|
The Dan
River Basin Association (DRBA) was awarded funds from The Harvest
Foundation to
 develop
the
Gravely Nature Preserve in southern Henry County between
Martinsville and Ridgeway, Virginia. The 75-acre Preserve is
a major part of the Smith River Trails system which
includes multiuse trails, riverside parks, and boating
access points at intervals along the entire river through
Henry County and into North Carolina, where the Smith
converges with the Dan River. Harvest Foundation funds
supported the design and construction of nature trails and a
trailhead, including the necessary park facilities, as well
as the publication of a brochure about the natural and
cultural features of the preserve.
Natural Features
The Gravely Nature Preserve is completely forested,
primarily with mature hardwoods, and the north facing slopes
are covered with mature stands of rhododendron and laurel.
The key topographic feature is a steep hogback ridge that
rises about 200 feet above the river. The property also
contains the Burgess family
cemetery,
two century-old tobacco barns, and remnants of old logging
roads that can be used for trail development. Elevation
varies from 600 feet at the water’s edge to nearly 800 feet.
A
Brief History
 The parcel was acquired in 1981 by Richard P. Gravely, a
local businessman,
naturalist, and amateur archaeologist,
whose will stipulated that it be maintained and preserved as
“a wildlife habitat and nature conservancy.” Richard, known
by his family as Dick, spent
many days hiking the property,
photographing plants, and creating trails. His widow credits
the property with significantly the length of his life. The
physical exercise and enjoyment gained from walking through
the property helped improve his heart condition.
Discover More about Richard Gravely's hobbies:
After his
death, the Gravely family gave the property to the Virginia
Museum of  Natural History Foundation but reserved the right
to restrict its use according to the provisions of his will.
Accordingly, conservation easements held by the Virginia
Outdoors Foundation since 1993 restricts and limits the property’s use
to nature study and limit construction to a 3.6-acre section
adjacent to the intersection with Old Mill Road.
Henry
County purchased the property from the Virginia Museum of
Natural History Foundation in July 2006 with the
understanding that the DRBA would
help develop the property as a nature preserve open to the
public for recreational and educational purposes. Henry
County has further agreed to support the Gravely Nature
Preserve through long-term maintenance of the preserve.
Preserve Facilities and Activities
The
public preserve is opened in the spring of 2008. It
features a two-mile interpretive trail which highlights
interesting natural and historic features of the land, an
outdoor classroom, restroom facilities, and parking that can
accommodate school buses.
Eleven
interpretive stops along the trail will enable visitors to
learn about the history of the Burgess plantation of the 1800s, tobacco
farming in the early 1900s, and ecology of the Smith River
valley.
(Click
here to learn more about the plantation of John Henry
Burgess.)
In the fall
of 2008 a cemetery was discovered near the Gravely Nature
Preserve that was th final resting place for "Uncle" John
Burgess, a former house servant of the
 Burgess Plantation. DRBA
worked with family members and youth from Boy Scout Troop 61
to clean up the cemetery, document the graves and install
grave markers to remember the eighteen individuals laid to
rest there. The plot is now recognized by the Virginia
Department of Historic Resources. A cemetery marker was
generously donated by
Norris Funeral Services and Crematory of Martinsville.
(View a
map of the Burgess family cemetery.)
Guided Programs
To help
bring together the communities of Martinsville and Henry
County, local organizations and clubs are invited to host
educational public events at the Richard P. Gravely Nature
Preserve. Not only will this provide a fun outing for your
group, it can be a exciting way to draw new members to your
club or organization.
To schedule
an outing for your club/organization or for more
information, contact:
 Jennifer
Doss
Rivers & Trails Project Manager
Dan River Basin Association
276-634-2545
jdoss@danriver.org |
