Chris Fonvielle led the research into the site, documenting its history on six informational panels that have been placed throughout the park. Daniel Ray Norris of Slapdash Publishing worked with Fonvielle to design and develop the panels.
Henson said Lewis Jr. considered giving the land directly to the Federal Point Historical Society, but knew it was clear the by-the-bootstraps society didn't have the financial resources to make the park happen.
Instead, the town took on the responsibility of Lewis Jr's vision with the society's assistance. In total, Pierce said, the town contributed $120,000 to construct the wooden bridge and complete grading and land clearing.
"I'm so excited to have this open green space in the middle of all the town's development," she said. "Not many towns own their own park. Other than the boardwalk, this is something we can own and it's beautiful."
Although some will likely take issue with the designation of the park as a Civil War site in today's hyper-vigilance of that era's history, Henson said the park's purpose-- and Lewis Jr.'s intention -- is to preserve history so it survives for others to tell the stories today and tomorrow.
"This is a very long time coming for us and for him," she said. "This was the way he wanted the land used."
--Old B-R'er
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