A week ago, I stopped by Seven Bends State Park and found a new sign that tells a bit about the park's history. It is on the Lupton Road side of the park near the former pony barn.
"Massanutten Military Academy acquired the land in 1930... The Academy farm included a farmhouse, multiple barns with outbuildings, a smoke house, and a well house. It not only provided provisions to Massanutten Military Academy, it also housed horses that the cadets used for riding lessons. The horse stables are the only remains of the original farm that is now a portion of Seven Bends State Park, but other remnants can still be spotted over the entire landscape."
of years later."
On Sunday I returned to the park to help with an event at the LOVE sign. Hardly anyone showed up because it was windy and cold. Joan, who decorated the sign for Mother's Day, took my picture. I took a picture of the sign from an angle because I have plenty of pictures of this sign already.Joan had brought some decals and other items with her. I rarely put stickers on my car but I liked the one below so much that it is on the rear window.
A lot of history in that place.
ReplyDelete...state parks are much used resources in this area. Thanks Linda for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI think members of congress should all pose by that Love sign and then begin to embrace its message.
ReplyDeletewonderful state park...and great to know the history. Cute photo with the banners blowing on LOVE sign. But I'm not sure about the ones where your portrait was taken.
ReplyDeleteInteresting history. I really do like State Parks; when we traveled they were great sources of beauty, nature and history as you show so well about your State. No wonder you display that sticker proudly! It is too bad the weather was uncooperative for the event at the LOVE sign.
ReplyDeletewell maintain park... love the colorful sign
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend
I attended Camp Lupton for 4 weeks in the summers of 1955 and 1956, and 8 weeks in the summer of 1957. It was well run, not overly militarized, and accepted boys as young as 6 and as old as 13 (but not high school-age). I recall campers coming in from the D.C. area and even from Cuba. One "Major Benchoff" was the director. There were about six lodges, named for American native tribes: Onondaga, Seneca, Iroquois, etc. There was no pool. We swam in the river and did competitive swimming at the military academy indoor pool. We had camping trips up a ridge from the stables, could ride up and keep horses up there overnight. There was an infirmary and a camp nurse (Ms. Schradel I think). My first summer there almost the entire camp caught the flu, and for two or three days dozens of kids slept on blankets and mattresses outside the lodges due to active nausea. It was a mess, and when I phoned my parents (one call per week the first year was all that was allowed), I was censured by Major Benchoff - because he feared parents would come and take their kids home. I do recall evening campfire meetings around the huge stone fireplace, and campfire songs. I'm glad to know there's still some recognition of the camp's history.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your reminiscences.
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