FOR THE BEST PRODUCTION OF BEEF…Buckingham’s Agriculture Resource Network B.A.R.N.

by Sharon Curran Wright

Cattle relaxing in the BARN, waiting on their ride.

The Buckingham Cattlemen’s Association has operated since 1978 as a large group of like-minded cattle producers that strive for the production of quality beef in Southside Virginia. Through its partnership with the Virginia Cooperative Extension (B.C.E.), extension agents are able to bring research and resources from our land-grant universities straight to producers. The Association continues to grow and develop new, innovative ways for producers to market their cattle and beef in Virginia. 

The group holds quarterly educational meetings for members on the latest topics in beef production, such as cattle handling, proper health care and nutrition, genetics, reproduction, business, and marketing. In addition, the Association assists in compiling data on average daily gain of cattle, economical livestock practices, feed efficiency and quality, mineral formulation, and vaccine effectiveness. 

Seats 250 people. Great for educational programming and meetings.

The BCA in partnership with V.C.E., helps to educate the area producers in sponsoring a Tel-o- Auction with the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association to assist area producers in marketing their cattle. Cattle must qualify for a strict vaccination, genetic, and pre- weaning protocol and are also age and source verified. All the qualifications for this sale are put in place to aid in research and knowledge gained in new trends of marketing cattle and educating area producers of what practices will be economically efficient and profitable. 

Benefits for members of the BCA include a spring bred heifer sale, a fall feeder calf sale, discounts on vaccines and a breeding program, bulk pricing on mineral orders, and group scheduling of health checks, along with free use of branding irons, cattle scales, and squeeze chute. Members also can participate in an annual opportunity for a college scholarship and the option of renting the BARN facility, which has an indoor meeting and event space with commercial kitchen and, a covered outdoor cattle handling facility with multiple pens and a large arena. 

The Buckingham Cattlemen’s Association holds dinner meetings in January and April, then picnic  meetings in July and October, all of which include an educational program. More details can be found at buckinghamcattlemensassociation.com, or see the ad on page 63.

Loading out feeder calves.

An Active 2024 At the Curdsville Community Center

by Sharon Curran Wright

Building At Summer Festival

The Curdsville Community Center in Dillwyn experienced a busy year of activities in 2024. Along with the regular monthly potluck dinners, the CCC held a successful Fall Bazaar that raised funds for the building, a spring clean-up and yard sale, a holiday cookie exchange, and a collection to donate items to the people at the Heritage Hall Healthcare and Rehabilitation facility. In August, the community celebrated the 110th Anniversary of the Curdsville School by hosting a chicken barbeque fundraiser with live music, yard games, and food. 

A vital part of the community since 1915 when the Curdsville School was built as a three-room schoolhouse, the Curdsville Community Center acquired the building in 1954. The front of the building now functions as a community gathering space and as the polling place for Curdsville District voting. The schoolhouse section is in ongoing restoration of its historical features to honor the legacy of the past, including replacing the roof and securing the brick chimneys. Improvements to accommodate current residents will include modernizing the space, making accessibility improvements, renovating the bathrooms, and beautifying the landscape.  

From left: Secretary, Leah Allman: Vice-President, Clint Thackston: President, Mark Allman: Treasurer, Brad Baker

CCC officers envision an equally active future of free programs to bring the community together and a website to further their community outreach. As the historic schoolhouse is renovated, CCC members hope to document video interviews of residents who attended the Curdsville School and record their personal recollections; these could become part of a future museum in the old landmark building. 

Currently, the community center hosts a potluck dinner on the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. At the dinner, they include a “share your bounty” table where people can bring harvests or items to give away, such as vegetables, eggs, and books. At various meetings throughout the year, local proprietors share information about their businesses. This year we heard from Muddy Paws Winery; Old Dogg Manor, a local organic farm; and the Siller Pollination Company, experts in pollinator habitats and honey bees.  

Other activities hosted by the CCC have included a pumpkin decorating night, Thanksgiving dinner, and various fundraisers. The Fall Bazaar featured local craft vendors and food along with a “white elephant” room, where secondhand treasures donated from residents were sold. The center is available to host birthday parties, wedding showers and baby showers for a low cost that includes use of the event area, kitchen access, and free parking. All earnings go to the building fund. 

Any community member who wants to give some input about plans and events at the center can become a member or a committee chair or simply start attending the monthly meetings. Questions and suggestions are welcome through email at CurdsvilleCommunityCenter122@gmail.com.  

The Curdsville Community Center is located at 122 School Road in Dillwyn. 412-877-2904. 

THE BCC RECOGNIZES LOCAL LEADERS

The Buckingham Chamber of Commerce celebrated its successes and recognized award winners at its annual banquet, which this year was held at the Dillwyn Volunteer Fire Department in mid-January.

From left; Chris Hucks, Troublesome Creek Medicine-Best Business Award – Noah Jones, Youth Achievement Award – Trevor Agee, Volunteer of the Year Award; Irene Stoneman Ellis, Lifetime Achievement Award.

From left: Robbie Maxey, Jessica Moss & Ben Moss of Moss Tree Service – Best Business Award;
Kimberly Page– Volunteer of the Year Award; John O’Bryant– Lifetime Achievement Award.  

NOMINATION LETTER ABOUT IRENE STONEMAN ELLIS

for Life-Time Achievement Award

Irene Stoneman Ellis came to Buckingham almost 70 years ago as R. S. Ellis, IV’s bride. They worked with his parents to continue and expand the family farming operation that began around 1900, which including raising and selling Yorkshire hogs, Angus cattle, grains, hay, and timber. With a B.S. degree in Home Economics from Virigina Tech and a M.S. in Education from Longwood, she filled the position as a farmer’s wife and partner perfectly. Irene and her husband, Dick, were named Young Farmers of the Year in 1958. 

The Ellis farm is widely known for their quality livestock, Angus seedstock cattle. Since her husband’s untimely death in 1995, she has kept the family farm operating for over 30 years. Irene has been active in various farm organizations. She served on the Soil and Water Conservation Board and with the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association’s Cow Bells, for example.

Irene always finds time for community service. She has served Maysville Presbyterian Church in many ways, including as a Sunday school teacher, nursery attendant, pot-luck dinner assistant, being the church historian for many years, regularly cleaning sanctuary windows and still, polishing collection plates. 

Chosen as a Virginia 4-H All Star, the highest honor for a Virginia 4-H’er, as a teenager, Irene has followed that organization’s motto of “Service” throughout her life. She was a state officer. Many of her former club members are All Stars. The Chapter recognized her with its Hall of Fame Award.

Irene was a volunteer leader for the Buckingham Senior 4-H Club for many years. In that role, she mentored many youth. Many of her club members earned a trip to State 4-H Congress, and National 4-H Congress in Chicago. She was Buckingham’s 4-H Treasurer for about 30 years. Regularly attending conferences of the Virginia 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association, Irene also served on its board of directors. She served on the Board of Directors of Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center from January 1991 through 2013. She was instrumental in seeing that many needed projects at the Educational Center were done. 

Irene is a charter member of Historic Buckingham. She helped establish that organization in 1974 and served on the Board of Directors as an officer for over 30 years. During this time, the Housewright House became a museum, and the Buckingham Historic Village and Adams Museum opened. Whether preparing for the annual stew, hosting a museum, or working on newsletter mailings, Irene has been very active.

Appointed to the Buckingham County School Board in June 1976, Irene was the second woman to serve on that board and the first since the 1920’s. During her 12 years on the board multiple building and renovation projects were approved. 

Irene is a true Virginia Tech fan and enjoys watching or listening to all Tech sports. She served as a VT Hokie Club Representative, and she hosted a picnic for her VT dorm mates for over 50 years. Her volunteer and appointed work has made a difference in Buckingham County and Virginia. She is a very quiet, private person, but highly deserving of this award. 

Submitted by Wes Saxon and Friends

NOMINATION LETTER FOR TREVOR AGEE

I would like to nominate Trevor Agee for the Volunteer of the Year. Trevor is a third-generation volunteer within the fire department. 

He started volunteering at an early age alongside his grandfather, Pete Agee, and his dad, Keith Agee. He volunteers for both Glenmore and Dillwyn Fire Departments. He serves on Dillwyn while working during the week to make sure there is coverage whenever there is an emergency. If there is a call and he is within the county, you can count on him responding. 

He also volunteers for the tractor pulls, chicken BBQs, and many other events that the fire department sponsors. There are long hours for not only the event but the preparation beforehand that goes into having them. He has recently been helping clean up the land that was obtained for the Firefighters Association. 

Not only does he volunteer his time on the fire department, but Trevor also helps many people in the community. Whenever someone calls and needs help, he answers the call without hesitation. 

Recently, after a fire in the Glenmore area that threatened a home, I received multiple messages from the family letting me know just how much they appreciated him and how he is “top notch.” This is just one of the many compliments I receive about him whenever I am out in the community and they know he is my son-in-law. 

Trevor truly has a servant’s heart, and I hope the county will join me in recognizing all that he does for our community. Without volunteers like him, our county would not be what it is. 

Submitted by Stephanie Baird 

NOMINATION LETTER ABOUT CHRIS HUCKS, N.P.

Nothing is more exciting than seeing a brand new business begin and to see that business become successful! For some businesses, success comes slowly. For others it moves more quickly! Then there is the old sayin, “If you build it, THEY (meaning customers) will come! And that is exactly what has happened in the business I’m talking about.

I tried my best to keep the name a secret until the final paragraph, but it turned out to be impossible. Troublesome Creek Medicine began in March of 2022. The founder, Chris Hucks, Nurse Practitioner, certainly had the background and the qualifications to start such a business. He built his dream and THEY (in this case the patients) certainly came. 

Chris pulled together a staff of 8 local individuals and Troublesome Creek Medicine took off. Within less than a year, the practice had 1000 patients. 

One patient said, “Chris’s practice is reminiscent of the days of Dr. Garland Dyches and Dr. William & Dr Margaret Pennington. He makes house calls! This is practically unheard of in this day of telemedicine and sometimes waiting for several days to see a doctor”

One of his nurses shared that Chris truly listens to his patients and goes above and beyond to provide old-fashioned service with up to date technology! 

It gives me great pleasure to nominate Chris Hucks, NP and Troublesome Creek Medicine as Buckingham’s Business of The Year! 


Sincerely,
Sandra Moss 

NOMINATION LETTER ABOUT NOAH JONES

A hardworking, intelligent young man could be a way to describe Noah Jones. He is the son of Seth and Jessica Jones and II am nominating him for the 2024 Youth Achievement Award. 

Noah Reid Jones is a 2024 graduate of Buckingham County High School. Noah is a well-rounded, young man who is passionate about hard work. His passion can be seen in his academics and personal life. I believe that he is deserving of the Youth Achievement Award. 

Noah graduated as an honor graduate this past spring. Not only did he maintain a 3.87 GPA, he was very active in extracurricular organizations throughout his high school career serving in many different leadership positions and putting in many hours of community service. He served as Treasurer of the FFA his senior year, and was a member of the FBLA, Skills USA, Beta Organization, National Honor Society, and SCA. Noah was the State Winner for his Proficiency Application in the area of Forest Management and Products. His application went on to be judged at the National FFA level and received a silver rating. Noah also received multiple awards for his achievements playing soccer multiple years. He was recognized as a Senior of the Month for his scholastic and personal achievements and community service.

Personally, Noah is active in Mulberry Grove Baptist Church’s youth group. He has volunteered at 4H Camp as a Teen Leader multiple years. Noah is also passionate about his career. He has been working at S.R. Jones Logging for several years where he has grown his love for the logging industry. He plans to receive his degree in Agribusiness through Southside Community College and continue working at S.R. Jones Logging company. 

It has been an honor for me to watch this young man work hard in so many different areas of his life. I believe that Noah is someone who deserves the Youth Achievement Award. 


Sincerely,
Casey Davis


Please note the qualifications and accomplishments of these outstanding Buckingham County citizens in the nomination letters above. Nominations for these awards are accepted throughout the year, ending Dec. 31st. If you know of someone, or a business, deserving of recognition by the Buckingham County community, please call 983-2372 or send your letter to the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 951, Dillwyn, VA 23936.

The banquet also included the installation of officers and the Chamber’s Board of Directors.



From left: Eddie Slagle (Director), Margaret Stout (Director), Jewel Harris (Director), Tyler Wallen (Director), Sandra Moss (Newsletter Editor), Ruth Lyle (Treasurer), Barbara Wheeler (Director), Brother Maximilian Watner (President), Gil Ragland (Director), Justin Midkiff (Director). Not present, Brenda Jones (Director). Faye Shumaker (Director). At lectern, Kathy Midkiff.

2025 Buckingham Chamber of Commerce Officers

Brother Maximilian Watner, President
Barbara Wheeler, Vice-President
Sandra. Moss, Newsletter Editor
Faye Shumaker, Secretary
Ruth Lyle, Treasurer

Directors

Eddie Slagle
Brenda Jones
Jewel Harris
Margaret Vance
Justin Midkiff
Tyler Wallen

Active and Going Places 

by Sharon Curran Wright

A Nice Visit to Tangiers Island

The Buckingham Active Seniors a fun group of individuals, ages 50 and up, who come together to share common interests and explore new ones. Their goal is to provide fun and exciting activities for senior citizens in Buckingham County.  

The Buckingham Active Seniors has grown tremendously since their start in late 2010. They meet at 1:00 on the second Tuesday of each month except in June, November, and December at the Buckingham Community Center beside Dollar General in Dillwyn. They strive for positive, informative, and enjoyable quality programs and events for members.  Along with socializing, members contribute a dish for the refreshment table and settle in to learn something new from the variety of speakers who have participated. Over the past two years, various local groups have spoken of the services they provide, and others have provided information about exercises to do at home, facts and resources related to Alzheimer’s disease, and how to avoid scams. Special talks by Marian Kyner, MSN, RN, informed the group about dementia and keeping the brain healthy, being social to live longer, and the relationship between music and memory. 

The group also sponsors trips outside the area. In May of 2023, they took a boat to Tangier Island for a tour and lunch. In September of 2023, they went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for two days to see a play and visit the Amish Markets.  

Bingo Christmas Fun

On the third Tuesday of the month, the Buckingham Active Seniors have a “Fun Day.” This could mean a movie or games, and Bingo is always a big hit. They have visited Saunders’ Orchard and had lunch at Lovingston Inn. A trip to the Shenandoah Heritage Market provided an opportunity to shop and get lunch at the Wood Grill. In January they held a Yard Sale Swap for Fun Day, where people exchanged items. In June of each year, members meet at a selected park for a “Senior Picnic,” and in September they will meet for a fish fry. 

In June of 2023, the group held a “Senior Prom,” a wonderful evening of getting dressed up for dinner and dancing that was so popular they plan to do it again this year. At Thanksgiving they invite veterans from the community to join them for a large luncheon so they can be recognized for their service and share in the meal. Our seniors are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, toys, and clothing to donate to Buckingham County families in need. 

A Trip to Riverside Dinner Theater

The Buckingham Active Seniors get together for fellowship and to possibly learn something new. Seventy or eighty members bring food for the refreshment table and enjoy talking after the regular meeting on the second Tuesday. The third Tuesday of the month is “Fun Day” when they will get together for a movie or games or travel. Meetings are held at the Community Center beside Dollar General in Dillwyn. Membership is free, so grab a friend and join the fun! For more information, contact Wendy Spivey at 969-4242, ext. 1216.

Transition of Emergency Services Successful 

by Sharon Curran Wright

During a recent interview with Cody Davis, Director/Chief of the Buckingham Department of Emergency Services, Davis said that, as of December of 2020, the Buckingham County Volunteer Rescue Squad had transitioned all of its operations over to the Buckingham County Department of Emergency Services. After 50 years of excellent service by volunteers, the county responded to a dwindling volunteer force and increasing administrative requirements by staffing positions with county employees. A number of those who previously volunteered are now on staff, and three continue
to volunteer with BCDES. 

One of the first orders of business by the county was to remodel, expand, and reopen the Glenmore Station. Doing this drastically decreased response times to the northern part of the county and allowed better services to citizens in that part of Buckingham. 

BCDES’s newest ambulance, a 2022 Wheeled Coach/F-550 Type 1 Ambulance

Two new ambulances – one of which already has more than 100,000 miles on it – serve the county. Through grants and other funding support, BCDES has been able to place new heart monitors into service and new state-of-the-art airway placement technology. A new utility terrain vehicle for accessing remote patients and new ventilators will be placed into service soon. In addition to these new assets, the department is also working on implementing new and improved patient care protocols and unveiling programs and initiatives that will enhance care in Buckingham County. 

Interior of aforementioned, displaying some of our equipment, including stretcher and heart monitor.

At the time that the county took control, there were roughly 1800 calls for service being handled annually. This number continues to increase and is now at roughly 2200-2300 annually. While the number of calls is increasing in general, the biggest reason for the spike in numbers over the last two years is that Buckingham is handling more of its own calls rather than having to request mutual aid assistance. This is a benefit of our increasing number of staffed ambulances in the county.

From left to right, staff members  EMT-A Roebuck, EMT-B Atkinson, Paramedic McConville, and Captain/Paramedic Plumb grab a shift photo as they begin their day.

Davis believes that the county has benefitted from the transition by having more personnel and more medic-level staff as well as by the addition of more reliable and advanced equipment. He points out that the staff is composed primarily of Buckingham County residents, which promotes a sense of ownership, pride, and compassion. Davis hopes that the current department supports and protects county citizens as well as the volunteer force did for so many years. 

Davis gives credit to the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors, County Administrator, County Attorney, and the citizens. Their support of BCDES has been paramount to the department’s  success.

Stars, Wine & Muddy Paws

by Sharon Curran Wright

Kathie and Michael Boyce had a dream of leaving city life behind, buying some land, and living a different life. To that end, they bought property in Buckingham County and established KMB Farms, where they keep bees, grow garlic and berry bushes, and will soon be making fruit wines. 

This summer they will open Muddy Paws Winery, its name a tip of the hat to the 17 dogs that they have rescued over the years. Wines will be made, bottled, and sold on site. The Boyces have been making fruit wines for 15 years, having learned the craft by joining amateur wine groups that met monthly, sharing ideas, tips, tricks, and recipes. Among their favorite fruit wines that they have made are elderberry, raspberry, apricot, apple, strawberry, cherry, and pomegranate. Because they are beekeepers, they also make various meads. Stone fruits for their wines will be harvested from an established orchard that they lease in Nelson County; they plan to grow their own berry bushes and some grapevines. 

Kathie & Michael Boyce

According to Mike, fruit wines are typically sweeter than grape wines and true to the fruit flavor. A fruit wine will ferment in eight weeks, so a fresh batch will be produced at Muddy Paws every eight weeks. Muddy Paws Winery can do five batches at a time, and they plan to have that many available at the “soft” opening of the winery in late spring. They also plan to open on weekends this summer with a grand opening planned in October. 

In addition to offering unusual wines, Muddy Paws Winery will have a tasting room and outdoor seating in a wooded area so patrons can enjoy the natural setting. A fenced-in dog park area will promote play with pets and interaction among pet lovers. Patrons will be able to stroll through gardens and a nature trail. Unique “Wine and Star Night” events will center around a 600-pound antique Newtonian telescope that is 10 feet long and a foot in diameter, built in Michigan in the 1930s. It is powerful enough to see all the planets and some binary stars.

Muddy Paws Winery is located on KMB Farms, an enterprise already familiar to many in Buckingham County. At KMB Farms, Michael grows garlic and sells garlic products including smoked garlic powder and garlic cooking wine. Kathie started handcrafting soaps from natural ingredients 18 years ago and now includes salves, lip balms, creams, and laundry detergent in her inventory. She makes a soap for soothing poison ivy,
pine tree body butter, and goat’s milk hand
cream. In all of her soaps, Kathie sources shea butter from women in a village in Ghana, a business decision that aids entrepreneurship among women in that country.

Both Kathie and Mike love to experiment with ingredients to come up with new products. After discovering that some cleaning products contain chemicals that are toxic to dogs, they created a spray out of natural ingredients that is safe and actually cleans better.

The motto for KMB Farms is “Right Next Door to Nature.” They use no artificial ingredients, and their products are all natural “with nothing you can’t pronounce,” as Mike likes to say. They don’t use pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. The packaging they use is biodegradable or reusable. 

KMB Farms products can be found at the Scottsville Farm Market or on the farm itself. The Muddy Paws website and KMB Farms Facebook page will carry announcements about upcoming events.  For more information, call (301) 305-2773.

2024 Buckingham County Photo Contest

There were over 30 entries in the 2024 Buckingham Photo Contest. The Grand Prize was $75, 1st place in each category received $30, 2nd places received $20 and 3rd places received $10. All winners received ribbons. The 2024 categories were: Buckingham County Events; Farm Animals & Pets; Wildlife (Animals, Birds, Insects); Nature; Historic and Vintage, plus Youth Entries. Entries in the 2025 contest will be accepted from April 1st to July 15th. The photos must be taken (preferably digital so they can be professionally published) in Buckingham County and both the Buckingham Chamber and Buckingham County must be given permission  to use them.

For an application and/or rules for this years’ contest, call the Buckingham Chamber at
983-2372
or you can download an entry form at www.buckinghamchamberofcommerce.com

1st Place & Best in Show — “Farm Animals and Pets” Lisa Phillips, “My First Snow”
1st Place Youth — “Nature” Harley Steinruck, “Here Comes the Sun”
1st Place – “Wildlife” Alexander Wiseman, “Red Headed Woodpecker”
“Nature” Lisa Phillips, “Peace Be Still”
2nd Place – “Buckingham County Events” Max Watner, “Gene Dixon Ballfield”
2nd Place – “Historic and Vintage” Randy Toney, “Love, Dillwyn”
3rd Place – “Farm Animals and Pets” Rachel Lawhorne, “Moses”
3rd Place – “Nature” Alexander Wiseman, “Brother Observing the Sun”
1st Place – “Historic and Vintage” Lisa Phillips, “Lavender Moments”
1st Place Youth – “Farm Animals and Pets” Kelsi Steinruck “Sassy Cat”
1st Place – “Farm Animals and Pets” Nicole Kirby “A dog named Star”
2nd Place – “Wildlife” Lisa Phillips “Pollinators Delight”
3rd Place – “Wildlife” Randy Toney “Coiled & Ready”
2nd Place – “Nature” Randy Toney “Early Morning”
3rd Place – “Historic and Vintage” Max Watner “Mack Truck With Missing M”
1st Place – “Buckingham County Events” Lisa Phillips “Pickin’ Time”
3rd Place – “Buckingham County Events” Thomas Brauner “Young Men Working in the St. Thomas Garden”

A Tranquil & Prayerful Space

All About St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary

by Sharon Curran Wright


Springtime procession to ask God for the blessing of the fields.

A smooth driveway winds through woods and leads to a large, open space high on a hill in western Buckingham County near Dillwyn. From here a broad view of the surrounding mountains and forests inspires a sense of quiet and calm, conducive to a life of prayer and study at the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary.

A Catholic seminary is a specialized college that forms Catholic priests who will be dedicated completely to the service of Jesus Christ and His Church. As a house of studies of the Society of St. Pius X, the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary draws from the 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church and its traditions. The seminarians focus on the Christian philosophy and theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, who lived in the Middle Ages in Italy but whose teachings have had great influence on Western thought. Though there are more than 180 Catholic Seminaries in the United States, this is the only seminary of their congregation in North America.

Previously located in Winona, Minnesota, the seminary had outgrown the old facility, but another building that suited their needs couldn’t be found. The organization received a donation of land in Buckingham and bought adjacent tracts in 2011 to total about 1100 acres. They found the natural beauty of the area and its weather to be welcoming toward their goals of some measure of self-sufficiency and their life of prayer. Finding a new home in the state that was so important to our country’s foundation serves to unite their love of God with their love of country. 

The new building is made of red brick and slate with the intention that it will last for centuries in the Old World tradition. The goal was to design a place in which the beauty, silence, simplicity, permanence, and stability of the architecture would complement the spiritual formation of the seminarians. During construction the seminarians worked in rotational crews, especially on the tile work. Over ten miles of trim and millwork were all made in their own workshop.


The Liturgical Ceremony for Holy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter): the consecration of the holy oils by the bishop.

The 120,000 square foot building can house up to 120 students plus staff, faculty, and guests and includes a laundry, classrooms, bedrooms, offices, an exercise room, and a barbershop. The courtyard is a place for quiet reading and contemplation, and its lovely pool of water functions as part of the fire suppression system. Dark wood furniture and trim, arch supports in the hallways, and arched windows provide a consistent theme of tradition and permanence to the architecture. Plans for the future include a convent and chapel for the sisters of the order as well as a vineyard, large vegetable garden, and orchard. Fundraising for a full church will begin in a few years; the church building will extend eastward from the front plaza where the bells are located and will join the administration building with the seminary proper. Eventually, there may also be a retreat center. 


The Seminary is a house of higher education as well as prayer. The Seminarians have up to four classes per day.

Today, the seminary hosts 108 young men from seven different countries. These are those who have felt the call of the Lord to serve and who applied with a letter of recommendation from their local priest. There are seven brothers and six sisters in addition to ten professors, of which nine are priests and one a lay man. Seminarians are all on “work-study,” so there are only five full-time employees; the rest of the work is done by the brothers and the seminarians, including janitorial duties, kitchen work, and grounds maintenance. Students pay a small tuition, and private donations also support the seminary.  

A very strict schedule of prayer, study, and work begins at 6 a.m. There is silence for much of the day as a necessary condition for learning; silence makes one receptive to intellectual formation. The community acts as a family of people who pray, eat, work, and recreate together. Three classes every morning may include theology, philosophy, history, Latin, scripture, apologetics, dogma, and canon law. Daily Mass is delivered and two services are held on Sunday. Worship is conducted in Latin as a demonstration of unity with the faith since the time of the apostles and of unity with all believers throughout the world because the Latin Mass is the same in every country.


The Seminary students and faculty at the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic year. The priests/professors are seated in the front row. Only after the first year-and-a-half of their studies do the Seminarians receive the black cassock.

St. Thomas Aquinas supports local businesses whenever possible and draws about 1000 visitors every year into the county to attend the various ordination ceremonies. Several families have moved from out of state to be near the seminary, and one even brought their family business with them. The seminary has been very involved with the Buckingham Anti-Litter Task Force and won first place in both of the anti-litter drives in 2021 for the most trash collected. One of the brothers sits on the BATF Board of Directors. The seminary is also actively involved with the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce; one of the brothers is vice-president of the Chamber. In the future, they hope to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and they plan to contribute to local blood drives.

While the recently constructed building is reminiscent of a medieval castle, the seminarians do not intend to be outsiders to the community. Services are open to the public. An Open House is planned for May 14, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during which a free lunch will be offered along with a tour of the chapel, building, and grounds. If you plan to attend, please inform them ahead of time at webmaster@stas.org. Daily Mass is at 7:15 a.m. and on Sundays at 7:20 a.m. and 10 a.m. Vespers, which is chanting of the Psalms, occurs at 5 p.m.

Seminarians say that Virginia has been very welcoming, and they would like to return the favor. When you spot a brother in black robes walking through town, don’t be shy; they would like to engage as friendly neighbors here in Buckingham.


A computer-generated rendering of the proposed church for St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary. Currently a large conference room serves as the place of worship. The new church will tie into the current building. On the right half of the picture is the current East wing of the main cloister. Fundraising and construction are expected to begin in about 5-7 years.

Historic Buckingham, Inc. The Historic Village at Lee Wayside, The Housewright Museum and The Adams Museum

The historic village was ten years in the making and opened on September 20th, 2007. It is located on almost 40 acres adjacent to the Lee Wayside and is owned by Historic Buckingham, Inc. The historic significance of the property is that Rose Cottage was a stage coach stop and also the spot where General Robert E. Lee and his troops stayed two days after the surrender at Appomattox on his way back to Richmond.

At the present time, the Village consists of the following structures: log tobacco barn, slate company office, slate roofed privy, general store/ welcome center, corn crib, smoke house, one room school, post office and an outdoor pavilion. A working blacksmith shop which was built on site now contains a beautiful brick forge and is staffed with a local blacksmith during special events. 

The newest addition to the village is The Village Stage. Completed in 2013, it is used for music and theater. The restroom facility was completed in 2017 and the Morgan Building , housing a sawmill exhibit and the 1918 Chevy car opened in 2019. 

Over 2000 visitors come to the Village during its 7 major events and also on weekends when there is no event. A volunteer staff is available every weekend to lead visitors on a tour. The Village, which is a living history park, is an extension of HBI’s main headquarters. The Housewright Museum is located across from the Buckingham County Courthouse. The Housewright Museum has wonderful exhibits of Buckingham history and artifacts.

In 2018 , HBI opened a wonderful addition to its other sites, The Adams Museum. This new building is located directly behind the Housewright Museum and houses the collections of H. Spencer Adams and his late wife, Winnie Adams. The HBI Research Library is also housed in The Adams Museum which is handicapped accessible.

• The Historic Village is open, weather permitting, April–December, on Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. Call (434) 547-2296 for information, for a special tour of the village, to volunteer or to use the park for your group, or visit www.leewaysidevillage.com

• Housewright Museum and The Adams Museum are open April–December, 1pm to 4pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call (434) 547-2296 for more information about the museum, or visit www.historicbuckingham.org

• Events in 2021: During COVID restrictions, the museums and village may not open until June. Check website or call 434-547-2296.

Plan to Attend These Fun Events!

Mayfest (Buckingham County Day) likely canceled in 2021.


The Fall Farm Fest is October TBA

The Spooky Hollow Drive Thru, October 30, 2021
The Village Christmas Market is December 4th 10:00 – 4:00
The Housewright Museum Christmas Open House is December 4, & 5

Other special events not pictured here:

Primitive Technology Day is cancelled 2021.

Vino in The Village TBA

Indian Relic Show Oct 9

The Buckingham Chamber of Commerce recently met to honor and recognize local leaders.

 

From left: Keith Agee, Jonathan Fitzgerald, Rachel Bardon. Forground, Atman Johnson

Keith Agee was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with the Glenmore Division of the Buckingham County Fire Dept. He has been an active member of the Glenmore United Methodist Church, where he has held many titles. Read more about Keith in his nomination letter below.

Rachel Bardon, a Senior at Buckingham County High School, won the Youth Achievement Award. She is in the Governor’s school program and, In addition to her heavy academic load, she is the vice-president of the future Business Leaders of America and a member of the Students Against Destructive Decisions.

She has also been a member of the local 4-H club for several years. Read more about Rachel in her nomination letter below.

Special Touch Design Florist was recognized as Business of the Year. Owned and operated by Tracy and Jonathan Fitzgerald, they were honored for their excellent customer service and professionalism. Read more about Special Touch Design Florist in their nomination letter below.

Atman Johnson was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award for his work at the James River State Park, assistance with newborns at U.VA, and his help with Heartland Horse Heros in Dillwyn. Read more about Atman in his nomination letter below.