On September 29, 2018 PEC held its 7th annual mountain heritage day at historic Mount Fair Farm in western Albemarle County. The property’s owners, John and Dudley Macfarlane, generously opened up their property to the public so that the entire community could take a trip back in time to learn about the mountain culture of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Over the course of the day, more than 300 visitors joined us.
We had an incredible speaker series that featured Phil James’ fascinating history of the communities and families that once lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains around Mount Fair, Cathy Mayes discussing the history of the American chestnut trees and its role in the mountain communities, and Celia Vuocolo’s history of fishing in the mountains as well as current efforts to bring back the brook trout. Nearly 150 participants took part in our concurrent walking tours, led by Lynn Rainville and Elizabeth Lipford, which focused on the architectural history of Mount Fair as well as the history of its enslaved community. The display room in the barn was packed full of photos, posters, books and lively conversation throughout the day.
It was a wonderful day, filled with music, memories, and a renewed appreciation for the Blue Ridge’s mountain heritage. Thank you to all who took part!
Please consider becoming a PEC member or renewing your membership to help make events like this one possible.
The Historic Tract Maps which we had on display at the Albemarle Mountain Heritage event are available for purchase. These tract maps show the ownership of land within the Albemarle County portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains prior to the creation of Shenandoah National Park. The maps, in a 24×36’ format, are available for our members to purchase for $15, including tax, shipping, and handling. Those who purchase a print of this map, can also receive a digital version of the map.
To purchase a map, visit our online order page >>