For it was that year that the NACAĬommittee on Aeronautics recommended an increase in research dealing with flight to speeds of Mach 10 or 12 and to altitudes from 12 to 50 miles. Men of vision, however, already were looking to the higher speeds and altitudes that would eventually take us to orbital flight. It was the year of the first flight of the YB-52, and the aeronautical community was struggling to advance aircraft speeds from Mach 1.5 to Mach 2. (SLIDE 2) The X-15's beginnings were in 1952. Dryden termed it "the most successful research airplane in history." It flew its last flight over thirty years ago, but to this day, except for the Space Shuttle no aircraft has flown half as high nor half as fast. ![]() ![]() The X-15 flew to an altitude of 354,000 feet and reached a Mach number of 6.70. Lindbergh Lecture at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution by X-15 pilot Bill Dana Mitsubishi didn’t buy the land, but the company’s flirtation with Newport News contributed to the city purchasing the mansion, which opened to the public for the first time in 1998.Part of the Charles A. Executives reportedly were eyeing Lee Hall Mansion to be used as a bed and breakfast to house and entertain important visitors to the plant. In 1995, a subsidiary of the Japanese car company was looking at the land around Lee Hall for a manufacturing plant. to build a neighborhood in 2006, and that deal was ended by 2010.īefore some city officials realized Lee Hall mansion had historical significance, they were hoping Mitsubishi would take over the land and the mansion.īut that idea didn’t make it as far as the mall. Later in the decade, Endview drew plenty of development interest - 40 national developers showed interest in the land around Endview and Lee Hall, and six local developers made pitches for their visions of the property. However, the people behind the mall scrapped the project in 1998, citing a lack of tenants to anchor the $75 million to $100 million project.Ī task force in 2000 charged with advising the city what to build around Endview recommended high-end homes, a golf course and a hotel conference center with specialty shops, with 24 acres to buffer the plantation from the development. The city anticipated the mall would bring in $3 million per year in taxes, create 1,400 jobs for its residents and provide a place for kids to hang out and play video games. ![]() She recalled that past development concepts treated the plantation house as a clubhouse, which she said was not the right way to develop around it. He also said houses should reflect the architecture of the area and the development should be “sympathetic” to the historic resources.Įlizabeth Kostelny, CEO of Preservation Virginia, said community involvement in planning a development is key so that people can provide input, such as if designs are compatible with the historic resource. ![]() “I understand the city’s need for development,” but efforts should be taken to preserve the view and land around the plantation house, Quarstein said. Quarstein said there are concerns with development near Lee Hall and Endview impacting the historic viewshed and character of the area, but he wasn’t opposed to development. Now retired, he worked with the city for years at both Endview and Lee Hall Mansion and oversaw numerous preservation projects throughout his career. Quarstein, a 30-year city employee, worked in the 1990s to allow the Virginia War Museum to use the Endview Plantation house for historic activities. Confederate reenactors fire on advancing Union troops during the "Assault of the Red Battery" Saturday at Endview Plantation.
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