Piedmont’s Heritage Beckons New Executive Director

Piedmont’s Heritage Beckons New Executive Director

By Emma Boyce

The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association has welcomed a new executive director with an unlikely background. Alex Nance joins the VPHA team alongside Travis Shaw, Ian Macdougall, and Rich Gillespie with the goal of expanding membership to the next generation. Nance grew up moving between Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County, all close to Civil War battlefields and other historic sites.

After earning a Bachelor’s in international politics from Georgetown and a Masters in public policy from the University of Virginia, Nance began his career as an officer in the U.S. Army. He continued with the military for almost a decade, eventually rising to the prestigious role of military analyst.

“It’s a total career switch,” said Nance, who credits the VPHA board and his staff members for helping him along the way. “I couldn’t be happier so far. I have always been interested in history as a hobby so it seemed like the perfect fit.”

History is one of the things that drew him to Middleburg over a year ago. Originally based in D.C., Nance recalled reading about his soon-to-be neighborhood on the VPHA website while stationed in Afghanistan, a stark contrast from the idyllic Blue Ridge Mountains. When he became a VPHA member, he had no idea the programs he so admired would soon be under his purview.

“The VPHA has done an excellent and very unique job among other organizations in the area,” said Nance, who became executive director in January. “They present a comprehensive view of all the history of the region, not just focusing on one topic in particular, but giving a good overview of the past several hundred years of history in this area.”

Some of VPHA’s more notable programming includes countywide scavenger hunts and driving/walking tours. On its website, detailed information is available on several self-guided tours, with each focusing on a pivotal moment in history.

“We’re trying to get a lot more breadth in our programs,” Nance said. “We’ve offered some outstanding historical programming over the past five, ten, fifteen years, and we will continue to do so, but we also want to build on those existing programs to reach a new audience that might be interested in other aspects of the heritage area.”

One way the organization has engaged a different crowd is through music. Recently, it held a Patsy Cline tribute concert, featuring VPHA board member Bess Putnam on vocals. Nance foresees many more exciting new programs to come.

“[The concert] helped us reach a new, younger crowd. We want to offer more programs while keeping the things that our existing members love about our organization.”

Nance hopes the organization gains more visibility with visitors to the Piedmont area. Whether they’re driving through or staying to enjoy the numerous wineries and breweries dotting the countryside, Nance “wants to have something that appeals to everyone.”

So far, his enthusiasm for the Piedmont has proved boundless. Despite the unavoidable maintenance issues that accompany living in a nineteenth-century house, Nance has found life in Middleburg rewarding.

“You can’t beat the history,” he said. “It’s an absolute dream imagining all that has happened outside our front door, in our backyard, up and down Route 50. It’s hundreds of years of history. We learn something new ever yday and that will never get old for me.”