Museum Hosts VA Association of Counties Board

Ms. Sherrin Alsop, a King and Queen County supervisor and the president of the board of the Virginia Association of Counties (VACO), led VACO members on a tour of the Middle Peninsula after an April board meeting. VACO is the voice of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s counties that exists to represent, promote and protect the interest of the counties. VACO’s 30 member board manages the collaboration of 13 districts from all over the Commonwealth to insure effective lobbying and provides educational programs that offer county leaders and staff opportunities to become more effective in their communities.

The objective of the tour was to introduce the richness and diversity of the counties of the Middle Peninsula. After lunch at Lowery’s Restaurant in Tappahannock, 25 board members, 5 spouses and 3 staff toured the King and Queen County Courthouse Tavern Museum. Museum Council chair Nancy Herman Thompson welcomed them. Also, there to greet them were King and Queen County officials R. F. “Rusty” Bailey Jr., Chairman of the Board of Supervisors; Clerk of the Court, Vanessa Porter; Commissioner of Revenue, Kelly N. Lumpkin; and Sheriff John R. Charboneau. Docents provided an overview of many of the exhibits within the museum complex in addition to the old Court House building, now housing the Circuit Court. Mrs. Myrtle Alsop and Pamela Alsop Green served refreshments. The visitors were from all over the Commonwealth including northern Virginia, Northern Neck, and western counties (Lee, Scott, Wythe, and Bedford) and were delighted with the demographic, geographical, and historical information they received. It was really a treat for most of them since this was their first time in the area.

The remainder of the day was spent at other area venues learning about history in Gloucester Co., aquaculture and aqua-business on the York River, and Commonwealth of Virginia initiatives on behalf of counties. Ms. Alsop commented, “I was so happy to see the region come together to make this trip to the Middle Peninsula a success.”