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By Lorie Foley
 Ashland’s “Sesquicentennial” marks the date in 1858 that the Virginia General Assembly adopted legislation that incorporated the Town of Ashland in central Hanover County. The official date of the incorporation was February 19, 2008. However, in true Ashland fashion, there are events and activities planned throughout the year to celebrate this occasion in grand style!
To many, this special anniversary means more than just eating cake. It provides an opportunity to celebrate Ashland’s history and heritage and to foster a sense of pride in our community. Rob Stiles is the President of TEAM 150, the group that is spearheading the events and activities in 2008. “2008 is our year to promote and celebrate inclusiveness, community leadership and positive contributions to the Town and its quality of life,” says Stiles.
Robert Lindgren, President of Randolph-Macon College, and Faye Prichard, Ashland’s Mayor, are the Honorary Chairs of Ashland’s Sesquicentennial. This duo symbolizes the ongoing cooperative effort between the Town and the College to celebrate Ashland’s birthday. President Lindgren has been the driving force behind Randolph-Macon’s contributions to the celebration. In fact, the Grand Birthday Celebration in October will be held on the grounds of Randolph-Macon College.
The Grand Birthday Celebration
The Grand Birthday Celebration is planned for Saturday, October 18, 2008. Plan to bring the entire family for an old-fashioned party complete with an official ceremony, marching bands, children’s choruses, time capsules, 150 birthday cakes, a music stage, children’s activities, an exhibition tent and more! Key folks from the Town, Randolph-Macon, the Ashland Police Department, Hanover Parks & Rec, and a huge committee of citizens are working together to make this a memorable – and FREE – event for everyone
Events, Train Clock, History and more
There are so many events and activities planned this year, even the organizers occasionally get confused. For simplicity’s sake, there are basically three components: 1-Events, 2-Train Clock and 3-History.
Numerous committees fall under the umbrella of Events including the Grand Birthday Celebration, Special Speakers, Exhibits, and Church Choir Festival. There is even a committee which coordinates and ties the 150th birthday theme into existing events such as the Strawberry Faire, Ashland Street Parties, the 4th of July Parade, etc. Past events included the Black History in Story & Song, the 2008 Hanover Idols Competition, the Ashland Railroad Run and more.
The Train Committee has picked out a beautifully crafted train clock for the Train Station. This clock will be considered the “birthday present” to the town. Contributions to the clock are currently being accepted (checks payable to “Ashland Foundation,” a 501c3 organization).
The History Group is providing leadership for several large committees, including the Ashland Yearbook, the Oral History project and the Hall of Fame
The Ashland Yearbook is an exciting project in the hands of lots of volunteers. These volunteers know that they are helping to create a lasting legacy for future generations. The Yearbook will include stories and pictures from families, schools, churches, cemeteries, businesses, military and social, civic and fraternal organizations.
The Oral History Project is a cooperative effort between volunteer citizens and Randolph-Macon College. The volunteer group, lead by Dale Talley, will audio tape interviews of citizens telling their Ashland story. The college will properly house and organize the interviews, and provide students to help with the project. The group also hopes to put the interviews on a webpage. If you have a suggestion for a person to be interviewed, please contact Dale Talley at 550-1777 or dptalley@comcast.net.
The Ashland 150 Website
Everything you need to know about Ashland’s Sesquicentennial is on the Town’s Birthday website: www.Ashland150.com. Correspondence and checks for the Town Clock and the Ashland Yearbook may be sent to The Town of Ashland, PO Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005.
If you would like to participate in a large or small way, please let TEAM 150 know! If you would like to volunteer to be on a committee, please contact Charles Hartgrove, Town Manager at 798-9219, or Rob Stiles, TEAM 150 President, at 798-6611. Committees are open to everyone.
The Ashland 150 Website
Everything you need to know about Ashland’s Sesquicentennial is on the Town’s Birthday website: www.Ashland150.com . Correspondence and checks for the Town Clock and the Ashland Yearbook may be sent to The Town of Ashland, PO Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005.
If you would like to participate in a large or small way, please let TEAM 150 know! If you would like to volunteer to be on a committee, please contact Charles Hartgrove, Town Manager at 798-9219, or Rob Stiles, TEAM 150 President, at 798-6611. Committees are open to everyone.
Calendar of Events
Here is a sampling of some of the events that are planned for the rest of the year:
May 10–The Ashland Clunker Cruise
May 17-Spring into Summer Plaza Street Party
May 31–Randolph-Macon Graduation
June 7–26th Annual Strawberry Fair and Church Choir Festival
July 4–Ashland’s 4th of July Parade
July 19-Midsummer’s Night Plaza Street Party
July 27-Bluemont Concert Series
August-Bluemont Concert Series (Sundays)
August 23–Patrick Henry Half Marathon
September 13, 14-Heart of Virginia Bike Festival
September 20-Summer’s End Plaza Street Party
September 20-2nd Annual Tiger Trot 5K
September 27-Slay the Dragon 5K
October 18 -Ashland’s 150th Grand Birthday Celebration
October 23-Capitol Steps at Randolph-Macon
October 25-5th Annual Harvest Run
November 8–6th Annual Train Day Celebration
November 23-Ashland’s Olde Time Holiday Parade
December 13-The Santa Train |
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