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Henrico is steeped in history and we should be ever mindful of our heritage. Consequently, after my election to the Board of Supervisors, I felt it was important for the County to create a citizen committee to advise the Board on the preservation of historic and cultural resources. In 1990, I made my first appointment to the
County's Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. In 1994, this committee was expanded to include ten members, two from each of
Henrico's five magisterial districts.
Subsequent to this committee's establishment and expansion, I sponsored a program to ensure that sites of historic significance located within the county, such as the Brookland
District's Bethlehem Baptist, Greenwood United Methodist Church and Glen Allen Baptist Churches, are permanently identified with message markers. The program includes sites that are important to Henrico citizens but do not qualify for designation on the state or national government historic registers. As our County continues to grow and develop, these attractive and informative markers help our newer and younger residents learn more about the
County's past.
The Walkerton House
 In July 1995, I was thrilled to join other County officials in announcing that the County of Henrico had acquired the Walkerton House, a national and state historic landmark situated at 2892 Mountain Road in old Glen Allen. One month after this announcement and three weeks after the grand opening celebration for Glen Allen Library, several hundred constituents joined me for the first public tour of this magnificent facility.
Walkerton was built in 1925 and is the only brick tavern still standing in Henrico County. I had the distinct pleasure of working on the County’s acquisition of this historic property from the family of Mr. Douglas Fleet. Maintained by the County’s Division of Recreation and Parks, Walkerton serves as a reminder of the County’s colorful past. Its courtyard adjoins the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen and now serves as the site of wedding receptions, family reunions, birthday parties, and many other special occasions.
Walkerton Tavern and Gardens are open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The facility and grounds may be reserved by County residents and non-residents for private use during the following hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. Walkerton Tavern is closed on Mondays, designated County holidays, and the first week in January for annual cleaning. Please call 261-6898 for more information regarding reservation policies and rates.
Cultural Arts Center
One of my most thrilling experiences on the Board of Supervisors has been my role as catalyst for the new Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Through a public-private partnership, the old Glen Allen School has been transformed into a regional home for the arts serving the needs of performance groups, actors, musicians, dancers, and artists throughout Central
Virginia.
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen will enhance the quality of life in our community while preserving an important part of our local heritage. With the Cultural Arts Foundation already in place and the $8.5 million renovation completed in March of 1999, it is now being said that "something wonderful has happened in Glen Allen." I take tremendous pride in this project and have found the level of support from citizens, artists, and corporate CEOs truly remarkable. By bridging the
County's past and future in such an innovative way, the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen will become the crown jewel of the historic Mountain Road
corridor.
Meadow Farm
 Henrico's Meadow Farm Museum, located off of Mountain Road adjacent to Crump Park. This historic site, was dedicated to Henrico County in
1975. It contains the 19th century home of Dr. John Mosby Sheppard and a working farm. The
County's Division of Recreation and Parks maintains the house and property, which are both open to the public. Civil war reenactments and other events with an historic theme are scheduled at Meadow Farm throughout the year for the enjoyment of residents and visitors to the
County.
Glen Allen
 The Cupola and surrounding columns at the corner of Mountain Road and Old Washington Highway are original architectural elements from the now-demolished Forest Lodge. The late nineteenth century hotel was located on Mountain Road in the center of Glen Allen, just west of the railroad tracks. Captain John Cussons built Forest Lodge as a stop for travelers on the main rail line from New York to Florida. The six-story hotel was situated on 1,000 sprawling acres, had 100 guest rooms and featured a grand ballroom and an auditorium. The structure was demolished in
1992.
 The Courtney Road Service Station and the surrounding acreage passed through many hands before the Barlow family acquired it in 1938. The first records of the
station's operation start in 1940 when it was listed in the Richmond Vicinity Telephone Directory as a Texaco station. Called the Friendly Service Station, the Wiltshire Family operated the business for most of the years the Barlows owned
it.
One local resident remembers his family would stop to fill their Model T Ford on the way to Virginia Randolph School on Mountain Road. The family had a running tab for service, and would pay the bill at the end of each month. Other locals recall walking to the station for ice cream on Saturday nights. The station closed in the 1960s.
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