations of volunteers have provided 951 volunteers and they have
spent
over 7600 man-hours in helping with cleaning up the site. Over
16,500 cubic yards of various types of
debris has been removed.
Many individuals continue
to offer their help. However, the only
volunteers needed at this time are highly specialized and trained
conservators and
some grounds maintenance volunteers. Anyone
else that wishes to volunteer their help at this time can help the most
by
making a financial contribution (see financial contribution address
below). No
donation is too large or too small.
Every little bit helps to
keep Beauvoir going and for rebuilding, so please give
generously.
October 7, 2006, the Beauvoir Combined Board
along with state and federal officials held a press conference to
announce formal
plans for the rebuilding of Beauvoir House. Additional stabilization of
the roof will begin immediately.
Final drawings and specifications for the complete restoration of the
house
will be ready for the bidding process within 30 days. Re-construction
and
repair of the house will hopefully be under way at the beginning of the
new
year.
Larry Albert is the
architect working on the Beauvoir House and JDPL
projects.
Recently, a detailed report was given on the status of Beauvoir by Mississippi Division Commander Ed Funchess to the National SCV General Executive Council. Included in his update report were copies of the proposed blueprints for the repair and rebuilding of the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and the layout plans for the “Monument to the Unknown Soldier”, which received unanimous support and endorsement from the GEC. “Bricks for Beauvoir” will finance the project and help provide finances for Beauvior.
The plans are for a brick plaza
around the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Each brick would cost $50.00 and
would have the name of a Confederate ancestor
of members of the SCV who give to the
effort. “The Bricks for Beauvior” Project,
spearheaded by Larry McCluney, Commander of
the Mississippi Division. Thirteen columns, in a crescent, will
represent the 13
States of the Confederacy and will fly the
flag of each respective State. AOT Commander, Kelly Barrow,
gave a challenge to the Department Commanders to
see which Army could raise the most
money toward the project. ATM Councilman, Chuck
McMichael, offered the following resolution in
support of the Monument: “Be it resolved that the Sons of Confederate
Veterans does hereby endorse fully, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier
and gives its whole-hearted support for
the concerted efforts of the Mississippi Division, SCV.” The GEC gave
unanimous consent and support to
the project.
By
purchasing an Ancestral Memorial Brick for
just $50.00 each, your money will go to rebuilding a
national treasure. Each brick will be laid,
memorializing your ancestor, in a plaza around
the Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier at Beauvoir.
Click Here to download and print a
brochure.
