Greenspring	UPDATED: Friday, April 11, 2008
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Uncover Loudoun’s rich history

Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008

By Kelly A. Shue
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Less than a ten-minute drive from Ashby Ponds, the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum provides the perfect escape for anyone wanting to experience Northern Virginia’s rich agricultural heritage. Guests of all ages enjoy the museum’s popular exhibits, special events, historical artifacts, and plentiful volunteer opportunities.

A journey back in time
“The Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is special to me, as it preserves childhood memories,” says volunteer Mary Rudiak. “I am taken back to a time when Loudoun County was lovely rolling hills and farmland. This museum insures the preservation of rural Loudoun County, and I am a proud and integral part of its mission.”

Thanks to specially designed hands-on classes and programs meeting the Standards of Learning for Virginia, the museum is the perfect way to spend a day with the grandchildren. In addition to playing farmer for the day, everyone young at heart will enjoy meeting “Milkie the Cow,” strolling through the Waxpool General Store, and observing a farmhouse dating back to the late 18th century.

Upcoming events
The museum offers several special events throughout the year and has two scheduled for the spring. The spring farm tour, from May 17 to May 18, provides a unique opportunity to discover springtime on the farm. It is sponsored by the Department of Economic Development, and guests enjoy touring local vineyards, orchards, and pick-your-own farms.

On March 19, the popular Bunny Bonanza, cosponsored by the Department of Animal Care and Control, teaches guests about responsible pet ownership while providing children’s activities and refreshments. A variety of farm-themed exhibits ensures that each trip to the museum is different.

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Through this spring, “Genuine Risk, The Lady is a Champ” exhibit provides guests with an inside look at 1980 Kentucky Derby winner Genuine Risk. Raced by local owners, Bert and Diana Firestone, Genuine Risk quickly became America’s sweetheart as only the second filly ever to win the famous race. Young guests will enjoy the opportunity to simulate a ride in the 1980 Kentucky Derby on realistic play horses.

Scholarly retreat
For those interested in learning more about Loudoun County’s rich agricultural past, the museum offers a stunning collection of diverse artifacts, archived materials, and a library rich in oral histories.

Artifacts dating to the 18th century include a large collection of tractors, plows, dairy and hay implements, and general store merchandise.Archive records include the most diverse collections of merchandise invoices of mid-Atlantic distributors in Virginia dating from the 1890s to 1940s. The James Smith Collection includes primary accounts of slavery, agriculture, and the Civil War in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties.

The museum also has a small collection of books on Loudoun history, agriculture, cultural history, and a growing collection of USDA yearbooks dating from 1914. In addition, oral histories obtained from interviews conducted in 2001 and 2002 reveal the reality of life as a Loudoun County farmer.

Volunteer opportunities
The museum welcomes volunteers from the county’s RSVP, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation. The program provides an opportunity for individuals ages 55 and older to utilize their skills and life experience to fulfill the desire to help their community.

Volunteers are needed to serve as program assistants, instructors for Standards-of- Learning-based schools, and Scout programs at the museum’s interactive exhibit hall. Other volunteer opportunities include staffing upcoming events, working in the museum gift shop, greeting and orienting visitors to the museum, and leading group tours. Those with an eye for detail are also needed to assist the museum curator with the cleaning and maintenance of exhibits, exhibit cases, and objects.

Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is located at 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, VA 20165 and is open Tuesday– Saturday from 10 a.m –5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–5 p.m. The museum is closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s day.

Admission is $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2–12, and $5 for adults. Group rates are available upon request.