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Join the modern preservation movement and help restore one of Virginia’s most historic gas stations, giving it a new – and greener – life as a center for preservation on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. The 1930 Edge Hill Service Station is an original Texaco design that, thanks to volunteers like you, will continue to play an important role in the Gloucester community.
Since you’ll be just 40 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg, why not extend your stay through the Labor Day weekend and explore more of the region’s history. You can even join an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Colonial Williamsburg on Saturday arranged just for AiP volunteers.
You’ll spend most of your time putting some of the finishing touches on the Edge Hill Station, specifically plastering the interior and exterior of the one-story building. Since this is a historic building, you’ll be using a combination of traditional lime plaster and cement to match the original and avoiding waterproof sealants – our ace project leaders will teach you how and why when you get there. We’ll also take time to to determine how the building can be updated for contemporary use but remain true to its history. Your close encounter with the building, and any real world experience you may bring with you, will perfectly position you to help with this task.
By pitching in to plaster with AiP, you will:
- Bring the non-profit Fairfield Foundation one step closer to opening their preservation resource center
- Support heritage tourism in Gloucester and, in turn, help maintain its distinctive character
- Help save an icon of America's early love affair with the automobile
- Demonstrate the benefits of adaptive re-use of historic buildings to local property owners.
Spend a week with AiP and the Fairfield Foundation and:
- Find out if the goggles and work gloves look works for you as you learn to prepare and apply lime plaster
- Share your passion for vintage roadside architecture
- Explore America’s history from the era of the horse-drawn carriage to the era of the horseless carriage
- Leave your mark on history (last year’s participants all initialed the putty they placed…plaster presents all kinds of opportunities to do so!)
With our project just up the road from Williamsburg and Jamestown, you can also spend the weekend immersed in the Colonial era.
Volunteers from out-of-town will stay at the Hampton Inn about two minutes from the Edge Hill Service Station. If you would prefer to upgrade to one of several historic B&B's in Gloucester, contact us.
Lunches will be provided at restaurants near the site and feature a variety of cuisines through the week. Dinners are at your own expense, but we often go as a group.
AiP field trips broaden your preservation experience, adding to the adventure and giving you a greater understanding and appreciation for the region’s history. This project’s field trips include a walking tour of the Gloucester Courthouse Circle and the Downtown Historic District and an afternoon-evening trip to the Fairfield Plantation Archaeological Site, Werowocomoco (home of Pocahontas), and the Rosewell Ruins, where Thomas Jefferson was a frequent visitor.
Saturday, September 1, you can join a behind-the-scenes tour of Williamsburg. The tour will mark the end of your AiP project, but you may choose to make arrangements to further explore Williamsburg on your own.
The fee for one week is US $1,200 and covers:
- Double occupancy lodging
- Breakfasts and lunches
- Field trips
- Insurance
- Workshop training and materials.
Camping is available near the work site; several host families are available on a first come first serve basis for those needing to minimize costs. A special Resident Rate of US$300 is available for Fairfield Foundation members and residents of Gloucester County.
If you are arriving by air, the closest airport is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (30 minute drive). Less expensive, yet relatively close alternatives include Norfolk International and Richmond International (both are 90 minute drives). Rental cars are available at each destination. If you prefer not to rent a car, pick up from the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport can be arranged.
If you would like assistance with travel
arrangements, contact Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters, AiP’s partnering travel agency.
Sunday
Arrive at Hampton Inn in Gloucester. Arrange for airport pickup if needed. Casual gathering at Edge Hill Station early evening.
Monday
Meet at the Edge Hill Station for a morning walking tour of Downtown Historic District, followed by lunch. Afternoon includes project introduction and hands-on work. Dinner on own or as a group.
Tuesday through Friday
Plastering and other preservation work on site from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch provided near the site.
One afternoon-evening field trip.
Dinner on own or as a group.
Saturday
Morning fieldtrip behind-the-scenes at Williamsburg.
If you have additional questions or would like to discuss this project with AiP staff, please contact us at trips@adventuresinpreservation.org or call +1 303-444-0128.
