By Page H. Gifford
VA250 Mobile Museum coming to county fair
Virginia’s role in the nation’s founding will be on display at this year’s Fluvanna County Fair when the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience visits Pleasant Grove Park.
The traveling exhibit, titled “Out of Many, One,” is housed in a expandable tractor-trailer – 90 feet long and 35 feet wide when fully expanded – and is making stops across Virginia and beyond as part of the statewide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
The museum highlights Virginia’s role in the Revolution, telling the stories of well-known figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, as well as Indigenous Virginians and enslaved and free African Americans whose lives and labor shaped the era.
The hands-on exhibit uses interactive displays and storytelling to introduce visitors to the people, events and ideas that helped shape the nation. The museum is scheduled to be at the fair from Aug. 13-15.
Fluvanna job fair draws strong turnout
More than 100 job seekers attended the Fluvanna Job Fair on June 4 at the Fluvanna County Library, according to Fluvanna Economic Development.
Hosted by Fluvanna Economic Development in partnership with Virginia Career Works, the event brought together more than 20 employers representing health care, construction, food service, local government, skilled trades and other fields.
Employers spoke with candidates, shared information about open positions and, in some cases, conducted on-site interviews. Several businesses reported meeting strong applicants and making useful connections with potential employees.
Economic development officials said the response from employers and attendees showed the value of connecting local businesses with residents looking for work. Based on the turnout, officials said the job fair will become an annual event.
For more information about workforce development programs and business resources, email econdev@fluvannacounty.org.
Business spotlight: The Artful Lodger
The Artful Lodger is now open at 2428 Richmond Road in Troy, along Route 250 east of Charlottesville.
Owners Caroline and Christopher Minsky found the property, formerly home to Cosner Brothers Auto Parts, in 2023 and saw a chance to expand their furniture and interior design business in the greater Charlottesville area. The building has been renovated into a larger showroom with more space for furnishings, accessories and design services, as well as an attached warehouse.
After two years of renovation, the large blue building now gives customers more room to browse the store’s curated selection of furniture, rugs, lamps, pillows, art and other home accessories. The store focuses on high-end pieces with a contemporary, comfortable and relaxed style.
The Artful Lodger also offers design services to help customers complete rooms or larger home projects.
For more information, visit lodgerva.com.
Hidden Springs Family Farm
Hidden Springs Family Farm began as a dream for Barbara and Dewey Haines, retired Army veterans who moved from Manassas in 2021 to grow and raise their own food.
The couple wanted to build a life centered on self-sufficiency, sustainable farming and careful stewardship of the land. When they first found the property, they were drawn to its rolling fields and quiet setting. At the time, there was no house on the land, and the fields were leased to a local cattle farmer.
In 2023, the Fluvanna Review interviewed the Haineses about building the farm from the ground up. They talked about their commitment to chemical-free practices and the hard work of developing a farm naturally. Their reward, they said, was healthy food for their family and the chance to share it with the community.
Today, Hidden Springs Family Farm is home to laying hens, broiler chickens, sheep, rabbits, honeybees and a high tunnel that extends the growing season. The farm produces eggs, meat, vegetables, honey and other products.
The farm operates a farm stand, and the Haineses also sell at the Fluvanna Farmers Market outside Fluvanna Ace Hardware on Sundays during market season. Follow Hidden Springs Family Farm on Facebook for product updates and market schedules.
