The 30th Anniversary Celebration Reunion - an Event to Remember

 

Thursday, June 23 - Saturday, June 25, 2022 in Petersburg, Virginia

 

Article by: Mara Evans with contributions from our two youngest attendees: 

Jonah Evans, age 18 and John J. Stifter V (Jack), age 16.

 

Thursday:

Reception & Family Meeting Room

 

Mike and Bev Sumy set up the Family Meeting room with a lovely spread of refreshments for the Thursday evening reception and Randolph Bell added to the relaxing atmosphere with a “bar.”  Almost everyone was able to enjoy connecting or reconnecting minus a few late arrivals. 

 

After seeing the empty meeting room earlier in the year, the set up was very welcoming for the family reunion. In there I enjoyed some good food, listened to family stories, looked at maps of our ancestral homes and locations, and had the pleasure of helping set up a printer/copier for everyone to use. It was a great spot for bringing everyone together and to be able to relax and enjoy each other’s company and historical documents. -Jonah

 

The meeting room was a fun place to be and connect with people, most I have never really met.

In the room there were tons of books and maps that caught my interests, and it helped me visualize

the history of our family. The conversations that happened within the room showed me that there

is always more to learn about everything, especially family. -Jack

 

Friday/Tour Day:

 

Bolling Mausoleum

 

The scene of remembrance was set with a beautiful vase of roses and 18 family members gathered around. The wrought iron and glass door was unlocked for us. Immediately on the left as you enter the small space, there is a beautiful white statue of an angel.  

 

It was nice to visit Bud, our founding BFA president in this beautiful resting place that he worked so hard to preserve. Bud, AKA Major General Alexander R. Bolling Jr. and his wife, Frances Bigbee Bolling were laid to rest here in 2011 & 1999 respectively alongside Robert Bolling I, II, III, IV and Robert Buckner Bolling, whose home was the last location of this reunion trip. There are several other Bollings in and near this mausoleum. 

 

When I was younger, I had met Bud multiple times and remember him as a kind and driven man. It was great to be able to pay respects to the founder of the Bolling Family Association, as well as the other members of our family who were laid to rest in this beautiful mausoleum. -Jonah

 

It was interesting to see the Bolling Mausoleum, and I know that it was a very special time for everyone to be there. Even though I never met anyone who was buried in the mausoleum, I didn’t need to know them to feel a connection there. The cemetery was a beautiful resting place and a wonderful learning experience for me. -Jack

 

Tour of Blandford Cemetery/Church

 

The mausoleum isn’t the only thing that is important to us about Blandford Cemetery, a piece of American history that is home to soldiers from multiple wars. From having marked graves all the way back to 1702, to the secret burial to protect General Phillip’s remains (who died at Bollingbrook), this cemetery is full of interesting history. The most notable part of the cemetery is the Blandford Church that became a Confederate Memorial Chapel. The interior of the building is beautiful with original architecture, but the special part is the stained glass windows. The Ladies Memorial Association knew that the people who died for our country, believing what they were fighting for was right, deserved to be recognized. They got donations from the formerly confederate states to install Tiffany stained glass windows with different saints and religious symbols representing those who died. It is a very memorable place, and I know that I will be visiting again. -Jonah

 

The Exchange Building/Museum

 

On the way, it was interesting to drive down Bollingbrook St., which once led to another family home of that name. We entered directly into a lovely gift shop with interesting books, souvenirs, and even a Christmas ornament collection of the stained glass windows from Blandford Church.

 

The Exchange Building was a market and has a grand upstairs gallery.  The educational displays showing how Petersburg prospered in the early days from crops like tobacco, cotton, and grains is worth the visit alone.  On one it was noted that the oldest grist mill was erected by Robert Bolling in 1754. 

 

There are many worthwhile exhibits here and inspirational quotes from famous people for instance, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” -MLK.

 

In a case of artifacts, there is a book entitled, “Religio Medici,” published in 1669.  It is believed this book was once owned by Colonel Robert Bolling as there is a handwritten “review” with his signature inside.  Apparently, he did not like the book as he compared it to a, “poor imitation of Montague,” however he did thank the author for, “preaching Tolerance in Religious Matters.” 

 

We had a little free time before lunch to enjoy Olde Towne.  Some went shopping, others grabbed coffee, and a few visited the Farmer’s Bank museum, which was free.  The vault there is below ground and they have giant original ledgers on display.

 

Lunch at The Brickhouse Run 

 

The owners, Drew and Joanna Phelan, have transformed these Olde Towne buildings into an English style pub and restaurant usually open for dinner only.  They opened early for us and set-up a lovely buffet style lunch, which refreshed us.  The food was all so fresh and delicious and the staff was very accommodating.  The establishment is named after a stream that runs next to, through, and under the buildings of Olde Towne. 

 

Battersea

 

Built in 1768 by Colonel John Banister, this home is a national treasure!  The Battersea Foundation has worked hard to preserve this home and their efforts continue.  There is even a secret room with no access which will be explored soon with video cameras.  Colonel Banister was the first mayor of Petersburg, but we learned on the tour he somehow managed to have the town line redrawn to include Battersea so that he could run.  The Bolling connection was sealed when his son married the daughter of Robert Bolling IV.  The Foundation has collected and borrowed many nice antiques to fill the renovated rooms, and I believe are looking for more just incase you have something in your attic to contribute. 

 

Benjamin Watkins Leigh House owned by Lee & Zoe Ballenger 

 

Outside the house, just looking up at the stairs leading to the front door, was an impressive feeling.  I could imagine arriving here back in the day, being dropped off by carriage and climbing these steps for a gathering. Upon entering the home, I was pleasantly surprised.  It felt like a welcoming home, but happens to be full of museum worthy collectibles and paintings. The Ballengers have clearly worked hard to preserve this home. The foyer has a hand painted mural that I would love to study in detail sometime. 

 

Our hosts greeted us and gave us a tour with the history of the house.  Zoe donned a period hat that was beautifully made.  I just had to ask her about it.  She explained that she has a collection and this one like many others she owns was made by a local hatter/milliner/artist named Ignatius Creegan, who unfortunately passed away recently, but his creations will continue to make his customers happy for years to come! His pieces can be seen in many of the period films and television shows produced in this area.

 

The walls in the two parlors are loaded with extra-large period paintings. I loved seeing all the artifacts and vintage items such as a solid block of pressed tea, an orange pomander centerpiece on the dining table, Lee’s handmade replica of a time period game table, corn cob candle sticks, and so many more!  Lee even built a three story barn on the property himself! 

 

Strachan-Harrison House owned by Joe Haddon & Dana Ballenger

 

Upon arrival we went to visit their animals first.  Joe and Dana have several sheep and one adorable donkey, named Jack.  They were glad to have visitors and to be spoiled with ginger snaps!  

 

This home is equally loved and cared for and hosts impressive paintings and pieces of history as well. The doors here seemed shorter and wider than today’s buildings, and they have original hardware and handles.  Most interesting to me were the architecture designs for this home, which are framed and displayed. The blueprints would be impressive enough, but there are also close-up designs showing how the dormer was built and secured with pegs as well as a window blueprint and even an early fire insurance policy!  Simply amazing to see! 

 

Although the kitchen feels like you are walking back in time with the decor and fully functioning antique stove, the hors D’oeuvres spread reminded us that this is a lived in and well-loved home. Out back we enjoyed a few refreshments by the in ground pool with a floating fountain.  Jack and Jonah cooled off in the pool, while the adults visited. This was a lovely spot to end our tour.

 

Dinner 

 

This was scheduled as an on-your-own event with recommended restaurants.  Our group went to the seafood place, Croaker Spot, in Olde Towne Petersburg. We saw a few others from the reunion who also made this choice.  Everyone was more than pleased with the flavors and selection, and we all agreed this was some of the best seafood we have ever had!

 

Saturday:

 

Official Family Business Meeting

 

This is the part of the reunion that adults enjoy and kids usually skip.  There will be minutes available, so I will not review all that was discussed at the meeting, but this is where updates are given as to what has been accomplished lately in terms of preservation projects, membership, outreach, etc. Since children are not usually interested in such things, recommendations are given for fun family activities to choose from, included this year were a tour of the Petersburg Battlefield and other sites, and to mix it up, an escape room, which is what Jack and Jonah chose. 

 

Escape Olde Towne

 

There were multiple rooms available to escape from so we chose the most difficult one: the 80s Prom Room. Inside it, everything was colorful and prom party themed with 80’s hits playing in the background. We had to solve who the real prom king and queen were because fake ones had taken the spotlight from them. With an hour to solve the mystery it was very hard because they kept throwing misdirecting clues our way. Most were involving 80’s music and movies which brought lots of nostalgic enjoyment. Unfortunately, we didn’t solve the mystery in time (we were off by about 2 minutes or so). Overall the experience was both fun and challenging; which made it very worthwhile. -Jack

 

After the meeting a light lunch of pizza and salad was shared in the Family Room and afterward members who brought historical documents, family trees, and Bibles shared the information and allowed copies to be made for anyone who wanted it. Research time in the family room continued for a few hours.

 

30th Anniversary Banquet:

 

Centre Hill Mansion was once again the site of a grand Bolling dinner with a table set for 30 in the great hall. After drinks on the porch our regular tour was led by our speaker for the evening, Sergei Troubetzkoy.  He shared how this home was originally Federal in design when Robert Bolling IV lived here, but that his son, Robert Buckner Bolling transformed it into a Greek Revival house. Three presidents have visited the home: Tyler, Lincoln and Taft who spent the night.  It has been used in lots of movies and television shows, several times as the White House interior due to the architecture and furniture. Some pieces that belonged to Robert Buckner Bolling are still there including ornate high backed chairs made for this home. 

 

The dinner prepared by CBS Catering was fantastic and was followed by our speaker.

 

Speaker - Sergei Troubetzkoy, Director of Tourism for the City of Petersburg

Sergei was a delight and shared Bolling stories I have never heard. Here are some of his remarks: 

 

On a trip touring America, Robert Bolling visited Lafayette and invited him in person to come to Petersburg. Lafayette came and apologized for shelling Petersburg and was wined and dined all over the city.  On this visit he created quite a stir and danced with over 30 local women who apparently fancied this Frenchman. 

 

Following the Battle of the Crater there was a major hospital for soldiers set-up near the home of George Washington Bolling called Poplar Lawn that still stands at 244 South Sycamore. He toured this hospital and was appalled that the Union African American soldiers were not being cared for properly.  He went to Dr. John H. Claiborne, the executive officer in charge and saw to it that these men had the care they needed. 

 

While the Bollings made their vast fortune in several areas including real estate, their major crop was tobacco. George Washington wrote in 1791 that ⅓ of all the tobacco shipped out of the United States was from Petersburg. Most of that was Bolling tobacco.  Robert Bolling was on the original vestry that built Blandford Church.  He also helped build the Exchange Building and just after the Revolution, created the first planned development in the city on the land between Centre Hill Mansion and the river.  The Centre Hill property once included everything from Sycamore St. to Lieutenant Run (a stream). 

 

Sergei finished by answering questions and shared that the Bollings were very active in the Petersburg Jockey Club as Petersburg was once home to three race tracks. 

 

Then, the usual awards were handed out after dinner including youngest/oldest member present, traveled farthest, etc., but this year we added one for our 30th Anniversary: Only Charter Member Present which went to G. John Bowling of Ohio. 

 

Ghost Tour 

 

There are several stories of ghosts at Centre Hill Mansion.  Visitors and neighbors have reported seeing a Lady in White for many years, who looks out different upstairs windows at the developing area around the house.  January 24th is the day that annually visitors hear Civil War soldiers march up the stairs at 7:30 PM and march back down 20 minutes later slamming the front door.  We did not see any spirits during our tour, but I would highly recommend it as you are taken to parts of the house that are not seen on the regular tour like inside the tunnel as well as the attic.  During the Siege this home was pelted with bullets.  All the damage was fixed over the years except one large bullet hole in an interior attic door. This hole is impressive! Also, it is interesting that the attic once held a separate bathroom for each bedroom below!

 

After we had helped close up the mansion for the night, we noticed curtains moving and lights turned back on, which we knew were off!  Hmm…

 

In closing:

 

Before this trip I did not fully understand how influential the Bolling family was in the development of Virginia and the rest of our country.  This mansion was one of 3 mansions in the area they owned: West Hill, Centre Hill, and East Hill (AKA Bollingbrook). Seeing these historical places and knowing that we are walking in our family’s footsteps is a surreal feeling. Being together as an extended family was fun on its own, but being together while learning all this personalized history is what makes these reunions so special. It is amazing how many Bolling sites have been preserved and it is an honor to be able to visit them and celebrate as part of the family, recognizing the hard work our ancestors put in to build these amazing homes and businesses. We hope you can join us next year in Wytheville, VA. -Jonah