150th “recent unpleasentness” commeroration this weekend at Black Walnut Farm

This weekend, 150 years after the fact, we have an opportunity to pay our respects to those who honored our country with great sacrifice at the home of one of Virginia’s GOP legends: the late Tucker Watkins.

This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Staunton Bridge, in which Black Walnut Farm, Tucker’s home, featured prominently.

If Tucker were here, I’m sure I’d already be on the road toward the 5th District for a bit of western Virginia cordial.

Alas, he’s not…but everyone, especially those of you nearby, should take the time to visit the farm at least one more time.

Black Walnut is a few miles from the state park. The farm was occupied by Confederate troops during war – and Union after.

The address for Black Walnut is 2091 Black Walnut Road, Randolph VA.

Directions: Off 360 – take exit 92. Follow thru DC (downtown Clover….as Tucker used to say.) Make left on Black Walnut Road after Clover General Store (will be on left) and follow for approx 2.5 miles. BW will be on right. There will be signage.

If you’ve never heard of the battle, take a second to read about it (Article by Watkins’ relative Tom McLaughlin appears in both the Mecklenburg Sun and Halifax County News & Record).

And, for those of us not fortunate enough to visit the farm, John Thrift, Tucker’s nephew, has provided a few snapshots: