VA250 committee seeks county support for tourism events, colonial reenactment

Jeff Harrington, speaking for the VA250 committee, asked the Scott County Board of Supervisors to consider funding to help stage a slate of tourism and legacy projects tied to the county’s upcoming 250th‑anniversary activities. "We are here primarily asking for funding," Harrington said, outlining a program of social‑media marketing, printed materials and volunteer‑driven events intended to boost visitation.

Harrington described a two‑day colonial reenactment planned at the Block House at Natural Tunnel State Park in April and said partners include Eastman Credit Union, Delegate Terry Kilgore and local reenactor groups. He told the board the committee had pursued grant matches in prior years and initially discussed a $10,000 matching request that would leverage additional outside dollars; the presentation reiterated the committee’s ongoing need for operational support for costumes, permits, printed materials and event logistics.

The presentation highlighted prior outreach — school programs, a butter‑making colonial demonstration and photography partnerships — and framed the request as an investment in county tourism. Harrington said the committee aims to leave behind durable "legacy projects" after the 2026 anniversary events, such as murals, interactive public art and a county passport program to encourage visitors to travel county sites.

Board members asked clarifying questions about prior grant strings, specific line items and volunteer capacity; staff did not record a final appropriation during the meeting and the committee was told the request will be reviewed in upcoming budget workshops. Harrington invited supervisors to attend committee meetings and reiterated the committee’s interest in county partnership to grow tourism and preserve local history.