Preserving, Living, and Making History: The Story of the Waterford Foundation
by Morgan Hensley
Marveling at Waterford’s antique homes and scenic vistas trailing off into the horizon, one can’t help but feel engulfed in history, all thanks to the Waterford Foundation. Its story is one of rich history and strong communal ties, of neighbors coming together not only to preserve, but to persevere.
The Waterford Foundation was founded in 1943 by 16 residents who recognized a need to ensure the legacy of their village by safeguarding it from encroaching suburban sprawl.
“Our foundation is one of the most successful grassroots preservation organizations,” Preservation Director Margaret Good said. “It’s still very grassroots today.”
The founders’ mission remains the same today: to preserve the historic buildings and open spaces of Waterford while educating the public about life and work in an early American mill town.
In 1970, the 1,420-acre area, which includes the village and surrounding farmlands, was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior, placing the village in the same echelon as Mount Vernon and Monticello. However, in the case of Waterford, it’s not the estate of a Founding Father that is commemorated, but rather an entire community.
The historic community is comprised of Federal-style homes built in the early 18th and 19th centuries; the Fairfax Quaker meetinghouse built in 1740; a corner store, in use since 1900, which sells jellies, hand-rolled beeswax candles, and other sundries made by locals; the Old Schoolhouse, where the foundation is headquartered, and its adjoined auditorium, a lyceum for concert series, book talks, and art exhibits; and the one-room school for African-American residents of Waterford, where a unique educational opportunity exists.
Every year, 1,500 third- and fourth-grade students take part in a reenactment of a typical 1880 school day. Costumed volunteers, the “teachers,” lead pupils through history lessons and hold a spelling bee to inform and expose students to the limitations African-American students faced during Reconstruction.
Much of the capital needed to maintain these cherished buildings and educational programs comes from the Waterford Homes Tour and Crafts Exhibit, the foundation’s largest fundraiser. The Waterford Fair attracts 20,000 visitors annually, adding approximately $300,000 to the foundation’s coffers while directing an estimated $4.5 million into the hands of local artisans and businesses.
The fair is an educational occasion as well. The juried artisans are required to spend 50 percent of their time demonstrating their craft. “Selling their art or product is only one of their objectives,” said fair director Tracy Kirkman. “We ask that they show fair-goers what they do as well. There are a lot of traditional arts that people don’t see anywhere else. Broom-makers. Coopers. These trades are dying out elsewhere, but Waterford is a working village, a place to showcase a bit of living history.”
Last year’s fair was canceled due to the torrential rains of Hurricane Joaquin, marking the first cancellation since the organization’s inception.
“The good news is,” Kirkman said, “that after last year, we should have clear skies for the next 70 years.”
This year’s fair, scheduled Oct. 7-9, is slated for a momentous return. For the first time, farm breweries and food trucks will set up shop among the vendors. 129 artisans will sell their works and demonstrate their craft. There are string bands, barbershop quartets, and magic shows. The renowned home tours will resume as well.
“For history buffs, the home tours are the main draw,” Kirkman says. “Our docents are all well-versed in the history of the village and its homes, right down to the furniture.”
Over the years, the Waterford Foundation has done more than preserve its village’s history; through its educational opportunities, community events, and national recognition, the foundation has become a part of Waterford’s history.