|
The Associated Press May 7, 2012 By Steve Szkotak RICHMOND A preservation group has included Secretariat's birthplace amongthe most endangered historic sites in Virginia, prompting a plea bythe thoroughbred's owner to keep alive the legacy of the 1973Triple Crown winner. Meadow Farm in Doswell is one of 11 places and properties containedin Preservation Virginia's annual list of endangered sites, whichwas released Monday. Among the other entries are an historicoverlook of the James River in Richmond, a train depot in FranklinCounty and the rural landscape of Pittsylvania County. The latteris threatened by the possibility of uranium mining and milling, thepreservation group said. For many Virginians and fans of horse racing, however, the story ofSecretariat and the woman who challenged the male-dominated worldof the sport still resonates nearly 40 years after the chestnutstallion's stirring, record-shattering run for the Triple Crown. Owner Penny Chenery was the pioneering woman behind Secretariat,who remains the greatest racehorse of all time, in the view ofmany. But now Meadow Farm's future is uncertain, with its scheduledauction on May 22. The State Fair of Virginia Inc. bought theproperty in 2003, moving the annual attraction from Richmond to 350acres in Caroline county. Beset by heavy losses since the costlymove, the nonprofit that put on the fair filed for bankruptcy andhas liquidated its assets, with the horse farm next to go. The foaling shed where Secretariat was born on March 30, 1970,remains on the property, as does his stall in the yearling shed andthe training barn. Chenery, in a statement released by Preservation Virginia, said sheis hopeful the new owner is mindful of Meadow Farm's history. "We very much hope that any future owner will see the inherentvalue of returning The Meadow to its best use not only as the siteof the State Fair of Virginia, but as a historic equine destinationthat no other state can claim," Chenery said. Besides his stunning 31-length win in the Belmont Stakes, "BigRed" set records there and the Kentucky Derby that still standto this day. Secretariat wasn't Meadow Farm's only star. In 1972, Riva Ridge wonthe 1972 Kentucky Derby and the Belmont — two jewels of thecrown. Secretariat died Oct. 4, 1989, at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky. Preservation Virginia releases its list of endangered placesannually to highlight places, buildings and archaeological sites"that face imminent threats to their integrity or in somecases their very survival." The list was to be formally released on Richmond's Libby Hilloverlook. The majestic view of the James River is threatened by aproposed high-rise condominium project, Preservation Virginia said. The other listings, with descriptions provided by PreservationVirginia, are: — New Market Road corridor, Henrico County, which crossessome of the most historic lands in the state leading to Richmond. Aproposed four-lane highway and bridge threaten these lands. — Ashland Theater, vacant and little used for 17 years, it isthe victim of neglect and disrepair. — Gwaltney Store, Suffolk, condemned and vacant for manyyears, the 19th century structure was once a dominant feature inthe Chuckatuck community. — Talbot Hall, Norfolk, one of the last two remainingantebellum plantation homes in the city, and once the residence ofEpiscopal bishops. Church leaders are putting on the property onthe banks of the Lafayette River on the market. — Slate Seed Company, South Boston, a 19th century GreekRevival frame building that dates to tobacco's heyday. Now vacant,it is in danger of demolition. — Boones Hill Depot, Franklin County, is owned by NorfolkSouthern, which has offered to donate the building so it can bemoved and saved. Residents are working to raise funds. — Virginia Tech, Lane, Brodie and Rasche Hall, Blacksburg.The commandant of the Corps of Cadets is proposing to raze thehalls, each dating back more than a century, for the constructionof a new dormitory for cadets. — Whitehorn-Banister rural historic landscape, PittsylvaniaCounty, a rural landscape that played an essential role in themid-18th century founding of the Southside Virginia county. Theland is threatened by the possible operation of a uranium mine atColes Hill. A 30-year ban on uranium mining would first have to belifted. — Morgans Ford low water bridge, Warren County, is a historiccrossing of the Shenandoah River, approaching from winding roadsthrough historic and scenic farmland. The state is proposing toreplace that single-lane, 321-foot bridge constructed in 1925. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Mini PC TV Box Dongle , China 2G Calling Tablet, and more. For more , please visit Android Touchpad Tablet PC today!
Related Articles -
Mini PC TV Box Dongle, China 2G Calling Tablet,
|
