With attention focused on agrarian life in these days of crisis for the American family farm, why not plan a timely visit to Meadow Farm Museum?  In 1975 this 19th-century farmhouse, along with 150 acres of pasture and woodland, was given to Henrico County by Elizabeth Adam Crump in memory of her husband, the late Adjutant General of Virginia, Sheppard Crump.

Reminders of man's interaction with this land date from prehistoric time when Native Americans camped along North Run Creek.  It was acquired by the Sheppard family in 1713.  The farmhouse you'll visit was built almost a century later in 1810 by Mosby Sheppard.  Earlier in 1800 Mosby had uncovered the details of a planned slave uprising, Gabriel's Insurrection.  The idea of a slave revolt terrorized southern slave owners, and encouraged men like John Brown whose 1859 Harpers Ferry raid was an attempt to get munitions to help slave seize their freedom.

According to Sheppard family stories, Meadow Farm had its own brush with history one memorable day in 1864.  Major General George Custer, with some of his Union cavalry, raided Meadow Farm before continuing on to Yellow Tavern five miles away, where a confrontation occurred that cost J.E.B. Stuart his life.

Your visit to Meadow Farm begins with a video in the orientation center introducing you to the Sheppard family during the year 1860.  The center also features a series of exhibits which expand on the topics of rural southern life.  About 80 percent of the furnishings now in the farmhouse belonged to the Sheppards.  The dining room, hallway and one upstairs bedroom were built in 1810.  In 1820, as the family grew, a downstairs master bedroom and additional upstairs bedroom were added.   By 1858, a third two-story section was constructed that gave the family the luxury of a formal parlor and added two bedrooms.

The Sheppards' ten children slept upstairs as did the governess and tutor, a “teacher of English.” During the prewar years the family had 17 slaves.  It's hard to imagine that many people being supported by such a modest farm.  John Mosby Sheppard was able to afford his sizeable household because he also had a thriving medical practice.  His office at Meadow Farm is typical of a mid-19th-century doctor’s office.

An 1840 out-building similar to the one used by Dr. Sheppard stands on the site of his old office.  Dr. Sheppard's diploma from the University of Pennsylvania Medical College hangs on the wall.  The shelves and tables are cluttered with old medicine jars and bandages.  Dr. Sheppard mixed many of his own medicines, but did purchase, from an apothecary, quinine for fevers and laudanum to kill pain.  He normally charged his neighbors two dollars for an office visit and four dollars if he had to go out at night.  Delivering a baby cost ten dollars.  Except during the Civil War, his fees remained substantially the same during his 37-year practice.

After touring Meadow Farm Museum, there is a nature trail to explore.  North Run Trail traces the evolution of an old farm field into a forest where you may spy a red-winged hawk.  At the farm pond, you may see nesting water birds or turtles basking in the sun.

There are also picnic and playground areas at Crump Park and special events scheduled throughout the year.  They include the Memorial Day Civil War Battle and Encampment in May, an Old-Fashioned Fourth, September Civil War Day, the Harvest Festival in October and a Yuletide Fest.  There is an admission to the museum, but admission to the park is free.

Meadow Farm Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 P.M. from the first Saturday in March until the second Sunday in December and on weekends from mid-January through New Page 3 February. Crump Park is open daily from dawn to dusk year-round.

Directions.  From I-95 just before Richmond take I-295 west toward Charlottesville to Woodman Road South Exit.  Follow Woodman Road to Mountain Road and turn right. Continue two miles to Park on your right.