Fundraising to begin this summer to preserve Greenfield slave cabins
At the most recent meeting of the Board of Supervisors on May, David Marcum who is the chairman of the Greenfield Preservation Advisory Committee. The latest committee formed in the fall of 2018 from another committee to preserve the slave cabins at Greenfield. Marcum announced plans to have a fundraising effort soon to get the program to have an historic site developed that will reflect the Preston family of Greenfield from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the slave cabins and early native American Culture in the area.
Marcum said, “We want you to know we are starting fundraising. We have plans to move forward with the project.” Marcum told The Botetourt Bee he hopes the fundraisers are solidified at the June 18 meeting.
A plan from Hill Studio was presented and accepted by the Board of Supervisors in Oct of 2017 noted Marcum laterin an interview.
Botetourt County has $50,000 of matching funds per year set aside. Botetourt County Historical Society pledged around $20,000 at their annual Founders Day dinner in November.
The cabins were moved in late February 2016. Thus, they have been sitting for over three years where the truck left them. Marcum said, “The floors are in remarkably good shape. The chimney and some exterior of the summer kitchen has deterioration.” The Greenfield Preservation Advisory Committee toured the site before their meeting in May.
Pratt Industries has occupied the original site in a shell building the county and regional economic development built soon after the cabins were moved some 3,000 feet away.
Anita Firebaugh wrote an article for The Botetourt Bee in about the committee and project in November of 2018. Click on this link for more information.
Members of the Greenfield Preservation Advisory Committee are: Lynne Bolton Judy Morris- vice chair Wendy Warren- secretary Roblyn Brand, John Rader, Edward Preston, Curtis Brown, John Bradshaw, Jim Johnston, Eugene Journiette, Danny Kyle, Rupert Cutler, David Marcum- chair. Steve Clinton- Board of Supervisors serves as ex officio.
