Excerpted from the July 2009 issue of the
Friends of Laura Ratcliffe newsletter.

The force of events currently affecting Merrybrook has overwhelmed our scheduling and our best efforts to stay in touch with you, the members.

When I met with members of the Park Authority planning committee last October, I reported to you that there was good news—it seemed that Merrybrook had been accepted by them as a part of the park that will eventually surround the house. That was my impression at the time. A lengthy discussion of the pros and cons ended with a show of hands for supporting the preservation of Merrybrook, and a great outpouring of congratulations from almost every board member. Hugs and high fives left me feeling that at last we had crossed a huge barrier, and could move forward with plans for the future!

But—something happened during the winter. The sentiment of the Park Authority apparently changed. In March I was told that the committee's vote and congratulations meant nothing as far as the acceptance of the house was concerned. Instead, I received an E-mail from the Chairman of the Park Authority stating the following:

"... Please distinguish between the historic structures and the land. The land area contained in the life estate will become the Park Authority's in accordance to the proffers upon the expiration of the life estate, so no decision by the Park Authority is necessary. The Park Authority Board is supportive of preservation but has inadequate resources and no feasible park use for preserving the house. We will continue to work with the Launders Trust and Jeff Fairfield in seeking alternative uses for the property ..."

The Park Authority's acceptance of the land
without the house is a travesty

The house is to be proffered to the Park Authority at the same time as the land. Dismissing the house means that it will most likely be "demolished" by the present owners, the Launders Charitable Trust, which has openly stated that it has no interest in preserving Merrybrook.

The Friends of Laura Ratcliffe was set up precisely to prevent such a tragedy. Since its founding in March, 2007, we have worked to broaden public awareness of the historical significance and cultural and educational value of this last remaining ante bellum home on Centreville Road. We have worked to raise the necessary funds for preservation, as well, and will continue to do so.

Now we must turn to you

The house will be proffered at NO cost to the Park Authority. It already has a strong and talented support group in place to help with the many details of preservation. And, if it can be assured of becoming a "Park Asset," funding and more support will be considerably easier to obtain.

Funding will be the key! The Park Authority pleads no "resources." That may be the case at this moment, but we are not asking them for any money at this time. In fact, we have never asked for any funding from them. Difficult as it is, we are confident that through persistence and outreach, we will be able to put together a joint arrangement which could provide both management and funds for the project

This is the time your participation is needed!

If you have visited the house and felt the rich history within its walls, if you have seen the 200-year-old maples shading the rolling lawns, and have enjoyed the cooling breeze rustling through old ironwood trees that once lined our western boundary (destroyed in just one day this past June to make way for a sewer line), you know that once gone, this gift from the past can never be replaced.

NOW YOU SEE IT — NOW YOU DONT

These are recent photos of Merrybrook's chicken coop and shed. The two on the left were taken previously. The two on the right were after the beautiful rows of Chinese elms lining the western edge of our property were torn out because they were "overly mature!" Is this the price "progress" should require? Remember them when you write your letters.

Your voices will make a difference!

PLEASE write to your Supervisors, your State and Federal representatives, and the Park Authority members to let them know how you feel about possibly losing Merrybrook. A fact sheet and addresses are listed below.

PLEASE respond affirmatively when you receive a call from a Board member regarding your support EITHER FOR VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE OR FOR A DONATION. All donations at this time will be added to the Merrybrook Preservation Fund, a special part of our treasury.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely, Win

Contact - 703.713.0124    lratcliffehouse@aol.com