A portion of the proceeds from the sale of The Mockingbird's Ballad will be contributed to the restoration of the Joe Wheeler home at Pond Spring, near Courtland, Alabama, in Lawrence County. It is estimated that 95% of the contents of the Wheeler residence date from the period between the 1860's and the early 20th century-artifacts, clothing, furniture, fixtures, records, uniforms, weapons, equipment, correspondence, etc. A $9.2 million project is planned.
The State of Alabama Historical Commission is in the process of restoring Pond Spring. Renowned experts and craftspeople are working with professional staff, scholars and volunteers to present Pond Spring to the public (grounds, eleven buildings, cemeteries and Visitor/Educational Center) as the finest living museum west of Williamsburg and east of San Simion. Visitors and researchers will be able to walk through time to an era that buried one culture and birthed another, the time between 1850 and 1900.
Who knows, "Fightin' Joe's" spirit might greet you at the gate and invite you for a walk in the garden or to take supper with him, Miss Daniella and the children. You could press him to tell you about his and the boys' Ride 'Round Rosecrans in 1862, or the taking of San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill in 1898. Don't be disappointed if he'd rather talk about what promise the Tennessee Valley and waterways hold for Southern renewal and America's greatness. He's like that.
Miss Annie Early Wheeler (1868-1955) was the Wheelers' second daughter, and she faithfully maintained her family's possessions and Pond Spring. Today it is a collection of remarkable historical and cultural significance. Her fifty-seven years of involvement with the American Red Cross (in three wars: as a nurse with Clara Barton in the Spanish-American War, Cuba and the Philippines, and in France during World War I, as well as her energized World War II state-side efforts when she was over seventy years old) make up no small part of the Pond Springs story and treasure trove.
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There are a variety of ways people can become involved in saving and restoring Pond Spring.
Visit the Joe Wheeler Home at Pond Spring.
23 miles west on Interstate 65 (Exit 340) on AL Hwy. 20 (Alt. US 72), 17 miles west of Decatur, Alabama, 26 miles east of Muscle Shoals. Nearby are historic Wheeler Dam of TVA, Joe Wheeler Wildlife Preserve, Wheeler Lake and Joe Wheeler State Park.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday hours: 9 AM - 4 PM Sunday hours: 1 PM - 5 PM Groups are scheduled any day of the week.
For information call 256-637-8513.
E-mail: www.wheelerplantation.org Help save and restore Pond Spring.
Tax deductible contributions may be made to: Friends of the Joseph Wheeler Foundation Pond Spring 12280 AL Hwy. 20 Hillsboro, AL 35643 Volunteer This project offers a wide variety of opportunities for hands-on participation in the life of Pond Spring; restoration assistance, helping with educational programs, being a guide, helping with archives, etc. Contact Pond Spring for additional information.