CONTACT/NEWS

Kudos to Council

The Bristol Historical Association is deeply grateful to Bristol Virginia City Council’s gift of land for the relocation of the Robert Preston house and log cabin. This generous gift helps ensure the preservation of the oldest frame structure in Washington County, Virginia and the only surviving house from the 1700s in greater Bristol.

As we work to move the house and cabin to their new location, we need the continued support of both the city and its citizens. To keep relocation costs low, volunteers are needed to help clean up the current site, move the log cabin, and perform other tasks. Funds for the restoration of these buildings are now more important than ever since the city has given us a three-year timeframe to complete the project.

The restoration of these structures and operation of a living history museum will create an additional historic attraction and help bring tourist dollars and tax revenues to Bristol. The Robert Preston Living History museum should also be a complementary attraction for the ‘The Crooked Road’ Heritage Music Trail.

Rocky Mount in Piney Flats attracts close to 28,000 visitors a year, and Rocky Mount Director Gary Walrath has graciously agreed to serve on the advisory board of the Robert Preston project. In time we hope to achieve similar visitation numbers.

But what we hope to achieve could not be accomplished without the support of our current city council. We commend the leadership they have shown in helping us preserve this invaluable piece of early American history for future generations to enjoy.

Jan Rainero, Chair
Robert Preston House Committee
Bristol Historical Association

Phone: (423) 968-4140
Email: janrainero@hotmail.com