Samdahl Receives Founders Award
Community members gathered on Sunday, Sept. 27, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Historic Lexington Foundation, honoring the achievements and contributors of the organization over the last six decades.
Over 70 people attended the event at New Field Farm in the Timber Ridge area on the sunny day overlooking a view of the mountains. After enjoying light bites and mingling with one another, guests sat down to hear remarks from the foundation’s leaders about the successes of HLF.
HLF President Susan Minor opened the event, welcoming the group. She began by recognizing Margaret Samdahl, who retired as the executive director of HLF in July after three years in that role. In lieu of a retirement party, she was presented with a painting made by member Bruce Macdonald.
Macdonald spoke about the complexity and detail of the painting before it was revealed to Samdahl. The scene depicted the arrival of an 1870s era steam locomotive at the Lexington train station, which Samdahl had requested. Office space in the train station, which was relocated from its original site in 2004 to make way for Wilson Hall, has served as the headquarters for HLF since August 2024. The building is owned by Omicron Delta Kappa and is the organization’s national headquarters.
“It was a challenge but it was great fun, and I can’t imagine doing such a painting for anybody I love more than you,” Macdonald told Samdahl.
Samdahl expressed her gratitude for the painting and her time with HLF.
“I love it,” Samdahl said. “Thank you HLF for doing this for me. I so appreciate it and can’t wait to get it home.” Seconds after returning to her seat, Samdahl was called back up to accept the 2026 Founders Award, an annual award that honors individuals and institutions in the community for their significant preservation efforts.
Minor said this year’s award “is given in recognition of steadfast and exceptional service to Historic Lexington Foundation and for tireless dedication, having a profound impact during a tenure defined by a passion for protecting Rockbridge County’s architectural heritage.”
Past HLF President Larry Wiese introduced Samdahl’s successor as executive director, Stephanie Hardy.
“We were very, very blessed and we’re very, very grateful to have found Stephanie Hardy to step in and serve as our executive director,” Wiese said. “We look forward to working with her and look forward to all of the great things that we are going to continue to accomplish and build upon.”
Wiese also t hanked t he e fforts of every person in the room and reminded guests that it is up to them to preserve the Lexington they all know and love.
“Lexington is a very special place, and places like Lexington don’t stay special unless we stay engaged and keep them that way,” Wiese said. “The people in this room are contributing to that mission every day.”
The anniversary celebration also featured a silent auction that offered one-of-a-kind experiences tied to Lexington’s history, including an “evening gathering and tour of Historic Fancy Hill,” a “progressive wine and cheese party at three historic Lexington homes,” and a “Mulberry Hill bourbon experience,” among many others.
To close, HLF Vice President Tom Camden gave a quick overview of HLF’s history. He spoke about how the organization, and it had changed, but still stayed true to its founding principles. He also praised the foresight and commitment of the early founders of HLF as well as those in the present keeping the mission alive.
“In the grand scheme of things, 60 years is not a really long time,” Camden said. “But the list of accomplishments and the roster of influential citizens involved in the work of HLF is way too extensive to enumerate in this brief five minutes.”
Camden spoke about the preservationists who have been instrumental in supporting the work of HLF for the past 60 years.
Col. Donald B. Clayton Jr., B. McCluer Gilliam, Donald J. Hasfurther, Royster Lyle Jr., Louise Pendleton Moore, Matthew Paxton Sr., Matthew Paxton Jr., Pamela Simpson, Mary Monroe Penick, and Beverly Tucker were among the people he recognized for their contributions.
“We have mighty big shoes to fill going forward,” Camden s aid. “ The s tandard h as been set and the bar is very high and that’s a challenge this current board has accepted.”
Camden left the audience with a parting quote from Beverly Tucker: “HLF considers its major mission to be stewards of Rockbridge County’s historical treasures. We invite all to join us in this celebration of our continuing efforts. Ours is a rich heritage which deserves the best safeguarding we can possibly provide. We salute our preservationists, past and present. Our reflection becomes our resolve.”
MARGARET SAMDAHL, who retired as the executive director of HLF in July, received a painting of the Lexington train station by Bruce Macdonald during the anniversary celebration. (Shay Bowman photo)
