The Fort Edwards Foundation was formed
in November, 1995 when it became apparent that the site of the colonial
Fort Edwards on the Cacapon River at Capon Bridge, West Virginia, was available for purchase. Recognizing the necessity to protect this important early Hampshire County site, a number of county residents decided to form a non-profit, tax-exempt foundation to secure title to the property with the hope of eventually recreating the colonial fort and settler's home. After several years of work the Foundation secured title to twenty-three acres around the original fort site.
Membership
The Foundation is a membership organization with a current membership fee of $20.00 ($30 for a family including children). Approximately ten percent of our members are "lifetime members" at a cost of $500.00. Most of our members are local citizens, but we do have members in fifteen states and the District of Columbia. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of no more than fifteen members who serve without compensation. The day-to-day operations of The Foundation are handled by an Executive Committee. Board Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at the Visitor Center in Capon Bridge. Everyone is welcome to attend.
A Unique Site
The Foundation believes that preservation of the site of Fort Edwards is very important. As one of the earliest home sites of Hampshire County (West Virginia's oldest county) and as one of the few known Virginia frontier fort sites of the French and Indian War, it is a reminder of the valiant men and women of this nation who struggled to forge a community out of the wilderness. This site is unique. We know of no other site of Col. Washington's frontier forts that is currently
in the hands of a foundation dedicated to preserving, investigating and
interpreting it as we are.
Our Needs: A Professional Director and A Museum Addition
The Foundation needs many resources
to make this project a success. The need for money is obvious, but
there is also a need for supporters who can give of their time and talents. At the present time the Foundation is in the process of seeking funding to engage a full time Visitor Center Director to develop and impelement programs to carry us into the 2004-2008 national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War. Our new school program is straining the resources of our all-volunteer organization. We definately need a full time staff person to help us expand our programs to reach out to school children in the surrounding counties and to welcome bus tours to our site. If you can help in any way we would appreciate hearing from you.
As we approach the 2004-2008 anniversary of the French and Indian War in our area, we realize that it may be necessary to hasten our plans for building a Museum addition to the Visitor Center. Our present space does not allow for the handling of an entire bus load of school children or of adults from a tour bus. Nor does it allow for the display of significant portions of the artifacts we found in the last dig. The addition would also provide office space and expansion of our Museum Shop that should be bringing in money to supplement admissions.
See the special page on long range planning.
Membership Application
If you can help us with this important,
patriotic project, please become a member today; just click on the Membership
icon below. With your help, perhaps one day Americans will be able
to stand "... at Edwards on the Cacapehon...."
and be reminded of Col. Washington's determination
to protect the settlers of this valley so that their heirs could build
their homes and live in peace along the quiet river.
Form 990
The Foundation's IRS Form 990 is available for inspection at the office of the Foundation's Secretary, David Pancake. The address is 91 S. High Street, Romney, WV 26757. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. The telephone number is (304)822-4320. The office is on the second floor.
