|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| | ||||||||
|
Contact: Jenni Brockman Phone: 804-443-3357 Fax: 804-443-6781 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tappahannock (August 16, 2004) - Strong family ties and fond memories of summers in the area have led to a $300,000 gift from the Chinn family that will bring the renovation of historic Brockenbrough House much closer to completion. 
Photo left:
The next phase of renovation work is about to begin at historic Brockenbrough House on the St. Margaret’s School campus, thanks to a generous gift in memory of a Brockenbrough descendant.The gift was made in memory of Dr. Austin Brockenbrough Chinn, the son of Judge Joseph William Chinn, from whom St. Margaret’s School purchased the Brockenbrough House in 1927. Dr. Chinn’s adult children—sons Garry and Austin and daughter Ellen Curtis—recalled their father’s memories, remembered their own vacations on the river, and visited campus this spring to tour the renovation project with school officials and architect Joseph Dye Lahendro. “We are touched by the meaning that this very generous gift has for the Chinn family, encouraged to have such engaged partners who share our commitment to historic preservation and deeply appreciate their support,” said Head of School Margaret R. Broad. “It brings us so much closer to our goal of making Brockenbrough House an educational and cultural resource for both St. Margaret’s and the community.” An expert crew from Henderson, Inc. General Contractors of Williamsburg is expected to begin work this fall so that the structure’s wooden framework can be fully reinforced by winter. Previous donations from individuals, Southside Bank, the Roller-Bottimore Foundation, the Marietta McNeil Morgan and Samuel Tate Morgan, Jr. Foundation, and the Northern Neck Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities made it possible to stabilize the building and waterproof its foundations. Funding from the Taylor Foundation underwrote a comprehensive condition study by architect Lahendro that guides renovation efforts. Total renovation costs currently are estimated at $800,000. An advisory committee of preservationists, alumnae and friends of the school oversees the project. Members include Tappahannock residents Robin Gorham and George Jennings; the APVA’s Gordon Lohr; alumnae Charlotte Frischkorn, Julia Henley and Ellen LeCompte, all of Richmond; and alumna Monecia Taylor of Fredericksburg. A Warsaw native, the late Dr. Chinn was the grandson of Gabriella Brockenbrough and the great-grandson of Dr. Austin Brockenbrough. Gabriella; her brother Austin, an officer who died at the battle of Gettysburg; and Dr. Austin Brockenbrough are buried in the cemetery behind the Essex County Museum. Dr. Chinn earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Virginia. Although his successful medical career took him elsewhere, he never lost his ties to the area, returning many times to share his family’s heritage with his children. |
 |