History Of Virginia House

The Women of Leesylvania

I love electricity, it powers just about everything I do at home and allows me to keep working well past dark. My kids love it too, they watch television, play video games, use the computer, etc. When we have power outages they are fun for about an hour or so. We pretend "camp" at home and everyone gets a bit closer until the power returns. Then it’s back to business as usual and we all go our own ways.

Just this week due to the unfortunate demise of my son’s Playstation we were discussing what it would be like to live without power, all the time like they did in the old days.

If you’ve ever wondered what kids did for fun or what it was like to manage a household long ago come to Leesylvania State Park this weekend and get a glimpse of the unplugged past.

The Women of Leesylvania program at Leesylvania State Park this Saturday from 11- 3 will have something for the entire family. Cindy Buck- Thompson, as Martha Fairfax will entertain and answer questions about famous past residents of the park.



Chief Ranger, Sarah Phillips has also arranged a "travelling trunk" filled with colonial clothes for today’s kids to try on for size. There will be period crafts to try and interesting displays to discover. Please drop in and join us. There is a small fee for this program and details can be found on our website

A Park Visitor Post by Deborah from Richmond, Virginia

My three children, my niece and I spent the week between Christmas and New Years at Bear Creek Lake State Park. I enjoyed it so much and wrote a blog post about it: http://pipecleanerdreams.blogspot.com/2010/01/plugged-back-in.html

Park visitor supplied post from Jamie Selden, Richmond, VA

My family and I always visit the state parks and either stay in the cabins or in Our pop-up Camper!!! This New years we decided to spend it as a family at Bear Creek we had a great time as always. What was really nice was the snow still left on the ground from the big snow storm several weeks before. I always tell people how great the parks are and have introduced many friends and family members to all they have to offer!!! Please keep up the great work in making family getaways fun and affordable!!!!!!

Ed Note: Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like. This series will run nine chapters, with many of them split into two parts.

Chapter 7 Being A Park Ranger (Part 2)
 

I then moved from there to Hungry Mother and then Mason Neck state parks.  In a career, don’t be afraid to move and try new things, it all helps to build a solid background of experience.  I even left Virginia State Parks for 3 years and moved back home to work for the Ohio State Parks at Pymatuning State Park, living back in my family’s cottage.  That was really great and I might have stayed, but it turns out Mom and Dad actually wanted to retire into “their” cottage and the thought of me living with them once again was appalling to them. 

So, I returned to Virginia in 1995 to York River State Park as a Chief Ranger again, but was promoted to Manager within short time.  I spent 10 wonderful years there, before promoting to our central office in Richmond.  I became the Customer Service and Marketing Manager, using many of those skills I developed as a salesman for the church raffles and throughout my career.  I have been blessed to have been able to do so many things, from holding a live Red Tailed Hawk in my arms, to stocking rainbow trout, to operating a bulldozer, to flying in a spotter helicopter for spraying gypsy moths, to protecting citizens as a Law Enforcement Officer, to providing life saving rescues, to opening the eyes of children to the wonderful world of nature, to working with the Special Olympics and so many more events that make an award winning career.  

In my final 2 blogs of this series, I will give you the Top 10 things you should do if you want to Become a Park Ranger… and the Top 10 Highlights of my career.
 

A visitor supplied post on Karlan Mansion (at Wilderness Road State Park) by Sandy Treadwell-Hall

Karl Harris, who renovated "Karlan" bought the property sometime in the '50s. There were two homes built for sisters; I recall that with the home, they had the original plans of the home, smoke house, barns, stables and slave quaters and that the brick were made on the property. Karl Harris had first built his home in Middlesboro and it was a replica of Monticello and it burned down prior to his purchase of what is now called Karlan. That first property is now part of the Cumberland Ntl Park. I recall visiting the home in the '50s before heading off to college. Ann (Pan) Harris, Nelson's mom spent years decorating the house; there was a large organ in the downstairs entrance hall by the stairs. They had added a solarium and built a pool. They had stables and hounds. A local family were staff for the family. Nelson Harris sold the property to Virginia before his death in the '90s. Nelson built a home across the road from Karlan that his partner lived in. Nelson had two sisters and a brother; surviving family are scattered around NC and area. My grandmother was Nelson Harris' Great Aunt.

Each year all state park employees participate in the Virginia State Park's FOCUS for Excellence customer service training program. All new employees attend an extensive three hour class intended to arm them with the best customer service skills possible. Additionally, all employees periodically attend a refresher class and receive a monthly newsletter full of customer services tips and articles. Director Joe Elton likes to say "FOCUS for Excellence is not just a program, it's the way we do business."

Besides training our employees, we reward them for exceeding our guests' expectations. While we award certificates, letters and lapel pins throughout the year, we also recognize one outstanding employee from each of the seven districts and our Richmond offices. An overall FOCUS for Excellence Employee of the Year Award is also presented to the employee who we feel best exemplifies what FOCUS is all about.

If you'd like to acknowledge one of our employees for their outstanding customer service skills, visit our website at www.virginiastateparks.gov and click on FOCUS for Excellence or complete a Your Comments Count Survey after a visit to one of our parks. Postcard forms are also available at each park.

This year's FOCUS for Excellence Employee of the Year Award has been given to Stephanie Allen, Office Manager at Staunton River State Park. Stephanie was nominated by her park manager for her extraordinary efforts in handling guest registration.
 

The campground at Staunton River is not only small but has a limited number of each type of site. This often makes accommodating campers that wish to be together a difficult task. Stephanie has not only managed to accomplish this task but has done so in a way that has created many returning guests. While having a reservation only means that you will have a site when you arrive, Stephanie has done everything in her power to accommodate all special requests. This often means looking weeks ahead and calling guests to confirm a request, offering suggestions to the guests on how to accomplish the request, or simply offering an explanation of why we can't honor the request and the best compromise that we will be able to offer.

Taking on this extra task is not always pleasant but she has realized the importance of it and made it a priority. All of her hard work in this endeavor has made Staunton River a second home to many guests who Stephanie knows by first name. She even remembers what type of camping equipment they have. Stephanie's 2009 motto was "You unpack the car and we'll do the rest" and she has held true to that saying.

Other outstanding FOCUS Employees for 2009 are:

District I - Sarah Hipple, Office Assistant, York River State Park
District II - Linda Rouse, Program Support Technician, Belle Isle State Park
District III - Ricardo Hoyos, Interpreter, Mason Neck State Park
District IV - Caroline Garmon, Park Ranger, Pocahontas State Park
District V - Emily Taylor, Housekeeper, Staunton River State Park
District VI - Gary Harris, Maintenance Ranger, Claytor Lake State Park
District VII - Pam Smith, PST, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park
Richmond Offices - Raleigh Layne, Reservation Counselor, Reservation Center

Please join us in congratulating all of these outstanding employees!
 

Celebrate Christmas during the 1860s in Southside Virginia at the Hillsman Farm House Museum on Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th.  See the Hillsman home adorned with traditional decorations of the Civil War period.  Living historians will tell of how the families of Southside Virginia celebrated the holiday during the war.  A Victorian Santa Claus will visit with children to hear their wish list.  The event will be held at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park from 12 to 5 p.m. on both days.  Free Admission. For more information, call the park office at 434-315-0349.  The park is located on Route 617 (Saylor’s Creek Road) off Route 307 in Amelia County.

Submitted by J. Shane Newcombe

Mulberry Hill is the ancestral home of the Virginia Carrington family, which was instrumental in many aspects of our country’s history from its infancy following the Revolutionary War leading up to the strategic Battle of Staunton River Bridge during the War Between the States.  The estate earned the name “Mulberry Hill” from the endeavor to raise silk worms, which fed on the overabundant mulberry trees located throughout the acres.  However, a local silk industry never reached fruition. 

The manor house dates back to the mid 1700s: its outbuildings, law office, and grounds provide a perfect timeline of history for interpreting the life of a successful colonial family that encompasses more than two hundred years of history.  The descendants of the Carrington family donated the house with all of its period antique furnishings as well as forty acres of land to the Staunton River Battlefield State Park in 2003. 

This year, the Historic Staunton River Foundation, a private organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and development of the Staunton River Battlefield State Park is hosting an Open House at Mulberry Hill with an Antebellum-themed Christmas. 

There will be a guided tour of the mansion, grounds and Judge Paul Carrington’s law office.  Docents in period dress will be present in each room of the house and in the law office to inform visitors about the uniqueness and history of the treasured heirlooms and period antiques. Please share in the joy of visiting with a jolly ol’ Antebellum Santa Claus! 

Also, there will be refreshments available to emulate what would have been available to families during Christmas for the duration of the hardships of the War Between the States. Confederate re-enactors of the 14th VA. Inf. Co. K and 23rd VA Inf. Co. will be on hand along with volunteer interpreters to provide visitors with a glimpse into the past. See how soldiers survived the harsh winters and what rustic and simple methods they used to celebrate the Christmas season.  The re-enactors will bivouac in the boxwood gardens.  Their encampment will be complete with tents, flags, campfires, and other accoutrements that will highlight an almost “realistic-feeling” of living history.  In addition, an open campfire will feature period cooking techniques and foods.
 
During this time of year, when we often become wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we should remember to take time out of our busy schedules to share in the joys of the season and to give thanks. 

Come out and share in the yuletide and cheer of the holiday season by making plans to attend the Antebellum Christmas Open House at Mulberry Hill on either Saturday or Sunday, December 5 & 6 from 1-5PM.   Don’t forget your cameras!  The event is open to the public. Admission is $5/person and children under 6 are admitted free.   Tickets are only valid for the one-day pass and can be purchased at the Roanoke Station Depot in Randolph.    Parking is available at the Depot, and a free shuttle service will usher visitors to and from the Plantation. 

The money raised from this event will go towards fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of supporting the Battlefield State Park and its continued restoration efforts at Mulberry Hill.  The Foundation is exclusively operated by a dedicated group of volunteers and its yearly dues-paying members; if you are interested in joining the Foundation or would like volunteer with this event or future events, please call 434.454.6219.  Also, please visit the Foundation’s website at  www.stauntonriverbattlefield.org.

Although Staunton River Battlefield State Park does not offer lodging, Staunton River State Park’s cabins are less than a thirty-minute drive away. For more information or to make reservations, call 800-933-PARK (7275) or go to www.virginiastateparks.gov.

Turn on the southern charm with a unique wedding at Chippokes Planation State Park in Surry, Virginia!



With an antebellum mansion, formal gardens, three unique overnight cottages, and a spectacular view of the James River, Chippokes Plantation State Park is the natural setting for your wedding ceremony and wedding photographs.

 
Having your wedding revolve around an historic theme provides ample opportunity for your creativity and unique style!! 


We recommend wearing an historic ante-bellum gown instead of a traditional wedding dress, carrying a parasol instead of wearing a veil, using a horse-drawn carriage instead of a limo, having a musket salute or jumping the broomstick, booking an orchestral trio or hammer dulcimer instead of a band or DJ, or using old fashioned lanterns and heirloom flowers for centerpieces.



Chippokes Plantation is centrally located in Surry--just 45 minutes from Richmond and approximately one hour from Tidewater.  For more information on weddings at Chippokes Plantation State Park, please contact Glorestine Evins, Business Manager, at 757-294-3625 or email chippokes@dcr.virginia.gov. 




 

• Beautiful natural and historical resources that we are privileged to protect and share with Virginians and visitors to our state.

• Incredible and dedicated volunteers who devote their time to support our parks.

• Dedicated staff who often work more hours than they have to in order to make our parks wonderful places that are a tonic to the mind, body and spirit.

• A supportive Governor and legislature that continue to support our parks.

• The Virginia taxpayers who support our parks with tax dollars.

• The more than 7 million visitors who come to our parks each year and help contribute to our operations by paying user fees.

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