City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement to Finalize a Bequest from the Demaris Jarroll Williams Revocable Trust to The Lyceum.[ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration and approval of a Resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement to finalize a bequest from the Demaris Jarroll Williams Revocable Trust to The Lyceum.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve a resolution (attached) authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement to finalize a bequest from the Demaris Jarroll Williams Revocable Trust to The Lyceum.
DISCUSSION: The Lyceum is the beneficiary of a specific bequest of a Greene Plantation desk, silver snuff box, and wedding band associated with the history of Alexandria.
Green Plantation Desk
The walnut and pine drop front desk, was made in 1866 by the Green and Brother’s Steam Cabinet Furniture Manufactory. The piece is stamped with the manufacturer’s name and a surviving paper shipping label is nailed to the back of the desk.
Snuff Box
The silver snuff box is rectangular with a hinged lid, embellished with cut work around the edge. It is inscribed ‘Constant Chapman / Aug 31 1732 / Summer Hill / Virginia.’
Wedding Band
The wedding band of Constantia Pearson Chapman is yellow gold and inscribed ‘Memory More True Than Mine, 1677.’
The desk is a welcome addition to the collection as the museum holdings have not included a desk designed for personal use from Green and Brother’s. It is an example of the many different types of furniture and various decorative styles this manufactory offered to consumers. The Green family were in the furniture business in Alexandria from 1817-1887.
The wedding band and snuff box represent Alexandria’s earliest days. They belonged to Constantia Pearson Chapman of Summer Hill, a property at Four Mile Run that was part of the original Howson Patent purchased by John Alexander. Her husband, Nathanial Chapman, was one of the officials responsible for the lottery in 1750 that raised money to build Alexandria’s Market House.
FISCAL IMPACT: The appraised value of the bequest is $4,800.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Gretchen Bulova, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria
David E. Lanier, Assistant City Attorney