Confederate Memorial Park, Inc
http://www.confmemparkinc.plpow.com
In 1863 the Federal Government opened a Prison Camp to house Confederate soldiers and civilians at Point Lookout , Md. Pt. Lookout is the southern most point in Md. jutting out into the Chesapeake Bay. The prison operated for approximately 18 months during the War Between the States. The camp was designed for 10,000 prisoners but actually housed over 20,000 at one time with a total of over 50,000. Because of no housing (tents), lack of food and sanitation, thousands of people died while confined at Pt. Lookout.
In 1911 the Federal Government constructed a monument near the mass grave. They have 3,384 names inscribed on the monument, but many more names of known dead have not been listed.
In 1991, an organization was formed dedicated to the memory of those imprisoned as well as to the historical truth through research. This organization is Point Lookout Prisoner of War Descendents Organization (PLPOW). The 500-plus members hold yearly memorial services as well as reenactments of prison life. Unfortunately, the U.S. Veterans Administration has forbidden the group from flying a Confederate flag over the graves of the Confederate soldiers. Also, they required the organization to turn in, for editing, any comments to be made at their events as well as posted a list of rules and regulations with severe penalties such as fines and imprisonment.
Needless to say we were shocked and dismayed that, in this country so dedicated to constitutionally guaranteed free speech, this type of censorship has been forced upon a group of law abiding citizens. We consist of respectable citizens such as decorated veterans, ministers, businessmen and government workers. This has led to the purchase of land adjacent to the Federal Monument for the construction of a suitable memorial. This memorial is unparalleled in scope to any other Veterans memorial in the region other than the Vietnam and WWII Memorials in Washington DC .
PLPOW created a new 501-c-3 organization Confederate Memorial Park (CMP, Inc) to construct this memorial. Private donations from individuals and local businesses have enabled us to purchase the land, erect the flag poles and create a fitting memorial plaza. The third phase of the project is the erection of the bronze statue of a full sized POW. The bronze is being created by nationally renowned sculptor Gary Casteel. Mr. Casteel is the sculptor of the Longstreet monument at Gettysburg , North Carolina Reg. at South Mountain and is currently creating the work for the National Civil War Memorial.
We need to raise $45,000 for the bronze statue within the next year. Mr. Casteel is committed to this project and has donated a substantial discount. In the interest of getting the project started, CMP has made a deposit, borrowed from the bank, of $25,000 to Mr. Casteel. The bronze takes 1 year to complete. Anyone interested in following the progress of the creation of the statue can log on to [www.garycasteel.com] tentatively starting in December of 2007.
I am including additional information for you to review for your consideration of a donation to complete this project. All contributors will be recognized on our website and contributions of $2000 or more will be permanently recognized at the park. Any donation is tax deductible and would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jim Dunbar
Chairman Checks to be made out to
Confederate Memorial Park CMP
Pt Lookout Descendants Org c/o Frank Towberman -Treasurer.
1st Lt Cdr. Md. Div SCV P.O. Box 337
301-934-1716 Claremont , Va 23899
Confederate Memorial Park, Inc
Site Update – Jan 2008
Point Lookout , Maryland
http://www.confmemparkinc.plpow.com
Jim Dunbar- Chairman Checks made to:
301-934-1716 Confederate Memorial Park, Inc c/o Frank Towberman –Treasurer
(501c3 tax deductible) P.O. Box 337
Claremont, Va. 23899
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Item |
Status |
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Land 3.17 acres, $30,000 |
Paid in Full |
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Parking Lot for 8 cars |
Under Construction |
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Walkway 35’ x 12’ with retaining walls and built in benches PLPOW is outlined in walkway, 6 columns in retaining wall |
Constructed |
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6 – 25’ flag poles w/ internal halyard and revolving trucks that carry National flags of Confederacy |
Constructed
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A 4 ton granite block that is the same stone that the Federal Monument is constructed. It fell off the delivery barge in 1911 and was retrieved from the bay by local residents who donated the stone to CMP. The stone will have bronze tables with names of dead missing from Federal Monument |
In place Tables to be fabricated after statue completed |
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66’ circle w/ retaining wall and pavers. In the center of the circle is a 9’ tall Monument base. This base will have bronze tablets with site dedication and 2 side tables with lithographs scenes. An ached doorway at the rear of the monument will allow visitors to view a painted mural of prison life. A life size bronze of a Confederate POW figure is being sculpted by Gary Casteel. Next to the Monument is a 50’ flagpole w/internal halyard that flies the Confederate Battle Flag. The base and flag will be illuminated as well as security cameras will be set up. |
Base constructed – statue ordered for delivery 08
Lighting operational |
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13 – 25’ flag poles are inside the circle along the retaining wall. These represent the 13 Confederate States including KY and Mo.- |
Erected
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Adjacent to each state flag will be a state tree planted (some state trees may not be winter hardy in Md. A substitute species may be considered)) |
Complete |
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Memorial bricks for placement around the monument Orders forms for bricks of POWs names on web site |
93 in Place –order yours now |
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Landscaping, shade trees and shrubbery |
In progress |
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Point Lookout Historical Marker to be placed to left of walkway |
Fall 07 -complete |
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Interpretive signs placed in areas of Memorial Park |
2008 |
Fiscal update
Flag poles sponsors needed -3 rd National -$2000 each
Statue – cost is $45,000. We are borrowing from bank the deposit of $25,000 and the final payment is due at completion fall in 08. – We raised ¼ of the money toward the statue.
Future expenses (not yet determined) Ongoing expenses
Security cameras Electricity
Bronze tables Insurance
Interpretive signs Flag Replacements
Donor plaques