Discover Amelia 2009

2009 County Guide BookPublished by Richmond Suburban Newspapers

AMELIA

Page 2 Discover Amelia County August 2009

A Standout EducationInnovative programs. Education that is affordable andgoes beyond the basics. People who are smart, driven andnot afraid to have fun.

This is John Tyler Community College. This is where you belong.

Visit one of our campuses in Chester or Midlothian.Go to www.jtcc.edu. Call 804-796-4000.

August 2009 Discover Amelia County Page 3

Table of contents

The Discover Amelia 2009 County Guide Book is published by Richmond Suburban Newspapers.

6400 Mechanicsville Turnpike Mechanicsville, VA 23111(804) 746-1235 Fax (804) 730-0476

© 2009 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher.

Content provided by Jim Ridolphi.

Helpful Phone Numbers

Winterham Plantation, circa 1848, is a popular bed and break-fast located in Amelia County.

Photo by Jim Ridolphi.

Page . . . . Advertiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Business

2 . . . . . . . John Tyler Community College. . . . . . . . . . . . Education

3 . . . . . . . Powhatan Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . Business Support

4 . . . . . . . Janet Pembelton/Virginia Premier . . . . . . . . . Realty & Auction

9 . . . . . . . Radioshack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Electronics

10. . . . . . . Blackwell Home Inspections, LLC. . . . . . . . . . Home Inspections

10. . . . . . . Jerry’s Now & Then . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gifts, Antiques, Framing

12 . . . . . . Royall Pump & Well Company . . . . . . . . . . . . Pump & Wells

13 . . . . . . Amelia Pharmacy & Home Healthcare . . . . . Pharmacy

15 . . . . . . Amelia Antique Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antiques

17. . . . . . . Sandra’s Hair Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hair Salon

17. . . . . . . Village Home Accents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Home Decor

19 . . . . . . Virginia State Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recreation

20 . . . . . . Joy’s School of Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dance

Advertising Businesses

On the cover:

About the guide:

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Richmond Suburban NewspapersP.O. Box 1118Mechanicsville, Va. 23111

Business Name: ________________________________________

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Did you miss out on advertising in this year’s guide?Send in this form to be contacted about advertising in next year’s Discover County Guides.

Or Contact:

Gloria Kirkland - Sales [email protected](804) 598-4305 or (804) 836-2273Fax (804) 598-7757

4 . . . .Welcome message

6 . . . .County Departments

7 . . . .County Agencies

9 . . . .Free Clinic

10. . . .Constitutional Offi cers

11 . . . .County School System

12 . . .Things to do

18. . . .Restaurant Guide

All area codes 804

Emergency (fire, police, ambulance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911

Amelia County Elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-2433

Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-4559

Amelia County High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-2101

Magistrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-5728

Amelia County Middle School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-4422

Mannboro Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-2231

Amelia Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-6092

Maplewood Landfill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-5787

Animal Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-3878

Natural Resources Conservation Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-2947

Building Inspector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-3039

Piedmont Soil & Water Conservation District . . . . . . . . . 434-392-4127

Clerk of the Circuit Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561-2128

National Poison Control Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-222-1222


Experience the Wines of Virginia at Powhatan’s Historic Courthouse Square

No pets (assistance animals allowed), open bottles, weapons, coolers, picnic baskets, or backpacks. No tents. Legal identification required for admittance.

Tickets available through the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce

Phone: (804) 598-2636 • www.PowhatanWineFestival.com

Master of Ceremonies

Lite 98 Morning Show Host

Bill Bevins

Arts • CraftsGourmet Foods

Steve Bassett & Ammon Tharp“The Mystic Soul Bubbas”, Janet Martin,

Michelle Nixon and Drive

Enjoy Live Music & Entertainment from:

Tastings from

23 Virginia

Wineries

Saturday October 24, 2009 • 11 am until 6 pm (Rain or Shine)

2009 Participating Wineries2009 Participating WineriesAmRhein Wine CellarsBarboursville VineyardsBurnley Vineyards, Inc.Chateau Morrisette WineryCooper VineyardsDavis Valley Winery and

VineyardDelfosse Vineyards & WineryFirst Colony Winery

Gray Ghost VineyardsGrayhaven WineryHorton Cellars WineryIngleside VineyardsJames River CellarsLake Anna Winery &

Oak Hill VineyardsMattaponi WineryPeaks of Otter Winery

Rebec Vineyards

Rockbridge Vineyard

Tomahawk Mill Winery

Veritas Winery

Villa Appalaccia Winery

Wintergreen Vineyard &Winery

Woodland Vineyard FarmWinery, LLC

2008 marked my first opportunity to welcome you to Amelia County … and this year is no different. Inspite of the incredibly difficult financial times this Nation and our Commonwealth are now facing the beauty and serenity of Amelia County a constant that still remains! And I am once again honored to welcome you to beautiful Amelia County, Virginia, one of the last great undiscovered treasures of the Commonwealth. Situated a mere thirty-five miles from the historic state capital of Richmond, Amelia continues to be a rural haven within a quickly developing metropolitan area, and a community where agriculture remains an essential and integral part of our economy. Breathtaking sunsets, rolling hills, awe-inspiring forests, rural farm-lands, friendly and welcoming citizens, the charming village of Amelia Court House and the stately Appomattox River all can be found here.

You can also find a rich and storied history in Amelia. Formed in 1734 from Prince George and Brunswick Counties, we are named for Princess Amelia Sophia Eleanor, the second daughter of King George II of England. During the Revolutionary War (1781), British General Banastore “Bloody Ban” Tarleton

raided Amelia to interrupt desperately needed supply lines going to General George Washington’s Continental Army.

On April 6, 1865 Amelia County witnessed the largest unstipulated sur-render of the Civil War, as General Robert E. Lee’s valiant retreat from Petersburg was dealt a final death blow at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, the last major battle of the war to be fought in Virginia, where over seventy-seven hundred confederate troops and eight Generals surrendered uncondition-ally. Today Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, a major focal point of Virginia’s Lee’s Retreat Tour, remains one of the most visited sites in the region. Also in April 1865, accord-ing to legend, Amelia County records were saved when General George Armstrong Custer, of Little Big Horn fame, placed a guard at the Amelia County Clerk’s Office with orders to preserve all records.

Virginia’s 24th Governor, William Branch Giles (1827-1830) whose lovely home The Wigwam,

Welcome to Beautiful Amelia County!

see Welcome> page 17

Franklin Harris


15961 Goodes Bridge Rd., Amelia, VA 23002P: 804-561-0269 • M: 804-240-0460

F: [email protected]

Serving Amelia &Surrounding Counties!We practice real estate, but specialize

in personal relationships!

Janet G. PembeltonJanet G. PembeltonJanet G. PembeltonVIRGINIA PREMIER REALTY & AUCTIONVIRGINIA PREMIER REALTY & AUCTION


Board of SupervisorsAmelia County is comprised of five

election districts, each represented by a citizen on the Board of Supervisors. Members of the governing body are elected to four-year staggered terms and are responsible for rezoning requests, land use issues and county ordinances and policies.

The Board also sets the annual bud-get and appoints citizens to various boards, commissions and committees.

Mission StatementTo provide open responsive leader-

ship for the County of Amelia and improve the quality of life for all the citizens.

The current Amelia County Board includes:

• Franklin D. Harris (Chairman) • - District 5.

• Ellsworth J. “Jim” Bennett (Vice-chairman) - District 1.

• Weldon “Skip” Hall - District 2.• Ralph A. Whitaker, Jr. - District 3.• V. Kay Fletcher - District 4.

COUNTY DEPARTMENTS

County AdministratorThe county administrator is the

chief administrative officer of the county government, is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and serves at the pleasure of the Board.

The county administrator directs and supervises the day to day opera-tions of all county departments and agencies under the direct control of the Board of Supervisors and fur-ther provides administrative support to the governing body, serves as the Supervisors’ liaison with the constitu-tional officers, the judiciary, regional, state and local agencies, authorities and community associations, and coordi-nates and implements the Board’s pol-icy directives as they pertain to Board agendas, meetings, resolutions, legisla-tive policies and constituent services.

Thomas E. Harris currently serves as Amelia county administrator and the assistant county administrator is Norma Duty.

The County Administrator’s Office is located at 16360 Dunn Street, Amelia Court House, 23002. Mr. Harris can be reached at 561-3039 or [email protected]

Animal ControlThe Amelia County Animal

Shelter is located at the Joe H. Paulette Memorial Park (16565 Five Forks Road) in Amelia.

With a staff of two full-time and one part-time employee, the Animal Control Department utilizes a vast array of volunteers and volunteer groups to make the Amelia County Animal Shelter among the most efficient public shelters in the commonwealth at hav-ing animals adopted. Amelia’s Animal Control Officer Donna Boutwell and Deputy Animal Control Officer Randy Leonard, along with Cindy Case, ken-

nel assistant. Shelter hours are Monday through Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon with the shelter closed on Fridays.

You can reach the shelter at [email protected]. or by tele-phone at 561-3878.

Building DepartmentHarold W. Rumfelt, C.B.O. serves

as the Amelia County building offi-cial and along with Assistant Building Official Richard Jones is responsible for enforcing state and local building codes on construction projects within

Amelia County Government Guide

see Government> page 7


the County. Housed in the County Administration Building, you can con-tact the Building Department at 561-3039. Building permit forms may be obtained by visiting the County’s website at www.ameliacova.us

Department of Emergency Manage-ment

Emergency Management coordi-nates efforts to ensure that the County is able to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of natural or man-caused disaster. Amelia County uses an all-hazards approach to emer-gency preparedness, which means that planning efforts consider all types of man-caused disasters that could occur in the county or region.

The Department of Emergency Management encompasses the entire county and the director works in col-laboration with other community groups and/or agencies, including The Amelia County Fire Department, The Amelia County Sheriffs Department, The Amelia Emergency Squad, the Red Cross and all Regional and State Emergency Services providers.

The Department was created in July of 2008 and Brian “Kent” Emerson was hired in February 2009 as Amelia County’s first director of emergency management.

Emerson can be reached by phone at 804-677-7481 or be email [email protected].

Environmental ResourcesRay York (environmental resource

manager) and Patty Averett (litter con-trol and recycling coordinator) are responsible for inspections and code compliance at the Maplewood Landfill (waste management) and all County Green box sites as well as for managing Amelia’s extensive recycling program. Additionally, York and Averett con-duct educational programs, manage the county’s litter control grant, inves-tigate litter complaints and conduct county wide cleanups, including the annual “Amelia County Extreme Clean Makeover.”

The Environmental Resource Office is located at 20221 Maplewood Road, Jetersville and Mr. York and/or Ms. Averett can be reached at 561-3004.

Parks and RecreationGlenn Wilkerson serves as the

Amelia County director of parks and recreation.

Along with Carolyn Jackson (assis-tant) and a staff of six part-time employ-ees and more than 50 volunteers, the Recreation Department provides a wide range of activities that include, Youth Football, Soccer, Basketball and Softball as well as Youth Dances; Skating; Tae-bo; Karate; Gymnastics; Adult Aerobics; an open weight room and a Summer Playground Program.

Additionally the Recreation Department works closely with both the Amelia County Library and Extension Offices. The Amelia County Parks and Recreation Office is located at 16330 Dunn Street. Mr. Wilkerson can be reached at 561-4100. Program and activity registration forms may be obtained from the County’s website at www.ameliacova.us

Planning DepartmentDavid Whitaker heads Amelia’s

Planning Department and along with the Planning Commission, coun-ty administrator and the Board of Supervisors is responsible for prepar-ing the county for present and future growth. Whitaker can be reached at 561-3039.

Additionally, many of the forms and services currently provided by the Amelia County Planning Department are available online at the County’s website, www.ameliacova.us

Public WorksDaryl Gough, maintenance super-

visor, manages a staff of seven dedi-cated county employees and works closely with VDOT and our County Engineers (B&B) to address County needs. Additionally Gough and his staff are responsible for all County Buildings and Grounds and help main-tain Amelia’s public utilities.

Located at 9030 North Five Forks Road in Amelia Court House, Mr. Gough can be reached at [email protected] or 561-4565.

COUNTY AGENCIES

Amelia Cooperative ExtensionBuilding on the strength of our

agriculture, natural resource, family and community heritage, we enable people to shape their futures through research-based educational programs. Recognizing that knowledge is power, we serve people where they live and work.

Audiences are involved in designing, implementing and evaluating needs-driven programs. We are a dynamic organization which stimulates positive personal and societal change leading to more productive lives, families, farms, and forests, as well as a better environ-ment in urban and rural communi-ties.

Funded in part by Amelia County and located at the County Administrative Building 16360 Dunn Street, the Amelia Cooperative


Governmentcontinued from > page 6


Extension Office offers a wide variety of activities, ranging from educational to recreational events.

With a staff that includes Jane Henderson, (Family & Consumer Sciences), Kevin Camm, (4-H & Youth Development), and Janet Crews, (unit administrative assistant), the Amelia County Extension Office excels in meeting the program and service needs of Amelia County and our region.

An annual Farm Day delights the youth of Amelia and Summer Camp at Holiday Lake is always a crowd pleas-er; but perhaps the Amelia Extension Offices most unique program is the Amelia “Fencing Team.” For further information you may reach Jane, Kevin or Janet at Amelia Cooperative Extension by phone: 561.2481 or by Fax at 561.3224, or visit the web site at www.ext.vt.edu.

Amelia County Industrial Develop-ment Authority (IDA)

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors and staffed by the County Administrator, the Amelia County IDA is Amelia’s lead agent for economic development. It manages, through the county administrator, the Amelia Industrial Park, conveniently located on US Route 360 and has been instru-mental in bringing financial assistance from the Tobacco Commission, VDOT and the commonwealth of Virginia to help secure Superior Walls of Virginia and Old River Cabinets as the first ten-ants of the Park.

Currently the Industrial Park is seeing the completion of a second entrance, the addition of fiber optics and the development of a master plan, business incentives and a formal mar-keting plan. For further information on the Amelia County Industrial Park and what we can do to help your busi-ness grow contact Thomas E. Harris, county administrator at [email protected] or 561-3039 (office) or 317-4608 (cell).

Amelia Court House Sanitary District

The Sanitary District serves approx-imately 437 residences and business-es with water and/or sewer services in and around Amelia Court House. The “District” has one 500,000 gallon elevated storage tank for water and a

300,000 gallon per day oxidation ditch system wastewater treatment plant.

The county is very fortunate to have the services of three certified and experienced professionals that include Ronnie Tatum (chief wastewater oper-ator); Eugene Poe (plant operator) and Buddy Webster (chief water operator) who work closely with Daryl Gough (maintenance supervisor) and his staff to provide water and sewer services to Court House residents.

Mr. Tatum can be reached at 561-6303 and Mr. Webster can be reached at 561-3039 or [email protected]

Amelia County Fire Departments

Located 35 miles west of the city of Richmond, Virginia, the Amelia County Fire Department is a 100 per-cent volunteer department with 125 dedicated members, manning five sta-tions throughout Amelia County. The Amelia Fire Department volunteers selflessly respond to Fire & EMS emer-gencies and also proudly assist neigh-boring counties with mutual aid when called upon or needed.

In order to reach the Fire Department, because the individual stations are not manned at all hours, please call (804) 561-1369 or see our web site at www.Ameliavfd.com for non -emergency needs and dial 911 (Amelia County Dispatch) for any emergency.

Company 1 – AmeliaB. Kent Emerson, Chief8950 Otterburn Road

Amelia, VA 23002804-561-3332

Company 2 – MannboroSteve Binford, Chief8641 Namozine RoadAmelia, VA 23002804-561-3932

Company 3 – JetersvilleJerry L. Hensley, Chief21575 Jetersville RoadJetersville, VA 23083804-561-393

Company 4 – MattoaxDonald J. Shreffler, Chief11201 Genito RoadAmelia, VA 23002804-561-3335

Company 5 – PainevilleKenneth Llewellyn, Sr., Chief12151 Fowlkes Bridge RoadAmelia, VA 23083804-561-3694

Fire ServicesPresidentJames Mike Talley17140 Appaloosa CourtAmelia, VA 23002804-561-1369 (voicemail box)Vice PresidentBruce McFadden10201 Jennings LaneAmelia, VA 23002

Amelia Emergency Squad, Inc.The Amelia Emergency Squad has

provided emergency medical care and ambulance transportation to the resi-dents of Amelia County, as well as to




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surrounding counties when requested, for more than 50 years. The Amelia Emergency Squad can be accessed by Amelia County residents by dialing 911 (Amelia County Sheriff ’s Office Communications). Once the Sheriff ’s Office Communications Officer determines that a medical emer-gency exists, the Amelia Emergency Squad is dispatched. The Amelia Emergency Squad is staffed by volunteer emergency medical professionals. These volunteers are augmented by paid staff who are contracted through a staffing firm.

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with the Amelia Emergency Squad, please call 804-561-3336 and leave a message.

Amelia Emergency Squad, Inc.8930 Otterburn RoadAmelia, VA 23002804-561-3336 (non-emergency)911 – Emergency

James Hamner Public LibraryWhile part of Amelia County, the Amelia Library offi-

cially known as the James Hamner Library is managed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Board of Supervisors and is located at 16351 Dunn St. in the Courthouse area. The hours of operation are Monday and Friday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday-10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dora Rowe, Library Director heads a staff of three full-time and three part-time employ-

ees. Current programs include Story Time and Teen Gaming Day, with the Chess Club meeting on the first Wednesday of the month and Pajama Story on the second Wednesday (6 p.m.) of the month. Other activities include Children’s Gaming Day, Children’s Craft Day; Teen Movies; J-Pop Crafts, Pokemon League; Teen Book Club; College Survival Classes; Adult Crafts as well as a Scrapbooking Club. Please call 561-4559 for further information or go on line at www.HamnerLibrary.org.




Gifts + Antiques + Custom Framing16430 Court Street • Amelia, Virginia 23002

(804) 561-5075

Serving South Central Virginia for 15 years!

• Guaranteed best pricing on custom framing in South Central Virginia

• Wide selection of molding stock

Hours: Tues. - Sat. 9:30 - 5:30Sun. - Mon. – By chance or appointment

CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS

Constitutional Offices are elected positions that date back to the earliest days of our Country and are so named because they are specifically established by the Constitution of Virginia. Amelia’s Constitutional Officers include:

Clerk of the Circuit CourtMarilyn L. Wilson serves as Amelia County’s clerk of

the Circuit Court. The Court is a court of record, and the clerk serves as recorder of deeds and probate judge, issues marriage licenses and is the administrator for all civil and criminal court cases. In this capacity the clerk of the Court compiles and maintains all court files and records, prepares court orders and jury lists, issues summons and court pro-cesses and contacts jurors. Wilson’s Office is located at 15441 Court Street in Amelia Courthouse, 23002 and her phone number is 804-561-2128.

Commissioner of the RevenueJoyce P. Morris serves as the Amelia County commis-

sioner of the revenue, and is responsible for assessing county real estate and personal property taxes, collecting business license fees and assisting citizens in preparation of state income tax returns.

Morris also administers the state’s Personal Property Relief (Car Tax Relief) and Relief for the Elderly. The Commissioner’s Office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Morris can be reached at 561-2158.

Commonwealth’s AttorneyLee R. Harrison serves as the Amelia County common-

wealth’s attorney. Harrison is responsible for representing the citizens of Virginia in prosecuting criminal cases and works closely with the county administrator in addressing local concerns. The commonwealth attorney is elected to a four-year term, and his office is located at 9111 Washington Street in Amelia. Harrison can be reached at 561-3302.

County TreasurerPam Conyers is Amelia County treasurer and like every

other treasurer in Virginia since 1870 is responsible for the collection of real estate, personal property and license taxes, disburses county payments and manages the investment of

local funds. The treasurer also collects permit fees, Court, sheriff and clerk fees and assists with State income taxes. Conyer’s is a certified Master Governmental Treasurer while Wanda Fleming (deputy treasurer) has obtained Master Governmental Deputy Treasurer certification, both through the Weldon Cooper Institute of the University of Virginia.

For the convenience of our citizens, Amelia County tax and sewer bills can be paid on line at www.officialpayments.com. The Treasurer’s Office is located at 16360 Dunn Street, Suite 103 and Ms. Conroy can be reached at 561-2145.

SheriffRick Walker was elected Amelia County sheriff in 2008.

The sheriff as one of Amelia’s constitutional officers and is elected to serve as the County’s chief law enforcement




officer. The sheriff is empowered by the Code of Virginia to appoint deputies and civilian staff to affect his charges.

Law enforcement covers a broad spectrum of duties ranging from traffic management and safety to criminal investigations and the delivery of all warrants, subpoenas, summons, bill of complaints and levies. Sheriff Walker also manages the County’s Dispatch Office for all fire, rescue and police dispatches. Sheriff Walker’s office is located at 16441 Court Street, Amelia Court House, 23002 and the Sheriff ’s Office phone number is 561-2118.

AMELIA COUNTY SCHOOL DIVISION

Vision StatementThe Amelia County Public Schools resolve to become

the schools of choice for the community of Amelia where all students achieve at exemplary levels and emerge prepared for the future.

Mission StatementWith high expectations and equitable professional ser-

vices, the Amelia County Public Schools will build positive relationships with students and community and assure attainment of high academic achievement, which exceeds all state and federal standards and provides all students with a foundation for the future.

Superintendent of Schools David M. Gangel, Ed.D., has served the Amelia County School Division for the past six years and oversees three major facilities, a staff of highly trained professionals and a growing School Division while Patricia Humphrey serves as assistant superintendent. The School Board Office is located at 8701 Otterburn Road. Dr. Gangel can be reached at 561-2621 or at www.Amelia.k12.va.us

The Amelia County High School currently educates 556 students. Principal Melvin Rose and a staff that includes Kelly Gardner, activities director, are providing an excep-tional education for students from the 9th through 12th grades. The contact number for the High School is 561-2101.

Amelia County Middle School welcomes students from the fifth through 8th Grades and currently has an enroll-ment of 565. Kathleen Farmer is the Middle School Principal

while Mr. Jeff Borman serves as assistant principal. Farmer and her staff can be reached by phone at 804-561-4422.

Amelia County Elementary School enrolls grades K through fourth, and for the 2009 school year serves 705 students. Kathy Stuart is Principal while Elvira Ford is dean of students. You may contact the Amelia County Elementary School at 804-561-2433

REGIONAL AGENCIES

Commonwealth Regional Council (CRC)The Commonwealth Regional Council is one of 21

regional Planning District Commissions serving the Commonwealth of Virginia. The purpose of Planning District Commissions, as set out in the Code of Virginia, Section 15.2-4207, is to encourage and facilitate local govern-ment cooperation and state-local cooperation in addressing, on a regional basis, problems and opportunities of greater than local significance.

In addition to planning, the Council markets the Heartland Region for economic development, assists com-panies looking to locate or expand their businesses in the region, and promotes recreational, cultural, and historical tourism in our member jurisdictions.

The Commonwealth Regional Council serves the Counties of Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg and Prince Edward. Additionally, Longwood University is a charter member and each is represented on the Board of the Commonwealth Regional Council. The Council Board meets the first Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m., at the Commonwealth Regional Council office located at One Mill Street, Suite 101, Farmville, Va. You may contact staff at (434) 392-6104 or at www.virginiasheartland.org

Crossroads Community Services BoardCrossroads Community Services Board strives to treat

and promote the recovery of mental illness, intellectual dis-abilities and substance abuse disorders. Crossroads works to enhance the lives of individuals and their families within the community. Services are offered primarily to individuals residing in Amelia, Buckingham, Cumberland, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward Counties.

Crossroads’ Amelia Clinic, located at 9101 Washington Street, provides mental health and substance abuse evalu-ations, medication management, individual and group therapy, crisis services and case management.

Services are available for adults and children/adolescents. The clinic is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be reached at (804) 561-5057.

After hours and weekend crisis services are accessible 24/7 by calling 1-800-548-1688. Individuals requesting services or inquiring about services should call referral and intake staff at 1-866-307-0370 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or at www.crossroadscsb.org.

STEPS, (Southside Training, Employment and Place-ment Services) Inc.

STEPS serves citizens with disabilities and other barriers




Geothermal Drilling

to employment from the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward. STEPS offers a variety of employment opportunities. Employment specialists collaborate with consumers who want to work in the community to identify and provide on-site job training. STEPS operates two manufacturing facili-ties: Farmville and Victoria. Employment in these locations involves primarily apparel manufacturing.

STEPS has designed and provides a number of garments to the Department of Defense - Army and Special Operation Forces. In the Farmville location, STEPS operates a regional recycling center, processing corrugated board, office paper, newspaper, plastic jugs and aluminum cans. Steel and bi-metal cans will soon be added to the products accepted.

In the very near future, STEPS will open a commercial shredding operation. This new line of business will offer citizens and businesses a local option for secure document destruction. STEPS is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organiza-tion and receives no direct operational funding from either the State or Federal Governments. STEPS earns more than 85 percent of its budget from the production activities described above. STEPS employs more than 250 citizens of which at least 70 percent have a disability. Tax deductible contributions are appreciated.

For more information, please contact the STEPS Corporate Office at 225 Industrial Park Road, Farmville, VA 23901 (434) 315-5909, www.STEPS-inc.org

THINGS TO DO IN AMELIA

Amelia offers a variety of opportunities for those seeking recreation, adventure or just relaxation. Numerous antique shops dot the county, and there’s a treasure around every corner.

For the history lover, Amelia offers an ample amount of historic homes, sites and legends. Lee’s Retreat, a series of stops from Petersburg to Appomattox, traces the last days of the Confederacy and the final drive of the Army of Northern Virginia. The tour features interpretive stops com-plete with markers and radio messages. Seven of the stops are located in Amelia, making the nerve center of the retreat. Amelia Courthouse was one of Lee’s last stops, and some Union generals, including Gen. Phillip Sheridan, thought the war would end in Amelia County. Lee had other plans, and escaped to fight another day, at other locations in the county.

Stops on the Lee’s Retreat Tour include:• Namozine Church, where a rear guard calvary scrim-

mage took place around the church as Lee’s soldiers marched toward Amelia Court House.

• Amelia Court House, where General Lee brought all his troops from Richmond and Petersburg to gather at the small village. Lee hoped to continue into North Carolina and join forces with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.

• Jetersville, where Union forces confronted Lee and cut him off from his original escape route. Lee’s troops were forced to turn toward Farmville.

• Amelia Springs, where Union forces encountered Lee’s rear guard as they night marched to escape Grant’s troops in Jetersville.

• Deatonville, the site of a engagement as Union troops closed in Lee’s retreating army. Union forces continued on to Farmville.

• Holt’s Corner, where Lee’s wagon train went north, and the army proceeded toward Little Sailor’s Creek.

• Hillsman House, where Unions and Confederates fought a battle on the slope of the dwelling with disastrous results for the South. Most of the Confederate troops sur-




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rendered, and the house was used as a hospital.• Marshall’s Crossroads, where Union calvary fought

against Confederate infantry, finally forcing their retreat or capture.

For more information about Virginia’s Civil War Trails, call 1-888-CIVIL WAR, or visit their website at www.civil-wartrails.org

Metro Richmond ZooThe Metro Richmond Zoo is located just over the Amelia

County line off Route 360 in Chesterfield. The zoo offers visitors the opportunity for up close encounter with exotic animals. Regular penguin and giraffe feeding sessions are a big hit with the youngsters.

The zoo also features a thrilling 15-minute sky ride over the park, a real hit with visitors looking for a bird’s eye view of the attractions.

The zoo is also home to the annual Miracle of Christmas pageant, a celebration of the season with live animals and religious reenactors.

For more information on the Richmond Metro Zoo, visit their website at www.metrorichmondzoo.com

Other activitiesFor those in search of buried treasure, you may find it in

Amelia County, long known for its precious gems, minerals and rocks. Morefield Mine on Butler Road offers visitors to dig for numerous varieties of rocks, including the one of the world’s best supplies of Amazonite. The mine opens in the spring for visiting. Please call first. For more information, call the mine at 561-3399,

The Amelia Wildlife Management Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike. Public fishing and boating is available in one of the states largest managed areas.

The Amelia Motor Raceway is located at 17901 W. Pridesville Road, Amelia. In addition to the go-cart racing, the raceway features a brand new Paintball Course. For more information, call (804) 561-1475.

The Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia is located at 10300 Pridesville Road, Virginia. For more information, call (804) 561-1475.



Turning a Farm House into a Museum

After extensive research and consult-ing with experts, the mystery of what the Hillsman farm house resembled in 1865 is close to being solved. Many years ago, park manager Chris Calkins dreamt of bringing life back into the unfurnished home of the Hillmans family. His dream was to restore the Hillsman house, including furnishings, to reflect the 1865 conditions the fam-ily and soldiers experienced when the house served as a Federal army hospi-tal. Now that dream is a reality.

The Hillsman farm house was built circa 1770 on a tract of fourteen hun-dred acres and is a classic example of Colonial Southside Virginia architec-ture. To accurately recreate the physi-cal surroundings numerous primary sources exist to help us understand how the house was furnished follow-ing the battle. These sources include a basic inventory of Hillsman fam-ily furniture that was donated to the park many years ago and the written account by Lieutenant George Peck, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, who was wounded during the battle and was brought to the house to recuperate.

To interpret the interior of the house to the Civil War period paint analyst, Susan Buck Ph.D, was hired to use cross-section microscopy tech-niques to identify the original colors. From her findings, park staff painted the baseboard, stair post and door jams dark gray and the walls with limewash. The main entry hall door was reported to be “grained” probably to resemble

Golden Oak. Graining is a painting technique that was a common prac-tice in the 19th century that imitated expensive woods known as faux finish-es. Decorative painter, John Kraus was hired to recreate the “grained” pattern based on a golden oak door owned by Calkins from a home in nearby Dinwiddie County.

Furnishing the three rooms on the main floor of the house was made possible by a donation of a private collection of antebellum primitive fur-niture. Also included are military gear and medical stretchers with officer’s uniforms and equipment. The mixture of domestic and military items reflects the living conditions during the battle.

When it was time to furnish the entry hall, park staff relied on Lieutenant Peck’s reminiscences to recreate the surgeon’s operating table location. According to Peck “…an hours later it began to rain, so Private Lincoln went to the house to secure, if possible, my removal thither, for every other officer had been quartered there as soon as he was brought in. He returned with a litter on which I was taken to the house. I was then placed on the floor of a room in which there were two beds, each occupied by two severely wounded officers, while in the third corner, on the floor, were at least a half dozen more. The only place found for me was in front on one of these beds; my head close beside the hall door-way, were there stood the operating table, with surgeons working the entire night, my body forming the bound of a passage-way to the kitchen door in the fourth corner, whence people continu-ally passed and repassed. Yet when my wet cloths had been removed…and myself wrapped in a couple of army blankets, I slept quietly, happily, until daylight.” A collection of various surgi-cal instruments are also on display and by-products of human suffering that the house witnessed.

In the entry hall and in the room


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described in Lt. Peck’s memoirs visitors can clearly see spots on the floor that resemble blood splatter. Forensic scientists from the Virginia State Police headquarters in Appomattox County have confirmed these spots are indeed blood. The forensic team tested locations in both rooms and in the basement on the underside of the floor. All tests indicated a positive result.

When visiting the Hillsman Farm House Museum you’ll have the opportunity to see the results of the recent trans-formation from abandoned house to a museum. Park staff or volunteers will greet visitors as they enter the home. According to park manager Chris Calkins it is the first person accounts like Lt. Peck’s that park personnel and vol-unteers will use to not only tell the stories of both armies, but also those of the inhabitants of the Southside in the final days of the Civil War.

The park’s visitor center is in its final stages of construc-tion and is the future home of exhibits depicting the events that transpired after the fall of Petersburg on April 2 – 3, 1865 and that continued through to April 7th with the Battle of Cumberland Church north of Farmville. Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park and the Hillsman house are on the National Register of Historical Places and listed as a National Historic Landmark.

For more information on Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov or call the park office at 434-315-0349.

and Mary Virginia Hawes Terhune, syndicated col-umnist, novelist and celebrated author of biographi-cal sketches, history and travelogues, who wrote under the pseudonym Marion Harland were born in Amelia. Edmund Ruffin, farmer, author and radical Southern activist, who is attributed with firing the “first shot of the Civil War” at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, took his own life at Redmore Plantation on June 18, 1865 shortly after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House.

Recreational opportunities abound in Amelia County, from the hunting and fishing that is so valued in this rural paradise to go cart racing, paintball, a full service Recreation Department and Public Library to the annual Amelia County Fair in September, our beloved Amelia Day in May to our newest event the Amelia Summer Series: Saturdays in the Square, from July through October!

Amelia is also blessed with economic oppor-tunities including low taxes, an Industrial Park on US Route 360, close proximity to the Richmond Metropolitan Area population, has outstanding Schools and still maintains its pastoral charm. And perhaps of greater significance to our current and future residential and business communities alike, Amelia is growing, dedicated to the protection of our natural resources, the preservation of our rich history, a commitment to be an open and inclusive community with a clear focus on a sustainable and prosperous future.

As Chairman of the Board of Supervisors I would once again encourage you to come and share the friendliness of our people and our rural lifestyle, to enjoy the amenities of our county and to take advantage of the abundance of economic opportu-nities in one of Virginia’s last undiscovered treasures. Our County Administrator and staff are here to serve you and we look forward to welcoming and sharing with you what we already know … “Amelia is a beautiful place to be”!

For additional information go to www.amela-cova.us or call (804) 561-3039

Museumcontinued from > page 14

Welcomecontinued from > page 4


Amelia County: An important stop in Virginia history

Amelia County was formed in 1734 by a legislative act that acquired lands from Brunswick and Prince George counties. In 1754, Prince Edward County was apportioned from the vast acreage that formed Amelia, and the county was reduced in size again in 1789 when Nottoway County was formed. The county was named in honor of Princess Amelia, daughter of King George II.

Amelia has a rich and vital history rooted in two major American con-flicts. During the Revolutionary War, British General Banastre Tarleton raid-ed the county and used its resources to support his troops.

Amelia Courthouse played an

instrumental role in the final days of the Civil War during Gen. Robert E. Lee’s retreat. Confederate troops arrived at Amelia April 4 searching for supplies for the tired and hungry soldiers. With Union General U.S. Grant close on his heels, Lee left Amelia and retreated through Deatonville to a small branch known as Sailors Creek.

Two days later, the Confederates fought their last major battle of the Civil War at Sailor’s Creek, followed by a retreat to Appomattox where the war finally ended. County records from the Civil War survived the conflict while many neighboring counties suffered the usual fate of having their docu-ments burned by Union troops. Gen.

George Custer of Little Big Horn fame, is responsible for saving the records, according to local legend, by placing a guard at the courthouse.

Sailor’s Creek is a 220-acre Virginia State Park that features interpretive tours and reenactments. The historic Hillman House is now a museum fea-turing many artifacts from the actual battle.

Southern agronomist and secession-ist Edmund Ruffin lived at Redmore in Amelia County. He is credited with many agricultural advances during the period and is remembered as the “Father of Agriculture.” Following the war, the Virginia native ended his life at his Amelia home.

William Giles is perhaps the most important political figure in Amelia history. His ancestral home at Wigwam stands today as a living tribute to his role in the county’s heritage.

After attending Hampden Sydney, Princeton and William and Mary, Giles practiced law in Petersburg until he was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1790 and served until 1798 when he resigned. He was then elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and returned to Congress in 1801.

The fiery Virginian was known as a heated debater and supporter of fel-low Virginian Thomas Jefferson. He resigned from Congress in 1815 after the political climate shifted and served as Governor of Virginia from 1827 to 1830. Giles was married to the daugh-ter of another famous Amelia resident, John Bannister Tabb.

Tabb was a well-known educator, writer and Catholic priest. A memorial in the county lists him as a Poet, Patriot and Priest.

The current Amelia County court-house was constructed in 1924 replac-ing a structure that was built in 1849. The county seat was previously located in Pridesville, but that courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1766. In 1905, the Amelia Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy erected a monument that stands today hon-oring the Amelia sons who gave their lives for the cause.

On April 6, 1865 Confederate and Union soldiers and a galaxy of generals met at Sailor’s Creek for what would be the last major battle of The Ameri-can Civil War in Virginia, before the surrender of General Robert E. Lee’s Army at Appomattox Court House.

Visit the Hillsman Farm House Museum, where Civil War historians will refl ect on the house’s role as a Federal army hospital during and after the battle.

Sailor’s Creek Battlefi eld Historical State Park and the Hillsman Farm House Museum are on the National Register of Historical Places and listed as a National Historic Landmark.

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