A few items of history found in Gazette-Journal files have reminded us of the importance of preservation and celebration of our history.In 1923

One hundred years ago, the Seaboard Medical Society, meeting in Newport News, got the ball rolling to preserve a treasure. The Gloucester Gazette of Dec. 13, 1923, reported that the society “voted to have a committee appointed … to work with a similar committee of the Walter Reed Medical Society in taking some action toward restoring the birthplace and home of Walter Reed.”

The article continued, “The Society was informed that the old house, located in Gloucester County, is in a bad state and at this time is being used as a fodder house.”

It took a couple of years, but by 1926, donations were being taken for the cottage’s restoration and the Medical Society of Virginia took ownership.

The birthplace of the great physician, Dr. Walter Reed, was saved. It has gone through a few ownerships and it remains in great shape, open to the pu...