The Friends of the Chessie Trail welcome participants to a fun and educational history walk this Sunday, Aug. 9, at 2 p.m. on the Chessie Trail.
This interpretive stroll will be led by Eric Wilson, executive director of the Rockbridge Historical Society and regional co-chair of Rockbridge250.
The event is free and will begin at the Lexington side of the trail at the parking area, 172 Old Buena Vista Road, at the Pure Oil sign.
The history walk will explore local history, notable figures and the Chessie Trail’s connection to early Rockbridge agriculture, industry, transportation and trade. Among the more colorful anecdotes from the past to be featured will be the story of the coffin that washed up just in time for President Lee’s funeral, following a gully washer of a Valley flood in 1870.
For more information, contact Anne Ritter at gardnerar870@ gmail.com or (540) 570-5151.
In case of pouring rain, the event will be postponed until Sunday, Aug. 16, at 2 p.m. Updates will be posted to friendsofthechessietrail. org and the Friends of the Chessie Trail Facebook and Instagram pages.
The mission of the Friends of the Chessie Trail is to foster strong communication among Chessie Trail stakeholders, to advocate for the community’s vision for the Trail, and to organize citizen support for a wellmaintained and safe trail. To become a member, sign up online at the FOCT website, or print out the membership form and mail it with a check to FOCT, P.O. Box 1261, Lexington, VA 24450. Donations of any amount are always welcome, and will be put to good use, with 100% of funds supporting trail maintenance. To learn more, visit the website at friendsofthechessietrail. org.
