THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 10, 1994 TAG: 9408090132
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
A 17th century church has moved into the 20th century, so to speak.
And Dick Austin, curator of Historic St. Luke's Church, couldn't be more excited.
``It's almost the 21st century,'' Austin said, chuckling. ``Don't you think it's about time?''
The move has nothing to do with a relocation. It does have to do with catching up with modern technology at the church, built in 1632 and designated a national shrine.
For years, Austin said, he visited historic spots all over. And almost everywhere he saw that the first thing presented to visitors was a video presentation or short movie about the history and appeal of the site.
``I've been wanting one here for years,'' he said. ``Finally, one of the board members volunteered his video camera. But I think the board realized we needed to have something done professionally.''
The Board of Directors of Historic St. Luke's Restoration Inc., responsible for day-to-day operations of the church, agreed to set aside $15,000 for the video production, Austin said.
Austin wrote a rough script, providing all the facts. He especially wanted to pay tribute to the many individuals who through the centuries have contributed to the church's survival.
``And I wanted it to be pretty,'' he said, nodding at one scene, where the sun peeks through ancient trees on the grounds surrounding the church.
The board contracted with Features International, a Chesapeake company that specializes in television commercials and videos. Film crews spent two days at St. Luke's, Austin said, one day in April, when the dogwoods were blooming, and they returned in May, on the day of the church's annual pilgrimage or homecoming.
The result is exactly what Austin says he was hoping for.
A professional actor narrates the 13-minute documentary that takes the church from its beginnings in Colonial Virginia to its present-day position as a tourist attraction that brings thousands of people to Isle of Wight County each year.
The film points out architecturally interesting features of the church, tells how it was probably built and about the people who took a prominent part in its construction.
Also highlighted are the people who cared about the church's restoration and survival, people like the sisters Jordan - Susan, Ella and Elizabeth - and Henry Mason Day, the man who led the major restoration during the 1950s.
The video also offers visitors a glimpse of several priceless artifacts that aren't usually displayed to the public, things like a pair of silver wine ewers (pitchers), silver chalice and trencher plate.
And there's a brief tour of the surrounding cemetery. Visitors are invited to pay particular attention to plots of prominent families and several stones that tell stories of the deceased person's life and death.
The money set aside by the board paid for the actual production and for renovating several small rooms within the gift shop to carve out a mini-theater.
Equipment and furnishings for the room were paid for with a $3,125 grant from the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund. The fund, Austin said, is geared toward helping charitable organizations.
DuPont was a Virginian, Austin said. She grew up on the Northern Neck and married into the DuPont Chemicals family. St. Luke's was one of the organizations she supported.
Austin said he hopes that eventually copies of the video will go to local schools and libraries, be available to civic organizations and perhaps even be sold in the gift shop. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LINDA MCNATT
Dick Austin, curator of Historic St. Luke's Church, in Isle of Wight
has a professionally produced 13-minute documentary about the church
and a mini-theater where visitors can view it.
by CNB