Friends’ Letter to Governor Younkin About Oak Hill State Park

Hon. Governor Youngkin:

Friends of Blue Ridge Mountains on behalf of our more than five hundred followers residing in Virginia extends to you our deep gratitude for your statesman-like action when you inserted into the state’s budget the acquisition of the historic Oak Hill estate to be our Commonwealth’s 44th state park.

The unmistakably strong support in the House of Delegates for adopting the proposal to create an Oak Hill State Park makes it clear that Virginia’s citizens have spoken. Their representatives in the House voted on the citizens’ interest in preserving this magnificent historical estate as a state park for the enjoyment of all. We, in the strongest terms possible, commend the bipartisan leadership in the House that led to this vote.”

Creation of an Oak Hill State Park is imperative for several reasons:

* Oak Hill currently is the only plantation home of our Nation’s Founders that remains in private hands.

* Oak Hill, designated a National Historic Landmark 65 years ago, deserves permanent protection today because of its strong historical significance as President James Madison’s home.

* Oak Hill’s present owners must relinquish their stewardship of this magnificent estate and wish to do so on terms favorable for its public acquisition for the enjoyment by all in our Commonwealth.

* Private citizens and local government have done an exemplary job in raising the bulk of the funds, with an associated endowment, to financially transition Oak Hill Plantation to Oak Hill State Park.

* Oak Hill State Park, located centrally in the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, will serve as a focal attraction for encouraging visitor trips to explore Virginia’s historical riches, thereby growing the state’s economy.

* Establishing Oak Hill State Park will further Loudoun County’s general plan to maintain this portion of the County as a self-functioning rural community.

* Establishing Oak Hill State Park will create opportunities for citizens to experience a variety of outstanding recreational activities over its 1240 acres which are readily accessible to several hundred thousand Virginians, as well as encouraging their understanding of our Nation’s and Commonwealth’s rich history.

For these reasons Friends of Blue Ridge Mountains encourages you to take the next step in making Oak Hill State Park a reality.  Your sustained activity to persuade the General Assembly to accept your amendment to its recently adopted state budget is essential.  While we do not fully understand the Senate maneuvering that deleted Oak Hill State Park status from its budget considerations, we strongly believe that the Commonwealth of Virginia must not let this unique opportunity to be lost.

What more of a commemorative gift, next year celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday, can the Commonwealth give to its citizens than establishing this outstanding memorial to our bold beginnings as a nation?

Peter Weeks,

President

Friends of Blue Ridge Mountains

CC:

Winsome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor

Scott Surovell, Virginia State Senator

Ryan McDougle, Virginia State Senator

Don Scott, Virginia State Delegate

Charniele Herring, Virginia State Delegate

Todd Gilbert, Virginia State Delegate