Farm Bureau, George Washington Regional Commission receive award for Meadow historic designation

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with the George Washington Regional Commission, recently received a 2015 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation.

The award recognizes the groups for the successful nomination of Secretariat’s birthplace in Caroline County to the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

The NADO Innovation Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and partnering organizations for improving the economic and community competitiveness of the nation’s regions and local communities.

Farm Bureau and the George Washington Regional Commission worked together for more than a year on the nomination project. The final product was the nomination for The Meadow Historic District, which consists primarily of the original barns where Secretariat was born, raised and first trained.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources placed The Meadow Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register on March 19. On May 26 the National Park Service placed the property on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We could not have completed this project without the generous assistance of the George Washington Regional Planning Commission,” said Leeanne Ladin, Secretariat tourism manager at The Meadow Event Park. “We are delighted to see our collaboration recognized with this national award.”

The Meadow was purchased in 1936 by Christopher Tompkins Chenery, who established Thoroughbred bloodlines that would produce the legendary 1973 Triple Crown champion Secretariat. Meadow Stable also produced Riva Ridge, winner of the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes; Hill Prince, 1950 Horse of the Year; Cicada, top money-winning mare in the 1960s; and many other outstanding racehorses. Farm Bureau became full owner of the property in 2013. It is home to the State Fair of Virginia, theVirginia Horse Festival and Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village and hosts regional horse shows, trade shows, weddings and a year-round Secretariat tourism program.