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Vol. 33, No. 1 | Richmond Suburban News | May 11, 2016
Historic home Nutshell razed Ashland HCSB County officials determine pre-Civil War residence was not safe rep: no regrets By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
H
ANOVER — If walls could talk in old historic homes, Nutshell would have a long and illustrious story to convey. The pre-Civil War residence that is located behind the county’s Administrative Building now sits idle, and last week, county officials razed the property citing safety concerns. The home was built by the Winston Family, and descendants lived in the home until after the Civil War, surrounded by 600 acres adjacent to Hanover Courthouse. In its heyday, the home was a center of activity hosting dances and serving meals on court days, but a significant legacy surrounding the
Meredith Rigsby/The Local
Nutshell, a house located behind the Hanover County Administration Building, was razed Thursday. County officials expressed concerns about the safety of the historic structure.
building involves Martha Ann Fields, a slave who lived
at Nutshell with her family from 1855 to 1863.
Fields’ son, George see NUTSHELL, pg. 7
ASHLAND — More than three decades ago, Henry “Hank” Lowry accepted a position on a special education committee formed by Nina Peace, then a member of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. That began a lifelong interest and commitment to public education that culminated in his appointment to the Hanover County School Board four years ago. As Lowry prepares to complete that term this week, the commitment remains and, in his words, is even stronger. Years after that first appointment, 10 of the Lowrys’ 12 grandchildren either attend or will attend Hanover County Public Schools. “I’ll always maintain an interest in public education in Hanover County,” Lowry said last week. “I’ve always had a
HANK LOWRY makes a point during meeting
love for the public school system. A successful public education system is the key to having a successful nation,” he added. The Ashland realtor decided another four-year commitment was just too much and will not seek reappointment to the school board. “We always think about the future and what it holds. For my wife and I, the future is now and we want to do some see HCSB, pg. 14
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