Shine the Spotlight on Historic Homes – Update Added to end!
Governor and First Lady McDonnell Shine the Spotlight on Historic Homes around the Commonwealth of Virginia
Below is the information shared on the Virginia Executive Mansion Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/VAGovsMansion
RICHMOND – Governor McDonnell has signed a proclamation, recognizing 2013 as the Year of the Virginia Historic Home. The announcement was made today by the Mansion Director, Sarah Scarbrough at the Preservation Virginia annual conference in Leesburg, Virginia.
2013 marks the bicentennial of the Executive Mansion. As they commemorate this historic milestone, the Governor and First Lady will also recognize the importance of the many historic homes around Virginia. Virginia has more than 100 historic homes, most of which are open to the public as museums and historic sites. These homes offer a wealth of cultural, historical, and architectural information and promote an understanding of, as well as an interest in the story of Virginia.The Secretary of Natural Resources, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Association of Museums have joined together with the Governor and First Lady to make this effort possible. The initiative will include the launching of a Virginia historic homes tourism website, which will be live on October 4 and a new historic homes edition of the Time Travelers program for Virginians. By highlighting the educational value of these homes and promoting tourism to the sites, the Governor and First Lady intend to ensure their vitality and enhance their value as Virginia cultural assets.More information on the Year of the Virginia Historic Home will be posted on the Executive Mansion’s website on October 4th.
Yesterday, Brett sent an email to the Maureen McDonnell, First Lady of Virginia, about this program. Mrs. McDonnell has spent a lot of time focusing on tourism in Virginia. Brett was seeking information on how to get involved with the program. Today we received an reply from her! She has put us in touch with the programs director!
How wonderful that this program is happening the year we open our historic plantation! Being the birthplace of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, wouldn’t it be something if we are profiled on his birthday, March 16th? That is the date we are also hoping to open our doors too! I couldn’t have dreamed of a better thing to happen!
UPDATE!
We got word today from the Virginia Executive Mansion….
We are going to be included!
More details to come!