Photo AlbumsAlabama Monument Finding AideThese documents from the GNMP V17-39 Alabama Monument Files are related to the NPS approval of the erection of the Alabama Memorial on the Gettysburg Battlefield. They are presented in chronological order. 1. Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall of the Alabama Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (AL UDC) to Superintendent Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg, Nov. 18, 1931 Mrs. Sewall (AL UDC) informs the Superintendent, Gettysburg Battlefield that the AL UDC is collecting funds to be used to erect an Alabama monument on the Gettysburg Battlefield and requests information “necessary … to secure permission to erect a monument there, who selects the site, the materials to be used and anything else that you think would be important.” 2. GNMP Supt. E. E. Davis to Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce President Henry W. A. Hanson, Nov. 23, 1931 Supt. Davis alerts President Hanson that the AL UDC is “accumulating a fund” to erect an Alabama monument on the Gettysburg Battlefield. Also, he is providing both Park maps and Chamber of Commerce information to Mrs. Sewall so as to “render her and her committee all possible assistance.” 3. Supt. E. E. Davis to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall AL UDC, Nov. 23, 1931 Supt. Davis is pleased to hear of the plans for an Alabama monument at Gettysburg and is providing her with a copy of the National Military Park regulations related to the erection of a monument. He also mentions it is customary for a committee to be formed for that purpose and he has requested a survey be performed for an appropriate monument site and letting the local Chamber of Commerce know of her intentions. 4. Supt. E. E. Davis to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall AL UDC, Nov. 27, 1931 Supt. Davis details the Park’s monument regulations regarding the monument’s location and its relationship with Alabama troops’ actions on the field. He provides a list of publications to aid in the site selection process and gives two possible sites with pros and cons associated with each. 5. Jas H Laubach Q.M. Corps to Frank Hammaker, H &B Memorials, April 21, 1932 The Assistant to the US Quartermaster informs Mr. Hammaker that regulations of the erection of a monument on the Gettysburg Battlefield may be consulted at the office of the superintendent of the GNMP and he will “give you advice on the subject.” (Note: The GNMP does not have a copy of the Hammaker letter to the Quartermaster of April 16, 1932.) 6. Invitation receipts from James Laubach, Q.M.C. Assistant, Fred E. Davis, July 28, 1932 Receipts for “approval of the Assistant Secretary of War and the Asst. Quartermaster Corps has been received and is being forwarded to the Supt. GNMP. 7. Acting Supt. James B. Aumen to Frank Hammaker, Aug 3, 1932 The monument site, specifications and inscription for the AL monument has been approved. 8. Acting Supt. James B. Aumen to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall, Aug. 4, 1932 Mr. Aumen informs Mrs. Sewall of the approval of the AL Monument plan. 9. Department of the Interior Memorandum of Publicity & Educational Work for AL Monument, June 1933 This DOI memo indicates four key areas for providing the publicity and educational work to be accomplished regarding the erection of the soon to be completed AL monument. 10. Supt. E. E. Davis to Quartermaster 3rd Corps Area, June 13, 1933 Details of the AL monument including blueprints, photographs and monument specifications for the AL monument are provided to the Quartermaster, Third Corps Area, Baltimore, MD. 11. Frank Hammaker, H &B Memorials to GNMP Supt. James McConaghie with Monument Specifications, Sept. 5, 1933 Mr. Hammaker provided Supt. McConaghie with the Inscription for the AL monument and a slight change in the “size of the die stone” and in the “walk material.” The granite stone will originate in Gettysburg. 12. Supt. James McConaghie to Director National Parks, Buildings and Reservations, Sept. 7, 1933 Supt. McConaghie is alerting the Director National Parks, Buildings and Reservations that a change has been made by the AL UDC to the AL monument inscription by substituting “IMMORTAL” for “ETERNAL” and the participation of the AL UDC in the erection of the monument. The Superintendent sees no objection to these changes and expects the dedication to be held in “early part of November” 1933. 13. Assoc. Dir. A. E. Demaray to Supt. James McConaghie, Sept. 18, 1933 Mr. Demaray acknowledges receipt of Mr. McConaghie’s letter of September 9 (it was dated the 7th) and Mr. Demaray has no objection to the changes and grants McConaghie’s approval of the changes. 14. Frank Hammaker to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall AL UDC Oct. 9, 1933 Mr. Hammaker informs Mrs. Sewall of the change in management of the Gettysburg National Military Park from the War Department to Secretary Ickes of the Department of the Interior. 15. Tentative Schedule for Unveiling AL Memorial supplied by Frank Hammaker to Supt. McConaghie, Oct. 10, 1933 A tentative schedule for the Alabama Monument is supplied by Frank Hammaker to Supt. McConaghie. 16. Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall to Sec. DOI H. L. Ickes, Oct. 14, 1933 Mrs. Sewall writes Secretary Ickes for approval of the dedication date of November 12, 1933 for the AL monument at Gettysburg. 17. Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall to Supt. James McConaghie, Oct. 14, 1933 Mrs. Sewall also writes Supt. McConaghie that she has been informed of the change in departmental management of the Gettysburg Battlefield and the AL UDC’s expectation is for the Alabama dedication will be held on November 12, 1933. 18. Supt. James McConaghie to Director National Parks, Buildings and Reservations, Oct 19, 1933 Supt. McConaghie alerts the Director that the AL UDC’s intention is to have the Alabama monument dedication on November 12, 1933 and the Superintendent will need his approval of that date. 19. Supt. James McConaghie to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall, Oct 19, 1933 Mr. McConaghie informs Mrs. Sewall of the Park’s approval of the dedication of the Alabama monument on November 12, 1933. 20. Arno B. Cammerer Director, DOI Buildings and Reservations to James McConaghie, Oct 26, 1933 Mr. Cammerer makes it clear to Supt. McConaghie that in regard to the unveiling of the Alabama Monument on November 12, 1933 “Careful arrangements should be made for this event. It means a great deal to have Secretary Chapman (at that time an Assistant Secretary, DOI) get the right idea about our Gettysburg program.” Director Cammerer goes on to describe the procedures the Superintendent should follow in corresponding with Secretary Chapman. 21. Asst. Sec. Oscar Chapman to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall, AL UDC Oct 26, 1933 The Secretary of the Department of Interior will be unable to attend the dedication of the AL monument “and has designated me (Oscar Chapman, Assistant Secretary) as his representative of the United States.” 22. Supt. James McConaghie to Director National Parks, Building and Reservations, Oct 30, 1933 Supt. McConaghie informs the Director that a copy of the Asst. Secretary’s letter to Mrs. Sewall of October 26th has not been received and that the AL UDC “has not dealt with his office concerning the dedication arrangements. She has been “dealing somewhat with Hammaker Brothers who are erecting the monument.” He feels that if his office made a “direct attempt to offer suggestions” it might be construed as “interference.” However, his office will be sure Mrs. Sewall knows their services are at her disposal “to render any assistance she may require.” 23. AL UDC, Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall to Supt. James McConaghie, Nov. 1, 1933 Mrs. Sewall has sent Supt. McConaghie a copy of the program to be used at the AL dedication and was hoping “to have a Jewish Rabbi participate in the exercises” and she is hoping “one still may be able to do so.” 24. Director Arno B. Cammerer to Supt. James McConaghie, Nov 2, 1933 Director Cammerer has sent Supt. McConaghie a copy of the Chapman letter to Mrs. Sewall and instructs the Superintendent to “carry out the instructions given in our letter of October 26th.” The Director also is concerned with the program submitted and and suggests “that you get in touch with Mrs. Sewall at once to authenticate the program,” since the Asst. Secretary “is planning to be present and take part.” The Director, in a handwritten comment indicates he is also planning to attend the dedication. 25. Supt James McConaghie to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall, Nov 3, 1933 Supt. McConaghie confirms Mrs. Sewall’s invitation to him for the AL dedication and expresses his appreciation. He also mentions the Park’s interest in the dedication exercises and the beauty of the site selected. Final details are also mentioned concerning the platform to be erected and a concern for not knowing the expected size of the audience. Other matters are also mentioned including the fact that his mother was born in Mobile Alabama and he has an Aunt living there as well. 26. Supt. James McConaghie to Director National Parks, Building and Reservations, (No Enclosures Attached) Nov. 4, 1933 Supt. McConaghie acknowledges receipt of Chapman’s letter to Mrs. Sewall and “The enclosed letter to directed Mr. Chapman through your office is submitted in accordance with instructions.” Supt. informs Director Cammerer that the tentative dedication schedule sent to the Director is the only one the Superintendent has seen. He also briefs the Director on a pamphlet the Park historians are preparing a pamphlet that will be used on Dedication Day and can be of use to the Chamber of Commerce. Road closures and arrangements for the Speaker platform and seating are also progressing. He also indicates he is pleased both Mr. Chapman and Mr. Cammerer will be in attendance at the dedication. 27. Supt. James McConaghie to Assistant Secretary, DOI, Oscar Chapman, (Through Director Cammerer), Nov. 4, 1933 This letter from the GNMP Superintendent briefs Mr. Chapman with an overview of the preparations that have been made to accomplish the erection and dedication of an Alabama monument at Gettysburg is looking forward to Mr. Chapman seeing the entire Gettysburg Park during his visit. Mr. McConaghie also provides details of the actions of Alabama troops on the battlefield during the battle. 28. Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall to Supt James McConaghie, Nov. 6, 1933 Mrs. Sewall appreciates Supt. McConaghie’s letter of November 3rd, is pleased by the suggestions about the Speaker’s Platform and the arrangements made for the speakers. And she also makes a point that “her acquaintance” with him has become a “real friendship” when she learned the Superintendent’s mother was born in Mobile Alabama and he still has family there. 29. Request for Alabama unveiling info to Supt. Battlefield of Gettysburg, Nov. 6, 1933 A request for the date and time of the Alabama Dedication is sent to the GNMP Superintendent. 30. Dir. DOI Arno B. Cammerer to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall, Nov. 8, 1933 Director Cammerer informs Mrs. Sewall that “due to illness Secretary Chapman will be unable to attend the Alabama dedication and Director Cammerer will accept the monument on behalf of the United States.” 31. Dir. DOI Arno B. Cammerer to Supt. James McConaghie, Nov. 8, 1933 Director Cammerer informs Supt. McConaghie that “due to illness Secretary Chapman will be unable to attend the Alabama dedication” and will he reserve a room for him and his wife for the dedication. 32. Dir. DOI Arno B. Cammerer to Supt. James McConaghie, Nov. 10, 1933 Director Cammerer has just learned that the Alabama dedication will commence at 2:00 o’clock on Sunday instead of 11:00 o’clock as he believed, so he will probably start from Washington by automobile “early Sunday morning.” He also wants confirmation of the name of the hotel where he will be staying. 33. Program for the Dedication of Memorial to Alabama's Soldiers, Nov. 12, 1933 A program of the Alabama Dedication Ceremony with handwritten corrections is presented here. 34. Program for AL Monument, Nov. 12.1933 A final, official Program for the Dedication of the Alabama Monument on November 12, 1933 is presented. 35. Frank Hammaker, H & B Memorials, to Director Arno B. Cammerer with Monument Photo, Nov. 15, 1933 Mr. Hammaker thanks Director Cammerer and he “deeply appreciates the keen interest your department takes in Gettysburg National Military Park.” He mentions Supt. McConaghie and his staff “deserves distinct commendation.” He also mentions that the AL UDC paid for Mr. Cammerer’s Hotel bill and Mr. Hammaker covered his meal expense and will reimburse the Director of any other expenses he incurred during his visit. 36. Frank Hammaker, H & B Memorials, to Supt. James McConaghie, Nov. 18, 1933 Supt. McConaghie thanks Mr. Hammaker and his staff for their cooperation and assistance “in making the occasion of the unveiling of the Alabama Memorial a memorable affair.” 37. Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall Chairwoman to Supt. McConaghie, Nov. 21, 1933 Mrs. Sewall, on behalf of the AL Division of the UDC, is “most grateful” on the occasion of the Dedication of the Alabama Memorial. “It was not mere perfunctory service, but we felt that your kindness came from the heart.” She also mentions she called his Aunt in Mobile about the dedication. 38. Supt. James McConaghie to Mrs. Lewis (Irene) Sewall Chairwoman AL UDC, Dec 7, 1933 Supt. McConaghie thanks Mrs. Sewall for her kind note and he mentions the Al monument has received favorable comments in Gettysburg. And closes with “it was not a duty but a pleasure for this office to have been able to assist you.” 39. Alabama Monument Preservation/Maintenance, October 1988, GNMP Arthur Voorhess Exhibit Specialist This document provides a detailed description of the Alabama Memorial as it appears on the Gettysburg Battlefield as of October 1988. 40. Costs of Improvements & Modifications to AL Memorial, 1933-1994 This is an analysis of the costs for major improvements and modifications of the Alabama Memorial from 1933 to 1994. |
Last updated: March 22, 2022