Rockfish Valley Foundation
Culture & History Program
February 26th, 2023
Peter Agelasto III
Woody Greenberg
Tommy & Yvette Stafford - Nelson County Life and Blue Ridge Life
Tommy & Yvette Stafford - Nelson County Life and Blue Ridge Life
Their past news reporting career led them to a fulfilling journey of following their passions from West TN to Frisco, CO to settle down here in Afton, VA where they founded The Afton Group. The result was Nelson County Life magazine followed by Blue Ridge Life magazine.
They established their niche in local feature and lifestyle stories with the first issue delivered April 1, 2005, and after 192 issues the business ended in 2020. A searchable index for nearly 1000 stories of people, places and things from their publication has been created by Nathan Parrish at RVF.
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Susan Huffman NCL and BRL online resource and other resources
Susan Huffman NCL and BRL online resource and other resources
As the Nelson County Branch Manager of the Jefferson Madison Regional Library (JMRL) for eight years, Susan has excellent organizational, leadership skills as she interacts with the community positively with family fun events and programs. Originally from Amherst County, her father, Ted Hughes grew up in Nelson County. Susan taught second and third grade in Nelson County Schools for 30 years. The Nelson County library branch’s expansion which began in 2019 doubled the size of the building but tripled the size of the library space. The library celebrated its 50th year in 2022 under her leadership.
To find out more information about how to get the free JMRL library card call the Nelson Library at (434)263-5904 or email to library@nelson.ca with your full name and address for assistance.
Lynn Coffey - BACKROADS resource and other library resources.
Lynn Coffey - BACKROADS resource and other library resources.
In 1980, Lynn moved to the tiny mountain top village of Love and began a heartfelt relationship with the native elders living around her. She learned many of their old-time activities and in 1981, she began documenting their culture in a small newspaper called BACKROADS. Lynn Coffey's BACKROADS is a historical record of early people and places throughout the county. Lynn Coffey felt the importance of preserving the rich culture of the area’s mountain people and their lands. Over a 25-year span of time and 300 issues much information was gathered and printed in BACKROADS, along with vintage photographs the mountain people graciously donated, adding credibility to their stories. There is an index compiled by the Waynesboro Library online and copies of each BACKROADS in various libraries including the Nelson County Memorial Library. She retired from the newspaper publication in December of 2006, and began a new chapter of reservation by continuing to interview the older people who grew up in Nelson County and compiling their stories in six consecutive books written over a ten-year period. They are no longer published and hard to find.
To quote Lynn, "I, Lynn Coffey, believe God gives everyone a certain gift in this life to develop and use not only bless to themselves but others as well. My gift was, and continues to be, capturing the disappearing way of Appalachian life from the people who lived it. Now I find myself retired from book publishing and looking forward to working to continue to capture the enduring and all-important history of Nelson’s mountain people who unknowingly contribute a priceless legacy for generations to come.”
Becky Howard – Nelson County Historical Society and resources
Becky Howard – Nelson County Historical Society and resources
Becky Howard has been volunteering with the Nelson County Historical Society for over 20 years, she has been recognized by the Virginia Genealogical Society for exceptional service that advances local Virginia genealogical research.
Howard taught math at Nelson County High School and began volunteering after retiring in 2001. She started volunteering in the Nelson Memorial Library doing research for residents who had questions about their past or the county’s past.
Becky has been an integral part of the society and the Oakland Museum, a museum in Arrington dedicated to exhibiting the history of Nelson County. Howard’s accomplishments include securing funding to support the organization and archiving of artifacts and genealogy resource materials, conducting research in response to queries on Wednesday afternoons at the Nelson Memorial Library; organizing and chairing the biannual historic home tours since 2005, including researching the history of the homes and families; researching, documenting, and publishing the Nelson County Cemetery Book in 2007 and an update a few years later, and serving as editor of the quarterly Nelson County Historical Society Newsletter since 2005.
Her vision and leadership have provided the resources to ensure that the history of Nelson County, its families, and communities is preserved and available for researchers today and in the future.
Johnette Burdette, Edith Napier and Emma Wardlaw NELSON
HERITAGE CENTER and its programs and resources
Emma Wardlaw Board member and Native of Nelson County. Educated in Nelson County Public Schools. Pursued degrees in Business Education and Educational Leadership. Taught in Nelson County Public Schools and later became Principal of Nelson County High School.
Edith Napier is an active board member of NHC and believes in the citizens of Nelson. She continuously works to make the county a better place. She was educated through the challenges and rewards of life with her formal education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
Mary Rose She retired from the University of Virginia as a Computer Systems Specialist after 26.5 years of service.
Mary serves as Board member and secretary of NHC and the Millennium Group and is responsible for keeping systems updated and for educating, mainly seniors in computer basic training at the center. She is the brains behind operations and interviews of the Nelson County Oral History Project.
Johnette Burdette, executive director of the Nelson Heritage Center Johnette Hutcheson Burdette serves as the first Executive Director of the Nelson Heritage Center (NHC). She brings over 23 years of experience in education, policy, and nonprofit organizations. A graduate of Saint Paul’s College, she holds a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University, and is currently working to complete a doctoral degree in Educational Policy from Virginia Tech (2024).
The Millennium Group is dedicated to promoting education, preserving culture and
history of all citizens and providing social and cultural experiences for the community
Ernie Reed Nelson Culture and History
Ernie Reed Nelson Culture and History
Over the past 5 years, Ernie has served on the Nelson County Board of Supervisors for the Central District and provided leadership with:
Ernie is a retired teacher and school administrator. He was one of the community leaders that opposed and organized to defeat the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. His experience includes leadership of local and national conservation and educational non-profits, small business management and 13 years of part-time employment at Wintergreen Resort. He and his wife, Charlotte, live on his family forest farm, in a self-built home. He has 5 children, 6 grandchildren and a deep love of Nelson County.
Gene Hughes – Wintergreen historian, comments and publications
Gene Hughes – Wintergreen historian, comments and publications
Gene Hughes was born on Spruce Creek Rd. in Wintergreen VA Nelson County. His parents were Doris Marshall Hughes and Tucker Hughes. He lived and grew up in the home that his Grandfather Alexander Hughes built around 1890. Along with his brothers he attended Nelson County Public Schools until he joined the military at 18 years of age. He was assigned and served the USS Suffix County LST for five years after recruitment. After serving in the Navy, he joined the US Coast Guard. His service included a tour of duty aboard the CG Cutter Glacier in Antarctica, Sylt and Germany in New York City. Before retiring he completed assignments as Officer in Charge and Company Commander at the Jupiter Lighthouse in Islamorada SAR Station, Florida, and the Montauk LightHouse on Long Island New York City.
He is an author, and a self-proclaimed storyteller and keeper and caretaker of the Coleman, Harris, Davis, Marshall, quote, Dameron, Hughes family graveyard and a carver and collector of wooden objects and antique metal items found or bought at locations along the old Wintergreen-Rockfish Valley area. Rockfish Valley Foundation elected Gene as the Wintergreen Historian and he walks the trails daily. HIs main interest now is the Coleman-Harris Mill site at the corner of RT 151 and Glenthorne Loop. Bio compliments of Wayne Drumheller.
Liz Richardson stories of Wintergreen
Mary Buford Hitz Our Love of the Land
Mary Buford Hitz Our Love of the Land
Mary Buford Hitz is a native of Richmond and the daughter of Elizabeth Scott Bocock and John H Bocock. Sixty years ago, she married Fred Hitz, and they divided time between Charlottesville and the Afton area. She taught in both Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. On her return to Virginia, she and her husband settled in Alexandria, where she worked for magazines and newspapers as a freelance journalist. Hitz has written for the Washington Post, and the Richmond Times Dispatch.
For Love of the Land is a hardcover, full-color history of the Wintergreen Resort, one of the first environmentally conscious developments in the country. The book explores the dreams and realities that led to the inception and development of Wintergreen, a resort and residential community placed upon 11,000 acres. This land’s primary boundaries have been intact since the 18th century, preserving ancient ecosystems, archaeological sites, and a unique cultural history.
Mary is an author of note. In 2000, the University Press of Virginia published her wonderful biography of her mother, Never Ask Permission: Elisabeth Scott Bocock of Richmond. It has had three editions. All her works receive high praise from critics.
Little known is the fact that Mary Buford Hitz was an active member of Rural Nelson, an environmental group which had a large impact on Nelson County. She remains active in the Rockfish Valley.
Mary Cunningham Crozet Gazette Rockfish Valley articles
Mary Cunningham Crozet Gazette Rockfish Valley articles
Mary Cunningham has lived in the Afton community of Nelson County for 23 years. She maintains a very active lifestyle and has volunteered all over Nelson County. She has made a difference. Her efforts have supported the Rockfish Valley Foundation and Rockfish Valley Community Center. She’s volunteered with Rockfish Valley Community Center since its beginning and is a member of its Board of Directors, currently serving as Secretary.
She graduated from the Wharton School of Business and earned a master’s in training and development from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Mary was previously elected to the Nelson County School Board and served as Trustee from 2010 - 2013. She also served as both a board member and District Chairperson for Virginia School Board Association in 2013.
Mary began writing wonderful feature stories for the Crozet Gazette in 2018. She now is a columnist writing about events and issues in the Rockfish Valley which can be found online on the Crozet Gazette website.
Her long career includes healthcare, pharmaceutical development, financial services, and adult education. She’s served area youth as a Girl Scout leader, a financial aid advisor and as a foster parent. She ran for North District supervisor of Nelson County in 2021.
FON�Friends of Nelson
FON�Friends of Nelson
The Lessons Learned project undertaken by Friends of Nelson is a video interview documentary produced by Woody Greenberg, and an associated publication by Ron Enders, of Nelson County citizens on the fight against the Atlantic coast pipeline. Ron and Woody conducted taped interviews with 30 persons involved in the fight against the ACP, many of whom were FON members. The publication highlights the lessons learned through FON's organization and the ensuing battle to victory and is meant to be available as a resource for other groups.
Q&A PANEL AND PUBLIC
NELSON SCENIC LOOP
The Nelson Scenic Loop is a 50 mile auto and bike tour that features Nelson County’s bounty of natural, cultural, and historic attractions. Comprising Route 151, Route 664, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Route 56, the Nelson Scenic Loop traverses both the lower foothills of the Piedmont as well as the summits of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
Scenic and natural wonders abound. Hike the Appalachian Trail, visit Crabtree Falls, or stop at scenic overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along the way visit breweries, cideries, apple and peach farm markets, pumpkin patches, and more. Shop for crafts. Eat local food and enjoy the views from the many local restaurants.Begin your loop journey at the Rockfish Valley Foundation’s Natural History Center on Route 151 in Wintergreen, VA.