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NVAH LETTER TO MICHAEL EISNER, DISNEY
NORTHERN VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION FOR HISTORY, INC. June 20, 1994
Mr. Michael Eisner
Mr. Mark Pacala Dear Mr. Eisner and Mr. Pacala: We have heard of the coming of the Disney's America project to the Haymarket area in Prince William County, VA. We have put together a list of projects that we believe would assist the Disney organization in portraying the history of America, as well as help in preserving and protecting our local history and national history. The projects are: (1) Establish Disney's America as an Oral History Center. The Disney Corporation, as part of its commitment to America, the citizens of Virginia, and the citizens of Prince William, could establish an Oral History Center where people from all walks of life could be interviewed, and the interviews transcribed and kept available for scholars. If you would conduct 20 interviews each day from the visitors from around the country, you would soon have a significant repository of experiences from citizens in all walks of life and from every state in the Union. The interviews could be conducted 300 days a year. The interviews could either be scheduled in advance or done randomly among the visitors, based on those interested in contributing. The interviews could be based on the Department of Labor's Handbook of Occupations so that no job or occupation is overlooked; along with selections of visitors from every state or nation, there would soon be a repository of modern day American experiences for future historians to study. The selection process for those to be interviewed should be easy to work out, and equipment exists that would assist transcribers and indexers to get the records into the hands of the academic community. Tapes and transcripts would be kept by Disney in the Oral History Center, and shared with other major institutions. The information from conducting interviews over a period of years would contribute greatly to future historians' understanding of Twentieth and Twenty-First Century America. 2. Establish four Archaeological Parks as part of the Disney's America Theme Park. The four parks would cover our Indian history, early colonial history, African American life and the Civil War. The four parks would be worked by archaeologists to show how archaeology helps us understand the past, in addition to the techniques that are used to uncover artifacts of the past. According to news reports, you have uncovered at least 50 archaeological sites that merit further investigation. Through choosing a few sites for development you would be able to preserve and protect our history, and at the same time inform and educate visitors about our past. The archaeological parks would be part of the overall admission to the park, and would be for those who have an interest in activities other than water slides or roller coasters. You will have a significant population of visitors that are interested in American history and our accomplishments. The establishment of the archaeological parks would firmly establish your commitment to portraying and documenting " real history". 3. Establish a museum of Northern Virginia History on the Disney property what would display the artifacts and materials uncovered during the construction process. The museum would display Indian, colonial, African American, Civil War and other materials relating to Northern Virginia history. Your property is on the Carolina Road, one of the primary north-south Indian trails, and has been the site of encampments for thousands of years. There are artifacts and materials relating to pre- European use of the land, as well as modern day usage of the area. The museum would tie directly to the suggested archeological parks referenced above, and provide you the opportunity to display what was on the site, as well as the contributions of Northern Virginians to our history. 4. Restore the Waverly Plantation House on the property. Rumors have indicated that the Disney Corporation plans to either rebuild Waverly Plantation House and use it as a clubhouse for the golf course, or erect a historical marker telling about the house. Neither plan serves the purpose of educating citizens about plantation life in America. We suggest that the Disney Corporation rebuild the Waverly Plantation House, and open it to the public as a reconstructed and restored home. It could be toured as part of the admission to the overall theme park, and could be restored to either the 1836 period, the Civil War period, a Victorian house or a combination of periods that would demonstrate all aspects of life in 19th Century America. The reconstruction would allow every aspect of life to be shown, from that of slaves and servants to that of the owners and guests. The reconstruction would fit in with the overall historical or cultural values theme that you wish to emphasize. 5. Reconstruct Janney's Waverly Mill. The Waverly Mill was one of the largest merchant mills in the area. Its reconstruction would help the public understand the farming and dairying operations that were carried on in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century America. Once again, the public should be able to tour the building and see an operating mill. The tour would be part of the overall theme park. Its appeal would be to those interested in history, how milling operations were conducted, and the technology of a bygone era. 6. Production of historical video tapes about Northern Virginia History for use within the Disney's America Theme Park and Northern Virginia Schools and Museums. You have an Academy Award winning team for the production of films and video tapes. We suggest that they produce a series of films centered on Northern Virginia that cover a) our Indian history from pre-historic times to the present; b) the colonization of Northern Virginia from 1608 to the Revolutionary War; c) the impact of land use on rivers and harbors - the silting up of Dumfries bay, the Occoquan River, the pollution and silting of the Potomac, and the destruction of farm land; d) farming and dairying techniques before and after the Civil War; e) African American life on plantations and after emancipation; f) the Courthouses of Northern Virginia and the impact of shifting populations; g) the Civil War in Northern Virginia showing the battles of Manassas, the Confederate blockade of the Potomac, Ranger Mosby and the occupation by Federal troops. The production of six or more video tapes over the next ten years is something that the Disney Corporation should be able to accomplish. You would benefit from being able to show the films at the Disney's America Theme Park, and the citizens and students of Northern Virginia would benefit because our history would be recorded and documented in a professional manner. 7. Assist the Northern Virginia historical commissions and museums: publishing and selling books about our history through grants and by sharing the costs of publications. The development of additional historical materials is needed to document the history of Northern Virginia and its citizens. We are looking at you as our neighbor and part of our community for at least the next 40 years. It is important for you to participate not only as an employer, but also as a part of our Northern Virginia community. The theme of " history" is ongoing, and we need your help to document and preserve our heritage. Your responsibilities extend beyond that of just another corporate entity doing business in Virginia. You are now a part of " us", and we look forward to your assisting in maintaining our heritage. Please contact me if I can provide you any additional information, or clarify any of the above points. Sincerely, Thomas H. Bland President cc: Copies of this letter have been sent to various historical, archeological and educational institution representatives. By copy of this letter we are asking them to let you know if they support these projects.
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Reviewed . Revised . Refreshed: 16 September 2010 Our 15th Year