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Home My WebLink About114-13 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 114-13 A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CITY COUNCIL'S INTENT TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF PRESERVING THE HISTORIC WOOLSEY FAMILY HOMESTEAD IN WEST FAYETTEVILLE WHEREAS, the City Council has long supported the goal of fostering the preservation of historic structures in Fayetteville; and WHEREAS, Samuel and Matilda Woolsey moved to Washington County, Arkansas, and established their rural homestead here in 1830; and WHEREAS, the Woolsey Family homestead was purchased in 1998 by the City of Fayetteville as part of the land acquisition needed for the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant ;and WHEREAS, the Woolsey house is one of the oldest homes or structures in Fayetteville, but is in need of substantial preservation efforts to ensure it and its grounds survive; and WHEREAS, the City Administration had studied and considered preservation efforts for the Woolsey homestead a few years ago, but did not decide to begin preservation efforts at that time; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes economic conditions now allow an examination of the feasibility of preservation efforts that could be undertaken, and requests that the City Administration work with the Historic District Commission of Fayetteville, the Washington County Historical Society, Fayetteville Forward Historic Heritage Resources Group, and other interested persons and groups to determine the best and most cost effective manner to preserve this historic structure and its grounds, including outbuildings and cemetery; and WHEREAS, the City Council requests that the Administration report back to the City Council with recommendations about the best and most cost effective manners to preserve the Woolsey Family homestead and how this house and its surrounding land can be best made available and useful to our citizens and school children. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its intent to examine the feasibility of the preservation of the historic Woolsey Family homestead and grounds, including outbuildings and cemetery in west Fayetteville and requests that the City Administration meet with all interested groups and persons about this project and present feasibility, preservation and utilization plans for the Woolsey Family homestead and grounds. Page 2 Resolution No. 114-13 PASSED and APPROVED this 21 st day of May 2013. APPROVED: ATTEST: i1 ! LISA BRANSON, Deputy City Clerk V, I ! � R ' r . F ' ''r. r�� f AYrI l i'.VILLkMAca I ; AGENDA REQUEST FOR: COUNCIL MEETING OF May 21st, 2013 FROM: MAYOR JORDAN AND COUNCILMEMBER SARAH MARSH ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TITLE AND SUBJECT: A Resolution to Express the City Council's Intent to Examine the Feasibility of Preserving the Historic Woolsey Family Homestead APPROVED FOR AGENDA: 340�V�,, Is — Mayor Li Bielordan ate ,e�lq Councilmember Sarah Marsh City Attorney Kit Williams �516MOIS Date Date RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CITY COUNCIL'S INTENT TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF PRESERVING THE HISTORIC WOOLSEY FAMILY HOMESTEAD IN WEST FAYETTEVILLE WHEREAS, the City Council has long supported the goal of fostering the preservation of historic structures in Fayetteville; and WHEREAS, Samuel and Matilda Woolsey moved to Washington County, Arkansas, and established their rural homestead here in 1830; and WHEREAS, the Woolsey Family homestead was purchased in 1998 by the City of Fayetteville as part of the land acquisition needed for the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant ;and WHEREAS, the Woolsey house is one of the oldest homes or structures in Fayetteville, but is in need of substantial preservation efforts to ensure it and its grounds survive; and WHEREAS, the City Administration had studied and considered preservation efforts for the Woolsey homestead a few years ago, but did not decide to begin preservation efforts at that time; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes economic conditions now allow an examination of the feasibility of preservation efforts that could be undertaken, and requests that the City Administration work with the Historic District Commission of Fayetteville, the Washington County Historical Society, Fayetteville Forward Historic Heritage Resources Group, and other interested persons and groups to determine the best and most cost effective manner to preserve this historic structure and its grounds, including outbuildings and cemetery; and WHEREAS, the City Council requests that the Administration report back to the City Council with recommendations about the best and most cost effective manners to preserve the Woolsey Family homestead and how this house and its surrounding land can be best made available and useful to our citizens and school children. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its intent to examine the feasibility of the preservation of the historic Woolsey Family homestead and grounds, including outbuildings and cemetery in west Fayetteville and requests that the City Administration meet with all interested groups and persons about this project and present feasibility, preservation and utilization plans for the Woolsey Family homestead and grounds. PASSED and APPROVED this 21st day of May 2013. APPROVED: M. LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer 1 (5/7/2013) Kit Williams - Woolsey Family History Seite 1 J From: David Jurgens To: Williams, Kit Date: 5/7/2013 1:09 PM Subject: Woolsey Family History Attachments: West Side WWTP Site with potential Nov09.pdf Kit, A brief history. I'll search for more. I have also attached the November 2009 potential site plan. David Woolsey Family History The Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary is named after, and was a part of, the original farm settled in 1830 by Samuel Gilbert Woolsey (1791-1858) and his wife, Matilda (1794-1871) only two years after Washington County was formed, and six years before Arkansas achieved statehood. Samuel Woolsey was born and raised on a Kentucky farm, and grew into manhood as a noted hunter and scout. In 1808, he lived for a period of time in Missouri, later marrying Matilda Thompson about 1810 in Illinois. After Samuel served in the War of 1812, he moved his family to Hempstead County, Arkansas in 1814, and later moved to the homestead on this property owned by the City of Fayetteville in 1830, where both he and his wife died and were buried. The Woolsey's participated with four other couples to form the Farmington Ebenezer Methodist Church in 1833. A building plot was offered by the Kinnibrugh couple and a small log building was erected with one door and a window, split log benches and one song book Mrs. Kinnibrugh brought from Virginia. The singing was read line by line and led by the song leader. A Circuit Rider came once each month for church services or for memorial services for those who died during the month. Being a War of 1812 veteran is most likely the reason the Woolsey's came to northwest Arkansas. Veterans of the War of 1812 received quarter sections of prairie land in Arkansas as compensation for war duty. Together, Samuel and Matilda had thirteen children, some of whom are buried at the Woolsey Cemetery located on this property. :, � ��r. _ •-.. .� �.__.�.-" � ... � -, � .. "� - is - - _ - rr Oat- 11 ,k � - � - - � h �• � - 1 tS ��• ice' �� .� ,:z'�c_ � • '�= .. i ''�. - : ,� �� _ � ,, : .';_ :t �,-,�-may ._ .., .2 ry� + R •- •Z7 -"Yk- •':r fir.~ Ir ;A wry + � i . 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