Ashland developing MidAtlantic Railroad Park

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) —

Steam engines to modern freight trains, resort town to “center of the universe,” Ashland’s newest venture aims to share town history one train whistle at a time.

The MidAtlantic Railroad Park will be a walking museum that tells the story of Ashland and its railroad ties through eight exhibits spread around town. Five will be located along the railroad tracks, primarily along both north south Railroad Avenue in the heart of Ashland, while three others will be located along England Street, starting at the Henry Clay shopping center and moving west toward town.

Each one will have information, photos or even train artifacts. They are tentatively scheduled to open next year.

Led by the Downtown Ashland Association and in partnership with the Hanover County Black Heritage Society, the Ashland Museum and the Town of Ashland, the project is several years in the making. But recent boosts in both community support and financial gifts have allowed those behind the park to move forward in finding professionals for construction and installation.

In early September, the project was given a $50,000 grant by Ashland-based Doswell Limited Partnership, a local natural gas power plant. That was added to another $50,000 grant from the Richmond-based Mary Morton Parsons Foundation in spring 2019, which included a match requirement. The association raised about $60,000 to meet that match.

The project needs about $20,000 more, said Maggie Longest, Downtown Ashland Association executive director. She said she’s optimistic that the park can open tentatively late next spring, but there’s no firm date yet because it all depends on how quickly they can now mobilize.

“We’re close to finishing, we just need help getting there,” she said, explaining that the goals are simple:...