Nelson County Historical Society News August - 2013 www.nelsonhistorical.com

“Remembering Gladstone” Draws Large Crowd

Gladstone Memorial Baptist Church Gladstone Memorabilia on Display

The Nelson County Historical Society hosted a special program entitled “Remembering Gladstone” on Sunday, June 9th at 2 p.m. in the Gladstone Memorial Baptist Church in Gladstone. The program featured personal reminiscences of life and work in Gladstone from the 1930s to the 1980s as well as exhibits of Gladstone scrapbooks, photographs and railroad memorabilia.

The June 9th program was of special interest to members of the Gladstone community and their descendants; to people who lived, worked, shopped, worshipped or attended school in Gladstone; and to lovers of railroad history. The program generated a “standing-room only” crowd of many people who live in the area, former residents and those who wanted to know more about this historic railroad town.

Joan Rothgeb, a Gladstone native, was the organizer and moderator of the program. The highlights of the program were presentations by five Gladstone natives, recalling the shaping influence of Gladstone on their lives and families:

 Joe Lee Sites, a West Point graduate, who grew up in Gladstone in the 1930s and 1940s and whose mom was an outstanding teacher who successfully taught multiple grades in a one school room;  Ann Taylor Miller, a Mary Washington College graduate, whose parents Bud and Irma Taylor were prominent Gladstone merchants;  Willie Cyrus, who worked for many years on the C&O railroad;  Mary Ellis Nunnery, the oldest living native of Gladstone; and  Eddie Rothgeb, who grew up in Gladstone in the 1940s and 50s.

Also featured were Charles Wayne Brown’s extensive collection of Gladstone scrapbooks and photographs; and Carroll Turner’s outstanding railroad history collection, including C&O Railroad artifacts.

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Willie Cyrus, Charles Wayne Brown, and Joan Rothgeb, Carroll Turner displays his railroad collection program organizer and moderator

Every seat was taken - standing room only Joe Lee Sites speaks of his early years in Gladstone

ca. 1950 – Gladstone 1957- C & O YMCA – building no longer standing Photo- Charles Wayne Brown collection Photo – Charles Wayne Brown collection The Gladstone community, known as Horsley’s Landing until 1881, was established as a terminal on the C&O’s main line midway between Richmond and Clifton Forge by 1889. At Gladstone the railroad built a church, YMCA and depot. The church was known as the “C&O Baptist Church” until renamed Gladstone Memorial Church in honor of four native sons killed in World War II. The railroad terminal was closed in 1985, when CSX took over operation of the line, although the office remained open as a semi-automated coal fleeting service area until 1993. 2

2013 - Year of the Historic Home

Fostering the heritage of the Commonwealth by promoting education about and tourism of Virginia's Historic Homes.

In 2013, Virginia's Executive Mansion will celebrate its 200th birthday. The past 200 years at the Mansion have been rich with history - much like the past years at many of Virginia's historic houses. To celebrate 200 magnificent years at Virginia's Executive Mansion and to increase awareness of other historic residences in Virginia, the Governor and First Lady have declared 2013 as Virginia's "Year of the Historic Home."

Virginia's Governor and First Lady celebrate this Year of the Historic Home by encouraging Virginians and her visitors to visit the many historic homes throughout our beautiful Commonwealth. Take a look around -- you will find that many houses are hidden jewels right around the corner from your homes and places of work.

(Press Release from the VA Governor’s Office – January 2013)

Nelson County Historic Homes

Nelson County Historical Society has had a long history of showcasing historic properties in the county. The homes and properties tour sponsored by the Nelson County Historical Society has continued for over 20 years. Many people have been able to visit these historic properties and learn about the rich history, see artifacts, and view beautiful surroundings that are a part of Nelson County’s heritage.

The 2013 Nelson County Historic Homes and Properties Tour was a success and enjoyed by many county residents and visitors from other areas. It was through the efforts of many people that this tour was enjoyed by about 150 people and an equal number of helpers: docents, tickets sales, and parking attendants. The homeowners did an outstanding job in getting their properties ready for the tour and special thanks go to each of them for their willingness to share their property with those in attendance. The Nelson County Garden Club did a beautiful job of arranging flowers at each of the locations to further enhance the properties for the day. Trinity Episcopal Church provided a delicious lunch for visitors and Ted Hughes displayed some of his restored antique farm Guests arrive at Old Arrington School equipment at Woodson’s Mill.

Food items from Woodson’s Mill products Parlor at Inglewood Lavender Farm 3

Nelson County Historical Society Home Tours

2013 – Inglewood; Old Arrington School; Oakland Museum; Trinity Episcopal Church; The Rock House (Rose Mill Road); Woodson’s Mill 2012 – No Tour 2011 – Unveiling of the W.A.R. Goodwin marker in front of Christ Church in Norwood; Montezuma and Bon Aire, Wingina Store and Post Office; St. John’s Baptist Church –lunch 2010- No Tour 2009 – Riverside Farm (Roseland), Oakland Museum, Windy Ridge, Beauregard Mawyer House, Peebles House, Lovingston Baptist Church (Rutherford Law Office) , Courthouse Structures and Monuments, Nelson United Methodist Church (lunch) 2008 – No Tour 2007 – The Crabill Home, The Turpin Home, The Beard Home, Legacy, The Currie Home, Nelson County Courthouse, The Nelson Center, Lovingston Opry, Wells-Sheffield Funeral Home 2006 – Edge Hill, The Carriage House & Brick House at Oak Ridge Estate, Tall Poplars, Warwick Hall, Cherry Hill, Fairmount Baptist Church, Old Shipman School 2005 – Crawford House, Hughes House, Rockfish Presbyterian Church, Saddleback Farm, Valley Farm III, River Run Farm 2004 - Rock Cliff – St. Johns Baptist Church – Old Norwood - DuLaine Farm – Bethany United Methodist Church – La Maison Cabell – Christ Church 2003 – Harewood - Blue Rock – Bethlehem United Methodist Church – Willow Brook – Edgewood – Tyro Farm 2002 – Stevens-Varnum House – Red House – Rockford – Waveland – High Green – Rock Springs United Methodist Church – Mt. Shiloh Baptist Church 2001 –Riverside – Jonesboro Baptist Church – Cat Rock – Higginbotham-Bendle – Four Gables – Mountain View Christmas Tree Farm 2000 – Valley View – Breeze Hill – Grace Episcopal Church – Pharsalia – Flippin-Morgan – The Rock House 1999 – River Bluff – Three Ridge Farm – Glenthorne, - Upland Farm – Rockfish Valley Baptist Church – Fork Farm/Fork Crest 1998 – Greenfield – Woodley Farm – The Looking Glass House – Rodes United Methodist Church – Redland – The Afton House 1997 – Old Arrington School – Strother House – Oak Ridge Railroad Station – Nelson United Methodist Church – Tye Brook – Heritage Hill 1996 – Rockford – Locust Grove Baptist Church – The Sears Roebuck House – Waveland – The Gathering 1995 – Mount Rouge – Gabriel House – Trinity Episcopal Church – Lea House – Freshwater Cove Farm 1994 – Mark Addy – Glenthorne – Elk Hill – High View – Aspen Row 1993 – Old Norwood – Inglewood – Wingina Store – Profitt-Crabill House – Legacy – Peebles-Lingo House – Christ Church 1992 – Cherry Hill – Pharsalia- River Bluff – Soldier’s Joy – Woodson’s Mill 1991 – Oak Ridge Estate 1990 – Bus Tour from Lake Monacan to Verdiman’s Pass - Massie’s Mill - Grace Episcopal Church – Tye Brook 1989 – First Annual Home Tour -Bus Tour from Lake Monacan - Reenacting Rev. Robert Rose’s Plantation Tour – Verdiman’s Pass to Martin’s Mill

The Society files in the Nelson Memorial Library have about 200 “Home” files with information about the properties listed above and many more. The Research Committee is always seeking more information on Nelson County Homes, so please share pictures or historical information with us. The Society “Home” files have recently been replaced with hanging file folders for easy reference – come by and see!! 4

Is it Reids Gap or Reeds Gap? The Reids Gap sign is at the intersection of Beech Grove Road (Route 664) and the (MP 13.5).

For many years the sign had Reeds Gap, a misspelling of the family for whom it was named. With a great deal of determination and many contacts to highway authorities, Russ Reid, a descendant of the Reid family, was able to have the change made to the appropriate spelling, Reids Gap. Highway maps and Blue Ridge Parkway maps have been changed along with the spelling on the highway sign. (More on the Reid family in a later issue)

Many Contributions Made to the Society by Recently Deceased Members

While the passing of any Society member is always a loss, we have recently lost individuals who have made a significant contribution toward the mission of the historical society to help preserve, promote, and share the history of Nelson County. Carolyn Barkley, Julian Hesson and James Hight gave of their time and talents to the Society in many different ways.

Carolyn Barkley, a relatively newcomer to the county, came with many skills in genealogy research. She helped to direct the historical plays sponsored by the Wintergreen Nature Foundation (WNF) and worked on the development of the historical Nelson County exhibit at WNF. As a certified genealogist she offered her help with inquiries to the Society that took more time and knowledge than the research committee could offer.

Julian Hesson along with his wife, Jean, organized the historical society files that are housed in the Nelson Memorial Library for use by the public. Jean’s sister, Joan Rothgeb related that “there were no files when they started and they did the work on a manual typewriter or handwritten; they organized all the material and established the file categories, spending hours and hours doing it. They also did the research and wrote the first cemetery book on cemeteries in Southern Nelson County.”

James Hight, Jr. was the author of Remembering Roseland, a book about his father’s family connections in the Roseland area of Nelson County. For many years, Mr. Hight was a Virginia Episcopal School (Lynchburg) teacher, librarian and archivist at the school, whose warm personality endeared many students to consider him a lasting friend after their graduation. He was certainly a friend to the Nelson County Historical Society with his generous contributions to the Society collection, including Nelson County books, and family pictures. His gift of many copies of Remembering Roseland for the Society to sell and keep the proceeds greatly added to the treasury. He was very surprised that so many people wanted to purchase a copy of his book. After all the books had been sold, the Society purchased more copies and they are on sale at Oakland Museum and the Nelson County Visitor Center.

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Donations to Society Files - May – July New Members to the Society Kathy and Shannon Tillman ------Arrington, VA 1945-46 Schuyler H.S. yearbook – The Breeze Margaret and Kenneth Taylor ------Arrington, VA Reunion booklets for Schuyler School – 1991 – 1997 Mary Dawson Edwards ------Schuyler, VA Given by Elizabeth Fortune – Richmond, VA Michelle McKinney ------Nellysford, VA

Rhetta and Jim Bearden ------Charlottesville, VA History of the Whitehead Family 1761 – 2013 Maria & Paul Spence ------Roseland, VA History of Trinity Episcopal Church – Nelson Trudy Hale ------Norwood, VA Parish “Oak Ridge” Arrington, VA Text of the Robert Whitehead program Donna P. Ingram------The Villages, FL presentation by Bill Obrochta, to the Society - Deceased Members

March 2012 Carolyn Barkley ------Nellysford, VA Given by Ann Whitehead Thomas – Winchester, VA Henry “Chip” Dawson ---- Charlottesville, VA

Jullian Hesson ------Gladstone, VA Gladstone articles and photographs Given by Joan Rothgeb – Shipman, VA and Charles James “Jay” A. Hight ------Lynchburg, VA Wayne Brown – Richmond, VA Oakland Museum Commemorates 44th Soldier’s Joy article (printed in Spring 2013 Anniversary of Hurricane Camille Cabell newsletter) – Given by Nancy Wood, Wingina, VA When: Saturday, August 17 at 1:00 p.m. and again at 2:15 p.m. at Oakland Museum Norwood Storm DVD – Sept. 18, 2012 – Given by Pat Price, Norwood, VA Presenter: Ed Tinsley, Retired VA State Trooper

Resource Guide to Nelson County Genealogy He was one of the first to respond to the disaster and Research – Given by Debbie Harvey – Lovingston, kept an audio diary of his experiences. VA

To request an on-line copy: Trooper Tinsley spent hundreds of hours in Nelson [email protected] County helping with search and recovery efforts in the

wake of Camille, recording his recollections and taking ------Nelson County Historical Society Board photos of what he witnessed. He was a trooper for 45 years, the only Virginia state trooper to achieve that

President – Robert (Bob) Carter length of service. He has made presentations on

Vice- President – Samantha Embrey Camille dozens of times to community organizations Secretary – Becky Howard and schools, donating any income from these Treasurer – Jean Brent presentations to the museum. Robert Goad - Dick Whitehead- Andy Wright On August 17th, Oakland will also present “Voices and Photos of Camille,” a new 13-minute slideshow that uses an audio documentary by WVTF public radio as a soundtrack for photos mainly taken in the immediate aftermath of the event. It will play continuously in Oakland’s Camille exhibit room. The documentary accompanying the slideshow features the voices of Nelsonians who experienced Camille. They include then-School Superintendent Henry Conner, Warren Raines (who, together with his brother Carl, survived the flood but suffered the loss of their parents and siblings), then- county Supervisor Cliff Wood, and six other county residents.

The August 17 event will be held rain or shine. It will take place in a large tent unless weather forces it inside. If moved inside, a third presentation will be offered at 3:30 pm. Call 434-263-8400 for last minute information. No charge for the event, but donations to support the museum will be appreciated.

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Nelson County Historical Society Meeting

Sunday, September 15, 2013 – 2:00 pm at

Rockfish Presbyterian Church 5016 Rockfish Valley Highway (Rt. 151) Nellysford, VA

Program: Crozet Project

Presentation by: Allen Hale

Come and bring a friend!!

Allen Hale, representative of the East District on the Nelson County Board of Supervisors and chairman of the Blue Ridge Tunnel Foundation, will be the featured speaker at the Nelson County Historical Society’s September 15, 2013 program at the historic Rockfish Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hale will speak on the history and historical significance of the Blue Ridge Tunnel as well as the progress of the Foundation’s efforts to preserve and restore the tunnel.

The Blue Ridge Tunnel was constructed between 1850 and 1858 under the leadership of the brilliant French Engineer Claudius Crozet (1789-1864). Construction of the tunnel was a major engineering feat, employing mostly Irish laborers and African-American slaves simultaneously excavating the tunnel from each end using only hand drills and black powder for a distance of nearly 1 mile (4,273 linear ft.) It was the longest tunnel in America at the time of its completion, and allowed safe Westward expansion from the Eastern part of the . The tunnel ceased operation in 1944 and was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1976.

The mission of the Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Foundation is to restore and preserve the Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel as a valuable historical asset and recreational destination for both Nelson and Augusta counties in Virginia. The tunnel project will incorporate a trailway through the restored tunnel, accessible from both sides by trail hikers, walkers and bicyclists, linking to existing trail systems. The tunnel is located in Virginia’s at Rockfish Gap. The eastern entrance is in Afton, in Nelson County

The Blue Ridge Tunnel is ready for restoration. The initial planning process and design for the trails, parking areas and amenities has been completed, and will be realized upon additional funding and the settlement of easements. Groundbreaking for Phase I of the project is expected to begin in the coming months.

Becky Howard, Newsletter Editor [email protected] 7

Nelson Co. Historical Society P.O. Box 474 Lovingston, VA 22949

RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED

Dates to Remember Membership Information Dec. 9th Single Membership - $15.00 Hurricane Camille Program at Oakland Museum

Saturday, August 17th Family Membership - $20.00 1:00 pm & 2:15 pm

Life Membership - $200.00 Blue Ridge Tunnel Program (Individual) Rockfish Presbyterian Church Sunday, September 15th Mail to: Nelson County Historical Society 2:00 pm P.O. Box 474 Lovingston, VA 22949