HISTORY:
The Williamsburg
Chapter 637 was organized in 1902. It’s founding President was Annie Baker
Tucker Tyler, the wife of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, the then President of the College
of William & Mary and daughter–in-law of 10th President of the U.S., John Tyler.
In 1908, the Chapter raised funds, and with the backing of the City of
Williamsburg and James City County, VA, erected the Confederate Soldiers and
Sailors monument in memory of those who fought from these areas. The obelisk was
first placed on the Palace Green in Colonial Williamsburg, and then subsequently
moved to an additional four locations, the last being to Fort Magruder, also
known as Redoubt 6, an earthen fortification built in 1861 that was at the
center of the Confederate line during the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1962.
Redoubt 6 was bequeathed to the Williamsburg Chapter in 1951. The monument was
vandalized in 2020, a year in which the Confederate symbols and monuments were
attacked across the Nation, and the City of Williamsburg voted to remove the
monument from Bicentennial Park and to deed the monument to the Williamsburg
Chapter, who raised funds to move it and to re-erect it at its current location
at Fort Magruder.
TODAY:
The Williamsburg
Chapter 637 remains the proud steward of Fort Magruder, Redoubt 6 and the
monument. It is through generous donations that we are able to provide for the
continued care of this historic property.
FINANCIAL
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Your support is
critical to the continued care and preservation of Fort Magruder. All
contributions are greatly appreciated. At this time, there is an opportunity to
offer your support, as well as to become a permanent part of its history by
purchasing brick pavers in honor and memory of your Confederate ancestors or
family members; current or past UDC, SCV or other Confederate society members;
or perhaps to purchase brick pavers in memory of a soldier of sailor who fought
in the Battle of Williamsburg, some who may have fought and/or died on the very
soil where these pavers will be placed. Brick pavers may be purchased online or
by completing a brochure order form.
Brick purchases and any additional donations made through the brick portal, or the brick order form will all be used to provide for the ongoing costs to operate and maintain Fort Magruder and Redoubt 6. Bricks will be installed in the Spring of each year prior to the May memorial service of the Battle of Williamsburg, which is held annually at Fort Magruder, Redoubt 6. All donors will be invited to the memorial service and will be named in the memorial program.
