Building a Railroad Park

Ed Trask’s steam train mural side-by-side a modern CSX locomotive

Picture this: a traveler on I-95 passes a highway sign before the Ashland exit that reads, “The Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park”. Whether it is because of genuine curiosity or the squirming children in the back seat, the traveler takes the Ashland exit and makes her way into our town. As it’s envisioned, the Park will be hard to miss because its railroad history exhibits will create a walking tour through Downtown Ashland.

“Once completed, the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park will welcome visitors to stroll through the historic district and enjoy an exciting variety of sights and exhibits,” explains Dan Bartges, a Downtown Ashland Association volunteer who originally proposed the idea of creating the Park.

Video explanation of the project

Exhibits will include a 1923 train station, an authentically restored 1926 red caboose, Hanover County Black Heritage Society exhibit, the Ashland Museum, America’s longest railroad mural, special presentations about major railroad inventions and innovations, and of course the more than 60 mighty freight and passenger trains traveling the East Coast's main rail artery through the heart of downtown.  Special exhibits will include 19th and 20th century advances in locomotive engines, Eli Janney’s knuckle coupler and the revolutionary wheel truck, or “bogie”.

Downtown Ashland, with its quaint and quirky charms, already draws visitors to stroll by the shops and restaurants along the railroad tracks and to cross over between the quaint railroad station and the swathe of green that begins Randolph-Macon College’s campus. The Railroad Park project promises to enhance its setting, to spur economic growth and vitality for the community, and to attract more boutiques, shops and restaurants.

Ashland Train Station

“The important thing about the Railroad Park is that it be community-led,” said Maggie Longest, executive director of Downtown Ashland Association, the local non-profit spearheading the project.  “The Community Stakeholder Committee responsible for development of the Park’s exhibits and content represents individuals from all segments of our town.  The Park will share our local story alongside the legendary saga of America’s railroads, because the two are interlinked.”

“The project’s purpose is two-fold,” explains Tom Wulf, a videographer and tireless Downtown Ashland Association volunteer who has spent many hours helping to develop the project. “First, it's intended to vividly portray the immense social and economic contributions of American railroads, both past and present, through the unique lens of Ashland’s extensive railroad history.  And second, to invite visitors and local residents to more fully enjoy Downtown Ashland, to visit shops and restaurants, and to feel a sense of our unique community.”

The Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park’s eight exhibits will be located within easy walking distance of each other, mostly along Railroad Avenue and England Street. When it opens, the attraction will be managed by the Town of Ashland, free to the public year round and include interactive exhibits and an app to further enhance the tour.

Rendering of a Railroad Park exhibit

Recently, the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park project was offered a $50,000 matching grant from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation to spur construction of the Park. The Foundation will match donations from individuals, organizations and businesses up to $50,000, but only if Ashland raises the matching amount by November 30, 2020.

"In a town with such a unique culture, bringing to life an important piece of our history can create a lasting attraction for everyone,” adds Maggie Longest. “And the key to making the Railroad Park a reality is for our community to match the grant. Donations of any amount are welcome.”

To learn more about Ashland’s efforts to create the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park and how individuals and businesses can help, go to ashlandvirginia.com/railroad.

Black Studies at R-MC

As Randolph-Macon College begins its Fall Semester this week, students have the option of a new major in Black Studies. The college has for many years offered a Black Studies minor; its popularity inspired the creation of the new major. Randolph-Macon College is the first among Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges to offer this major.

Downtown Ashland Association recently discussed the program’s significance with Dr. Alphine Jefferson, director of the Black Studies Department. Read his insights below.

How does a Black Studies Major from R-MC help to prepare a student for the modern workforce? 

Classroom in the R-MC Old Chapel
Photo courtesy of Randolph-Macon College

“The major in Black Studies prepares students to participate fully in the modern workforce because they are taught a set of essential aptitudes and proficiencies. Black Studies is the ideal major to prepare students to be both leaders and participants in a global economy which requires cultural sensitivity to issues of equity, diversity and inclusion.”

In addition to the primary goals of teaching students effective oral communication and writing, Black Studies also emphasizes geographic and multicultural literacy, as well as critical reading and thinking. Consequently, the acquisition of these skills provides students with the social capital and essential dynamic tools to be active, informed, and responsible citizens at local, state, and national levels. Moreover, a degree in Black Studies is an excellent credential for students interested in community organizing, non-profit work, political activism, and careers in social service.”

How do Black Studies students at R-MC interact with the local Ashland community?

R-MC video of Dr. Alphine Jefferson recognizing Juneteenth 2020

“Faculty and students in the Black Studies Program at Randolph-Macon College have interacted with the local Ashland community in a variety of ways. We have co-sponsored an annual Juneteenth Program in conjunction with the Hanover County Black Heritage Society and worked with Ashland Theatre to show and discuss several important films, including ‘Selma’, ‘In the Heat of the Night’, and most recently ‘Harriet’ and ‘The Hate You Give’."

In addition, the RMC Black Studies Program has promoted community attendance and participation at its cultural events. Members of the Ashland community have been attendees at lectures, performers in plays, and singers in concerts. In addition, Black Studies faculty and students worked to get The Janie Porter Barrett Center on the National Historic Register and place an Hanover County Historic Marker for The Reverend John Preston Clarke at Abner Baptist Church, as well as create exhibitions and sponsor talks at the Pamunkey Library System.”

Why is creation of the Black Studies Major significant for the College and its history?

Boydton Institute and Bible College students
Photo courtesy of Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail

“Randolph-Macon College has an interesting, if little known, connection to an elite Black private school. After RMC moved to Ashland in 1868, its original campus was used to create the Boydton Institute and Bible College. From 1878 until 1933, this school provided multiple levels of education to several generations of Blacks. The school was known for its rigorous academic programs and its skill at training students who became leaders in the civil rights movement.”

Randolph-Macon College Black Studies students
Photo courtesy of Randolph-Macon College

In addition, the RMC major in Black Studies offers an alternative perspective on ‘the received cultural heritage’ of America as well as an Afrocentric critique of the Eurocentric principles which guided the nation’s creation.”

Tunes on the Tracks

Downtown Ashland will host an outdoor concert series beginning Saturday, August 29th!

Tunes on the Tracks is a family-friendly event held on the front lawn of Hanover Arts and Activities Center along the railroad tracks. Each concert will feature the area’s finest local bands, playing music across multiple genres including rock, soul, country, folk, and bluegrass.

Each ticket provides admittance for up to five people who will be seated in a dedicated 10’x10’ viewing area. Concessions will be available, including snacks, soft drinks, and adult (alcoholic) beverages. Each concert will last 90 minutes to two hours.

Safety is a priority. Patrons are expected to stay within their designated viewing area, except when visiting the restroom or the concession area. Plan to bring the whole family! All ages are welcome, although valid photo IDs will be required to purchase or consume alcohol.

This exciting concert series is a collaboration of local non-profit organizations Ashland Theatre and Hanover Arts & Activities Center. Both have faced challenges during the pandemic. The groups joined forces to offer customers a safety-conscious outdoor gathering. Combining the contacts and experience of both non-profits made the concert series possible.

Information and tickets for Tunes on the Tracks are available at ashlandtheatre.org.

Supporting Local Business

Photo by Michael Gannon

Downtown Ashland Association voiced its support for further assistance to local businesses in a letter to Ashland Town Council. The letter states,

August 21, 2020

Ashland Town Council
101 Thompson Street
Ashland, VA 23005

Dear Councilors,

Downtown Ashland Association supports the Town of Ashland’s efforts to help local businesses adapt to COVID-19 and its economic impacts. The Town took quick action, allowing outdoor dining and providing safety early in the pandemic. These programs helped Ashland businesses to adapt more quickly and effectively. Now, as federal recovery funding is available to local governments, further action is needed to sustain local business during the economic crisis.

There is a significant need for recovery funding to Ashland businesses. To date, the financial assistance offered to businesses within the Town of Ashland is not equal to assistance offered to businesses elsewhere in Hanover County. The County’s Small Business Resiliency Grant Program provides up to $7,500 for personal protective equipment, safety enhancement, technology and e-commerce, supplies, and other expenses, but excludes businesses within the Town of Ashland. The Ashland Economic Development Authority’s Small Business Resiliency Grant Program provides Ashland businesses up to $2,000, but only for personal protective equipment and safety enhancement expenses. At the same time, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s RebuildVA Grant Program offers up to $10,000, but excludes businesses who receive recovery funds from federal or local government. The result is a confusing system that does not provide Ashland businesses equitable quantity or flexibility of funding.

During the global pandemic, our local community can focus on its long-term economic development. The global economy is forever changed in unforeseen ways due to COVID-19. Our community’s economic development depends upon businesses’ successful transition to the post-COVID economy. We are fortunate that the Ashland economy was in an upward trend before the pandemic. To enable future growth, the community must act to stabilize local businesses.

Downtown Ashland Association supports the Town of Ashland dedicating federal recovery funding to provide small business grants up to $10,000 for purposes of both recovery and innovation, including protective equipment, safety enhancement, technology, e-commerce, supplies, and other expenses. We stand ready to help Ashland businesses undertake the challenge by providing business training and technical assistance, utilizing a Community Development Block Grant. We appreciate the Town of Ashland’s attention to these issues, and look forward to enhancing our partnership as we continue to work together through this extraordinary time for the benefit of Ashland businesses, residents, and visitors.

Sincerely,

Maggie Beal Longest
Executive Director, Downtown Ashland Association

Update: Ashland 2021

We're Open for Business! But please use the back entrance for businesses on N. Railroad Avenue--including Ashland Family Dentistry, The Henry Clay Inn, Homemades by Suzanne, and Center of the Yarniverse. See our handy parking map below.

Traffic is currently blocked on N. Railroad to make way for Amtrak’s construction of new platforms at Ashland Train Station. When finished, the project will include fully accessible train platforms for passengers of all abilities, lighted signage for info on the next train, and covered seating on both sides of the tracks for those waiting on a train.

Learn more about this project and all the changes coming to Downtown Ashland at ashlandvirginia.com/2021.