Supporting Railroad Park

Tom Wulf, founder of WulfTeam Productions and long-time supporter of Downtown Ashland Association, is helping to enhance and promote the town with the advent of a walking museum.

Tom Wulf on location with WulfTeam Productions

Wulf served as a board member, president, and executive director of Downtown Ashland Association in the past. He now leads the volunteer committee working to establish a Railroad Park.

The project plan is to create new exhibits for train and history fans, while highlighting important structures and locations within Downtown Ashland.  Ashland Train Station, the steam train mural, Ashland Museum, and the Red Caboose are among planned attractions in the Park.

“There are so many different train and railroad exhibits here, yet no one has ever thought to group them together,” Wulf explained. “This is our opportunity to expand upon what we already have and make it greater.” Wulf states that Railroad Park would contribute significantly towards the Downtown Ashland economy, and make the town a more popular tourist site.

Video explanation of the project, produced by Tom Wulf

The Railroad Park project will take several phases to complete, so Wulf’s current priority is raising funding. He notes that Mary Morton Parsons Foundation granted $50,000 towards the project, so long as Downtown Ashland Association can raise matching donations by November 30, 2020. This funding will help buy displays and signage for the exhibits of Railroad Park. Wulf further notes that Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has approved Railroad Park for signage on interstate 95, which would be put in place after the project is fully constructed.

“We have secured over $40,000 needed to match the grant,” says Wulf. “The positive impact Railroad Park will have on Downtown Ashland is both economic and personal. These rails have been the roots of Ashland since its founding. It’s time we further embrace that.”

If you wish to donate or learn more about Railroad Park, please visit ashlandvirginia.com/railroad.

Photos by Tom Wulf

Ashland Halloween 2020

Ashland Halloween will take place October 31, 2020 from 5-7pm. Visit AshlandHalloween.com for more information.

Local children are invited to trick-or-treat in neighborhoods throughout the Town of Ashland. Downtown Ashland Association will create a map of Halloween Hosts who welcome socially distant trick-or-treating.

• We invite all Town of Ashland residents to add their address to our map of Halloween Hosts. Please sign-up.

• We encourage all Trick-or-Treaters to use the map for a fun and safe Halloween Night! No sign-up required.

Trick-or-treating in Ashland will be different in 2020 than most years. Crowding is discouraged in popular locations, due to COVID-19. Instead, Trick-or-Treaters are invited to visit the many residential neighborhoods around town. 

Downtown Ashland Association will create a map and place a yard sign in front of each Halloween Host’s location throughout Ashland to help all the aliens, vampires, witches, and superheroes safely enjoy Halloween 2020. Please take a moment to read the guidelines below, before venturing out on the 31st of October.

HALLOWEEN HOSTS

Town of Ashland residents, please sign-up to give out candy.

Hosts are asked to…

• Make candy available to Trick-or-Treaters outdoors.

• Stay six feet apart from Trick-or-Treaters during their visit.

• Give out only commercially pre-packaged candy

TRICK-OR-TREATERS

Visit AshlandHalloween.com for a map of Halloween Hosts throughout the Town.

Kids in costume are asked to…

• Allow each party of Trick-or-Treaters to approach a Host separately.

• Do not knock on any doors.

• Visit only houses participating as Halloween Hosts.

Volunteer Spotlight

Tim McDermott, newly elected president of Downtown Ashland Association brings a lifetime of experience in non-profit leadership.

McDermott has served Downtown Ashland Association for more than 5 years, serving on multiple committees and helping with many events. During his time with Downtown Ashland Association, McDermott has assisted with strategy and providing leadership based on his non-profit experience. He has also helped with fundraising for the Association, so it can do more to help the local community. McDermott is focused on making the organization more efficient and successful at supporting community and building a strong future for Ashland.

McDermott brings more than 30 years of non-profit leadership experience to the Association. In his professional career, he has co-owned a fundraising consulting firm, Littlefield McDermott LLC, and served as a fundraiser for Virginia Wesleyan College, Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School, Duke University, Virginia Tech, and as an economic analyst with Loudoun County.

Currently, McDermott serves as chief campaign officer for Feed More, the backbone organization fighting hunger in Central Virginia. He is responsible for raising over $8.5 million annually to feed the hungry. McDermott also designed and implemented Feed More’s $19.5 million comprehensive campaign with nearly $15 million raised to date.

Downtown Ashland Association is fortunate to have an experienced leader, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. McDermott recognizes the increased importance of the Association’s work during this time. “We are working on raising more philanthropic gifts and grants so that we can help prepare small businesses for what lies ahead,” says McDermott. “Downtown Ashland Association is working tirelessly to ensure the small-town spirit we have come to know and love will stay alive and well. The Association is dedicated to help ensuring Downtown Ashland help fosters a safe, viable community for businesses, residents, and visitors.”

Welcome, Canteen!

Ashland’s New “Eatertainment” Venue

The landmark Ashland Coffee & Tea has been imaginatively reinvented as Canteen by owner Cate Hawks and new partners Jason Alley and Michele Jones. The restaurant boasts great food and fun games, with a deep commitment to the community.

In the center of Downtown Ashland—at Railroad Avenue and Route 54--Canteen is a funky casual eatery that fits the neighborhood vibe. For over 20 years, Ashland Coffee & Tea served the public with food and entertainment. Canteen looks to build upon that foundation and to evolve.

The new restaurant offers an expansive breakfast and lunch menu, while brewing locally roasted coffees, whole leaf teas, and tisanes. Craft beer, wine, and specialty mimosas are also on tap! Outdoor and indoor seating is available, and you will find lawn games and live music to make the dining experience complete.

““We call this concept ‘eatertainment’ because we want to provide customers enjoyable dining AND a fun experience.”
Jason Alley”

Jason Alley and Michele Jones bring a wealth of culinary experience from recent Richmond ventures Comfort, Pasture, Flora, and Bingo. This summer, the partners offered Cate Hawks a proposal to expand the Ashland Coffee & Tea model for modern diners. Hawks agreed, and the idea went into motion very quickly—with less than two weeks for renovation and launch!

The concept of Canteen references the restaurant’s theme and its charity mission. The mid-century decorations in bright colors with an outdoorsy theme recall the old-fashioned fun of summer camp. To make the experience complete, try your hand at cornhole or ring toss, hear a local band, and watch the freight trains as they roll by. Alley explains, “We call this concept ‘eatertainment’ because we want to provide customers enjoyable dining and a fun experience. There is no restaurant quite like this in downtown Ashland. We offer a unique, fun, relaxed environment.”

Cate Hawks and Jason Alley pause for a photo

As Canteen develops a new culinary menu, the team wishes to share the delicacies with everyone. Canteen customers have the option to “pay it forward” and donate a meal for those who can’t afford one. “We strive to do better for our community through an ‘Eat Well, Do Good’ restaurant model,” says Hawks. “We use profits to help children in foster care go to summer camp. We feed people who are hungry, anyone who needs to eat. Our whole team holds the strongest belief in serving this community.”

With local roots, delicious food, & entertaining elements, don’t miss Canteen at 100 N. Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005.

Building a Railroad Park

Ed Trask’s steam train mural side-by-side a modern CSX locomotive

Picture this: a traveler on I-95 passes a highway sign before the Ashland exit that reads, “The Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park”. Whether it is because of genuine curiosity or the squirming children in the back seat, the traveler takes the Ashland exit and makes her way into our town. As it’s envisioned, the Park will be hard to miss because its railroad history exhibits will create a walking tour through Downtown Ashland.

“Once completed, the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park will welcome visitors to stroll through the historic district and enjoy an exciting variety of sights and exhibits,” explains Dan Bartges, a Downtown Ashland Association volunteer who originally proposed the idea of creating the Park.

Video explanation of the project

Exhibits will include a 1923 train station, an authentically restored 1926 red caboose, Hanover County Black Heritage Society exhibit, the Ashland Museum, America’s longest railroad mural, special presentations about major railroad inventions and innovations, and of course the more than 60 mighty freight and passenger trains traveling the East Coast's main rail artery through the heart of downtown.  Special exhibits will include 19th and 20th century advances in locomotive engines, Eli Janney’s knuckle coupler and the revolutionary wheel truck, or “bogie”.

Downtown Ashland, with its quaint and quirky charms, already draws visitors to stroll by the shops and restaurants along the railroad tracks and to cross over between the quaint railroad station and the swathe of green that begins Randolph-Macon College’s campus. The Railroad Park project promises to enhance its setting, to spur economic growth and vitality for the community, and to attract more boutiques, shops and restaurants.

Ashland Train Station

“The important thing about the Railroad Park is that it be community-led,” said Maggie Longest, executive director of Downtown Ashland Association, the local non-profit spearheading the project.  “The Community Stakeholder Committee responsible for development of the Park’s exhibits and content represents individuals from all segments of our town.  The Park will share our local story alongside the legendary saga of America’s railroads, because the two are interlinked.”

“The project’s purpose is two-fold,” explains Tom Wulf, a videographer and tireless Downtown Ashland Association volunteer who has spent many hours helping to develop the project. “First, it's intended to vividly portray the immense social and economic contributions of American railroads, both past and present, through the unique lens of Ashland’s extensive railroad history.  And second, to invite visitors and local residents to more fully enjoy Downtown Ashland, to visit shops and restaurants, and to feel a sense of our unique community.”

The Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park’s eight exhibits will be located within easy walking distance of each other, mostly along Railroad Avenue and England Street. When it opens, the attraction will be managed by the Town of Ashland, free to the public year round and include interactive exhibits and an app to further enhance the tour.

Rendering of a Railroad Park exhibit

Recently, the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park project was offered a $50,000 matching grant from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation to spur construction of the Park. The Foundation will match donations from individuals, organizations and businesses up to $50,000, but only if Ashland raises the matching amount by November 30, 2020.

"In a town with such a unique culture, bringing to life an important piece of our history can create a lasting attraction for everyone,” adds Maggie Longest. “And the key to making the Railroad Park a reality is for our community to match the grant. Donations of any amount are welcome.”

To learn more about Ashland’s efforts to create the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park and how individuals and businesses can help, go to ashlandvirginia.com/railroad.