Volunteer Recruitment

John Milton in the last line of his famous poem, "On His Blindness," wrote:

"He also serves, who only stands and waits."

I have long loved this line. It speaks to the value of every unique and individual person. Our value as people is not in what we do or how much we do or even in how much our contributions costs. Our value as people is about what is in our hearts. A sincere and genuine spirit of willingness is the source from which the greatest values come. With a spirit of willingness the right contribution and the right timing can flow in ways that meet the deepest needs often in the simplest ways. 

Those who patiently stand and wait have their own value that may surprise us when we least expect it. That reminds me of sweet, wonderful Roberta Hughes, who wanted to help "some little way" at our 2008 Burr Family Homecoming. On the very first day of the event, she asked if she could take the fruit back to her hotel room and wash it for me. While this was such an ordinary task, it was one among many that was going to add to the many tasks on my list. Her willing spirit caught my attention and caused her to stand out as a person of extreme value. And I continue to think of her as a wonderful example of where the real value is in people. She blessed me greatly just by her presence, and just seeing her every day for the rest of the event caused me to feel a depth of joy that all was well.

To me John Milton's words mean that every single person regardless of how much he or she contributes, is vitally important if he or she simply cares about our shared focus.

We at Reliving History, Inc. and at the Peter Burr House need your contributions. But measuring the value of those contributions will be quite different from the way the world values contributions. In the next months, we are going to focus on volunteer recruitment. But the question has risen among some as to how family members and friends from a long distance away contribute. Money always helps, but other contributions within each person's abilities are also valuable.

The first thing we need from anyone is that sense of willingness to help. And until the right method for contributing in the most useful way presents itself, each willing spirit is useful if only in standing and waiting. Standing and waiting at its very best implies committed readiness before action.

For many years (all the way back to about age 9) I've believed I was "called" to a special purpose. For years I waited until I became actually discouraged by about age 40. I went through a period of assessing whether or not I was in fact "called." I questioned if this so-called "calling" was instead ego-driven by some deeper desire to be important. I had to go through a process of setting aside my own desires for being valuable in some showy way and to learn to accept a role of just standing and waiting, even at the risk of never being considered valuable.

Today, as I approach the age of 63 (next month), I am aware that I have found my special place. It isn't about being important or about being valued by people who see the world through distorted value systems. It is about being deeply committed and ready to do what needs to be done at the simple place where my ability to contribute matches the need. I did not approach my current role as some aware this is what I was "called" to do, but as one aware that Divine Intervention seemed to me to be all over the task that needed to be done. For me, I had to reach my senior years to actually feel like I'm doing what I was put on earth to do. And it didn't come with planning or vision, but with years of being willing, committed, and ready . . . patiently standing and waiting for the right time and place and service. I had no idea where I was going until after I had gone some distance and looked back. Then I realized I was on a path unaware that it was where I was supposed to be.

I was about 30 years old when I began to seriously pray: "I don't have to know the future or have assurances along the way. I don't even have to see where I'm going. Just WALK me Lord, in such a guided way that though I walk through the dark unknown, my every step will somehow go where you wanted me this day."And strangely years later, I stand and look back and realize my prayer has been answered and continues to be answered. I never knew or would have even guessed that my path would lead me to where I am today.

With all that said, let it be known that I am convinced that something Divine is woven into the objectives before us.

• I have no idea why God or Divine Intervention preserved the ca. 1751 wooden house that like almost all others should have fallen down years ago. 
• I have no idea what unseen dynamics moved me from my home in TN to the local area where the Peter Burr House continues to exist. 
• I don't know what intrinsic value this house of the effort to preserve the house will bring to others in the future. 
• I'm aware that the old house currently has some serious structural problems that must be resolved. I don't know what all is going to be needed nor how it is going to get fixed, but I have no doubt but that it is going to survive. 

As I look back, I am amazed at how so many things fell into place in the planning for the 2008 Homecoming and how so much has fallen into place in our almost miraculous first year of organization. But as I look back, I know without a doubt that this is the task I was "called" to do over 50 years ago.

There are ways everyone who desires to be of value in this process can do so. But it all starts with the desire, the willingness, the commitment and then it is about standing and waiting. When the right time and task arrives, you may not even know you are being of value. You may not even see your contribution as being of value. But be aware, that which comes from the heart is alive and full of life and value.

No one can begin to imagine how valuable it was over a year ago when a sweet, tiny little, elderly lady genuinely wanted to wash the fruit for me. Her small gesture grew into great value as it symbolically suggests the bathing of our efforts (fruit) in love and nurturing.

Slowly, tasks are emerging that can be done by family members and friends from miles away. This blog is to those who feel a desire to "do something" but who believe they can only "stand and wait." God bless you. If willingness and commitment are behind your heart-felt desires, then "standing and waiting" is only a first step to being ready when the time and task reveals itself.

I love you guys, including those I haven't met yet and even many who are yet to be identified. So far as I can tell, Peter Burr was a man of deep faith and personal commitment to his God.

Joyce Cole, Founder
Reliving History, Inc. and
The Peter Burr Society

2010 Burr Family & Friends Homecoming

Many have asked about the next Burr Family Homecoming for Oct 2010.

I selected a date 3 months ago and am still waiting for confirmation from the hotel to make sure the dates are good for them. Before I let that sound like the hotel has fallen down on the job, let me state that the person with whom I was working got sick and was out for a while. When I checked on her condition in mid November, I discovered that she had died. So, the hotel's general manager who has been very good to us is taking care of the matter and promises to have info back to me very soon. As of mid December, he hired a replacement person whom I'm sure has been very busy during this hectic season. I will try again in early January to confirm our dates.

Meanwhile, people still want to know when the next homecoming will be. My fear in announcing a date is the slim possibility that the date by chance might not be good for the hotel. Yet, because many still want to know, I will make the following announcement (with fear and trepidation) that I hope the dates for our next homecoming will be Oct 9-16, 2010. While I'm about 95% sure that date will hold, please do not hold me to it if we do in deed need to make a change.

With that said, you will notice that I'm planning a full week for this event. I'm aware that some people may not be able to attend for a full week, but I plan to post the schedule so you may pick which days you want to attend if you can only do a few of the days. The reasons for scheduling a full week is to allow us to do more but to also have more free time for small group site-seeing based on your own preferences. I will organize information to help making choices for optional tours more successful while allowing you to choose places that most interest you. Hopefully, the planning for these optional tours as well as planning for the larger ones will be the beginning foundation for what I hope becomes an online Tourism Resource.

Our first and last homecoming in 2008 was a success. We had fun and got to know each other. We will have more fun this time and we will get to know each other even better. Much will be different. This time,

• I will not be preparing all (or even most) of the meals. The registration fee, therefore will be smaller (probably about $75 per person) even though we will enjoy more days together. You will be on your own to select where and what you eat most of the time.
  
• We will have full and unlimited access to the Peter Burr House. I'm contemplating renting a large tent in order to make the historic property the center of our administration for the event. We will be able to post the big chart that shows the family tree and leave it up for the entire week. We will be able to use all of the buildings on site. We will be able to hold and participate in actual workshops.
  
• We will invite not only descendants of Peter Burr but also descendants of in-laws (the people who married Peter Burr's children) and descendants of Peter Burr's friends and neighbors. Many families do not have a 260-year-old homestead to return to and to actually TOUCH and to feel the immediate feeling of linking to the past. I've learned that those whose ancestors had other connections to the Peter Burr House also have the same goose-bumpy feelings as the hair on the backs of their necks stand on end when they too are able to touch a structure that their ancestors visited. These are some of the people who may well become avid supporters for the preservation of the house. And some of these people may have family documents that add to the documentation that our family has found thus far. It is very useful to expand the scope of those whom we want to draw in.
  
• We will also invite all of the volunteers who donate their time, effort, money, and love to the Peter Burr House. The will be invited to attend all of our events. Family needs to know these people and these volunteers need to know who we are as family. 
  
• We will also invite the local people of the Jefferson County and surrounding areas to share in a limited number of the events. Our purpose is to blend the descendants of Peter Burr with those friends and neighbors who may someday be the ones helping to support the historic property. The assembling of the family will be the big event that I believe will cause local people to want to come and blend in and become a part of the Peter Burr House experience.
• We will have some special invited guests who will share specific expertise and knowledge and possibly conduct some workshops. Much of this is still in planning stages, but as the one who knows what is being planned, I can tell you these will be fun-packed and informative experiences.
• I will gather tourism information to help you to make the best of small group tours according to your own choices. While some may have special interest in the numerous Civil War sites in the local area (including: Manasas, VA: Harpers Ferry, WV; Sharpsburg (Antetium), MD, and Gettysburg, PA), others may have more interest in the historic railroad system (including the historic B&O that passes through Peter Burr's property) or the historic C&O Canal, or the important historic roads and gathering points in the area (the National Road, the Philadelphia Wagon Road, Warm Springs Road, or Pack Horse Ford river crossing, and the other old Indian paths) that today are major roads in the area.

The plans already include two full days of touring on a chartered bus to sites focused:

• one day on the French and Indian War and 
• the other day on the Revolutionary War period.

These are both very interesting periods and several sites exist that can provide excellent historic experiences that paint the picture very vividly. Both time periods and the focus on cultural differences are important to the larger picture of motivations and processes behind historic events. The same information will help to identify even better who Peter Burr was and what his life was like. Hopefully, you will leave the event with a much better idea of possible reasons why he came to the area and most certainly with some pride at being his descendant or person with related interest.

At least one other day (and possibly a second day) is planned to be a hands-on 18th century experience. Last year, attendees got to visit the Peter Burr House and see artisans demonstrating 18th century crafts. This time we will be doing the 18th century crafts including preparing our own 18th century supper and participating in other activities and games. You will have the option to dress in authentic reproduction clothing or otherwise in less costly faux-18th century clothing if you wish. We will have news reporters and television cameras present to publicize what is going on at the historic Peter Burr House. We will make this a significant media event. Also, there MAY be one or more professional television people filming or assessing the setting for a possible mini documentary series (about Peter Burr and family) that is currently under consideration. If this documentary series occurs, it will be filmed with Peter Burr telling his story and the stories of other family members from the Peter Burr House. The House will serve as the base setting for all the related stories. While I make no promises, I can envision some shots from the homecoming with people in period clothing being included in the series. And with various personalities emerging, it is possible that some people at the homecoming could be useful later as extras in the filming of the documentaries. Who knows what interestingly little experiences will result?

Well, this is enough on this subject for today, but this blog site will likely be the place where I will post updates related to the upcoming homecoming. It might be useful to bookmark this site and to visit from time to time.

Much more on the 2010 Burr Family and Friends Homecoming will be forthcoming.

Joyce Cole, Founder
Reliving History, Inc. and
The Peter Burr Society

Out With the Old; In With the New!!!

We are now turning the last page and closing Chapter One: "Organizing Reliving History, Inc." and beginning Chapter Two of our process: "Building the Structure."

2009 has been eventful and down-right miraculous. In one year we have grown from nothing into a fully incorporated 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization with a great Board of Directors that meets monthly, by-laws and all the legal and practical supports in place. We've done some initial fund-raising and while it seems quite small, we are ending our first year with over $1600 in our bank account. That's not bad for a very small organization that had zero money in our account at the beginning of October. We've also put into place a legacy fund with the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation and currently have $2000 there as we work toward full endowment so we can build a beginning basis for preserving our heritage for many years to come. In addition to these amounts, a little over $1000 still exists in the funds donated to the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission by the Bread Bakers Guild for our Archaeology program. 

Additionally, according to documented records, our volunteers have:

• paid out of pocket over $3500
• contributed over 1300 hours
• driven over 7500 miles 

These totals do not include the additional expenses, hours, and miles that have not been recorded.
These do not include the hours spent working from home or the little amounts contributed a little here and a little there as we each purchase items that will be used for some program element.
They also do not include most of the approximate 60-80 hours per week I spend working from home organizing, planning, and administrating as a full time volunteer.

So, what does it all mean? It means that we have a functional organization that is supported by volunteers and that is ready for the upcoming year.

As we begin our focus on next year, we will focus on:
programming
volunteer recruitment
fund raising
networking

Programming will include putting into place some on-going period correct agricultural and life-styles programs as well as planning special events. I hope to make better use of the Internet with a view toward putting online a virtual Workshop for Making Period Clothing that hopefully will correspond with and supplement a new sewing guild. We hope family members will plan to dress in period correct clothing for at least one of the events during the October homecoming. Also, programming hopefully will include an online focus on tourism that will help visitors to the Peter Burr House and Jefferson County area to blend in site seeing that enhances their understanding of Peter Burr and the significance of his house. Both on-site and off-site programming will focus on helping the local community to benefit from understanding the cultural contributions that resulted from the early settlers of what we now know as Jefferson Co, WV.

While volunteer recruitment and fund raising are on-going priorities that continually require innovative approaches and continued nurturing, I believe that local and national networking is an often overlooked yet potentially important element for any successful program. This is likely the one single element that has long been missing in efforts to revitalize the Peter Burr property. So long as the Peter Burr House sits as a loan structure off in a field behind a growing industrial park, it is doomed to be overlooked and eventually destined to be viewed by some investors in surrounding property as an unwelcome obstacle that could be better utilized as 9.5 acres of more financially valuable property. The historic value of that wonderful property depends on someone effectively telling the story of its significance in a way the community can believe and realize benefit. It is up to us to proclaim the story that allows the community to embrace the property and to protect it and value it as highly as any potential economic prospects.

Networking locally and nationally is therefore vital to the long-range planning for the Peter Burr House. While various volunteers focus on specific areas of interest, I consider my job to include maintaining a clear vision of the importance of networking at every level. The BIG Picture is difficult for many to see because it is difficult for anyone to describe in words. So suffice it to say, I'll keep my eye on the big picture and simply smile as the pieces fall into place. I understand that in the end, many will think our progress was simply good fortune rather than good vision.

Much of my philosophy is based on an example I heard about 40 years ago and never forgot. It says that when sheep hear the rattling of their feed bucket, they will come running. But if they find the bucket empty each time they come running, they will eventually stop coming. I've learned from this that people, just like sheep, respond to that which feeds them (physically and metaphorically). When they start to believe that the rattle of the feed bucket is just noise, they will become disinterested. Once they experience dissatisfaction with the sound of the rattle of the feed bucket, it is hard to get them to respond again to same noise. Filling up the bucket will then not be enough to get them back.

Moral to this truth: It will now require more than assuring that quality food is in the bucket. We now need to find a different beckoning signal than the rattle of the feed bucket.

Together we must assure that the quality is there. Likewise, we must overcome the obstacle of apathy and disbelief and find unique ways to communicate that a very rare and valuable treasure exists at the back of the Burr Industrial Park. And when the sheep come, it is vital that they feast on something of value to them.

• Anyone wanting to contribute money should see the Fund Raising Page on our website: http://www.relivinghistoryinc.org/FundRaising.html
  
• Anyone wanting to contribute other resources or wanting to volunteer time, energy, expertise, etc should contact me.  http://www.relivinghistoryinc.org/ContactUs.html  While I do use a personal email address, it would be more effective to advise everyone to contact me first via our website. This will help to get people use to using the website.
• If you haven't already bookmarked our website, now would be a good time to do it: www.RelivingHistoryInc.org  Slowly, I'm trying to evolve our website into a platform for communication and information. If you haven't bookmarked the site, please do so and check back periodically. 
•  Also, bookmark this blogspot for updates, explanations, and other information: http://www.relivinghistoryinc.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year! Everyone. This past year has been miraculous and the new year already looks very promising. By this time next year, I hope to have a very productive report to make reflecting back on that which today still lies ahead.

Joyce Cole
Reliving History Inc. and
The Peter Burr Society

PS: What is the difference between Reliving History, Inc and the Peter Burr Society?

• Reliving History, Inc is a corporate structure in Jefferson Co, WV organized to support the restoration, preservation, and programming for the Peter Burr House. 
• The Peter Burr Society is an unincorporated structure (of national and perhaps international scope) designed to give descendants (and other relatives, in-laws, and friends) of Peter Burr (1727-1795) a network for interacting and learning more of our family history. Because the Peter Burr Society is loosely structured and yet very useful for discovering family history related to Peter Burr, then I am considering the Peter Burr Society as a program of Reliving History, Inc. 
  

 

The Inner Circle

I suppose every organization has an inner circle. Sometimes new people feel alienated from the inner circle like outsiders unable to get to the core group. Reliving History, Inc. has a core body of volunteers, but we are continually seeking people who would like to be more involved as part of the inner circle.

Without fighting the Aaron Burr vs. Alexander Hamilton duel all over again, we know there were some root differences in the core values between certain founders of our nation and some members of the Burr family. While Alexander Hamilton believed strongly that only the more elite of society should govern the country, certain historic members of the Burr family seemed to embrace an ideology that supported individuals based on their values rather than on class, gender, race, or other limiting measurements of suitability. This family value is important as a cultural factor that influenced much of our family history.

We know that after Peter Burr died some of his descendants later owned a small number of slaves in the 1800s, but there is no indication that Peter Burr every owned any slaves who might otherwise have been a great help to him as he ran his 406 acre farm. In addition to finding no records of slave purchases, Peter Burr's estate inventory did not list any slaves or any other possessions that hinted at him ever having owned slaves. We know that his cousin Aaron Burr, while NY State Senator proposed legislation to ban slavery in the 1790s. Likewise, we know that family values supported the education of females more than 100 years before Women's Rights became a political issue in America. We could write a full chapter on evidence and why we believe the Burr family generally supported the basic rights of human beings as individuals, but we'll save that for another day.

The point is that the Founder of Reliving History, Inc. strongly values people not by superficial measurements such as wealth, education, gender, race, etc, but by what's in the person's heart. To be in the inner circle of Reliving History, Inc. one only needs a heart full of passion:

• For the preservation of the Peter Burr House,
• For the on-going discovery of documented family history, and
• For building programming that sheds further light on and weaves in the values and culture of a typical yeoman farmer who in the mid to late 1700s built a house and helped found two churches all of which have survived and continue to exist fully in tact today.

In organizing our corporation, we have attempted to provide a way for those who live a distance from the Peter Burr House to also serve on the governing board of Reliving History, Inc. While the provisions are in place, we are still working out the logistics of how to have distance participation in Board Meetings. In time video conferencing will probably be utilized. Until then, email participation and the telephone are our best options.

Blogging for Updated Information
For now, it is possible that the use of this blog site can be a vehicle for communicating information to those who would like to know more about what is going on. As various people sign on as followers, more time will be designated for using this vehicle for regular, possibly weekly (or in time daily) updates as to what is going on. This will probably do as much as anything else to allow anyone who desires to be in the inner core, to be in the very center of it all.

Those who are local and who can share hands-on assistance are of huge value. But never under estimate the value of those who from distances away share ideas or provide encouragement.

If you want to be in the Inner Circle, sign on as a follower of this blog and I will work harder at updating the information periodically. It takes a lot of time to work up mass emails to advise everyone of what is going on. I can blog more frequently and simply let those interested read what they want as they want to know more.

Let's support and promote this method of getting information out. If you want to know what is going on at the Peter Burr House and with Reliving History, Inc. then sign up as a follower of this blog and let me know that you are interested.

Joyce Cole, Founder
Reliving History, Inc.