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Heroes Making an Impact
Heroes Making an Impact
The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area recently presented its Heritage Hero awards at a ceremony at Buchanan Hall in Upperville, recognizing local citizens and groups who have made a notable impact to the area.
These citizens exemplify a true understanding of the historic resources of the region and their efforts as stewards are honored.
The 2023 honoree was Betsee Parker, an avid preservationist and philanthropist in this area and beyond. Her efforts have supported numerous charities in the United Kingdom, and she has played key roles in projects throughout Africa with humanitarian initiatives. She has also given major support to charities in Haiti, among several other countries.
Locally, Parker has restored and renovated the historic 150-acre Huntland Estate on Pot House Road. This encompasses the main house, gardens, stables, kennels, and original quarters of enslaved people. In addition, she made the conservation purchase of the nearby Farmer’s Delight estate on Mountville Road.
Farmer’s Delight dates to Revolutionary America, with a house built in the 1790s by Colonel Joseph Flavius Lane. At this property, she preserved acres of ecological habitat on the grounds. She is credited as a leader in multiple other crucial preservation efforts such as developing and funding the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Upperville Colt & Horse Show Grounds. She has also ensured the preservation of the historic general store in the village of Unison by donating the building to the Unison Preservation Society.
The Public Educator of the Year award is given each year in recognition of a person or group for their commitment to sharing the history of the Heritage Area with a wider audience.
The award was given to two honorees for their work in 2023. The first is Danyael Graham, a long-time educator and the current Social Science Supervisor for Loudoun County Public Schools. Since taking on the role as Supervisor, Danyael has worked closely with community organizations, including VPHA, to bring local history to students throughout the county.
She has been instrumental in connecting teachers to VPHA staff and making schools aware of the historic resources available in the Heritage Area.
The second 2023 award recognized the Waterford Foundation. Since 1943, it has worked to protect and preserve the village of Waterford and the surrounding landscape.
The village has become an important educational resource, providing countless students with the opportunity to explore an intact 19th century village. In 2023, the Foundation worked to create an extensive new field trip program during which hundreds of middle school students learned about the complex history of the Reconstruction era through the experiences of Waterford’s citizens.
