04/08/2023
Please see note from Museum of Chincoteague about efforts to save the Beebe ranch - contribute if you can!
❤️Misty ❤️Chincoteague
Good Morning Friends,
What a whirlwind of a month we have had at the museum. There has been an outpouring of interest in upcoming events, exhibits and of course, the fundraiser to “ Save the Beebe Ranch”
It’s time for a new update!
For those that are hearing about this for the first time, let’s explain what is going on.
The book Misty of Chincoteague, written by Marguerite Henry in 1946, tells a tale about a young foal on Chincoteague and the family that owned her. This is the Beebe family. The book and the series of stories that followed became best sellers, and spurred on many a child’s fantasy of ponies and the love of reading. The books are still hugely popular, which is a testament to the talents of the author and the illustrator, Wesley Dennis.
The Beebe Ranch, at one time, was well over 100 acres. Over the years, bits and pieces have been sold off until now, the last 10 acres remain.
The Beebe family, advancing in years, would like to keep it preserved for future generations and have reached out to the Museum of Chincoteague Island to see if it could help.
Saving the Ranch from development is good for the island community, good for the visiting public and good for the museum to support our mission statement. ” To preserve, protect and tell the story of our history”.
A campaign to raise the funds was announced and started on February 24th.
So here we are, six weeks in on a massive campaign to raise the money to buy the ranch. The asking price is 625,000 and as of today, people from Chincoteague and friends from across the country have helped us raise $310,000.
Letters from across the country are coming in. It is heartwarming and humbling to see how many people have been affected by Misty over the years. People are sharing their personal stories of how this book was the first book they ever owned, the story that made them a horse lover, help them through hard times, or became a cherished friend that they carried with them their whole lives. It is stories like this, that inspire us!
We are honored to be a part it!
If you are interesting in making a (tax deductible) donation and are able to do so, links are below. Also, the museum can receive checks at 7125 Maddox Blvd Chincoteague, Va 23336.
https://gofund.me/bd12d625
https://chincoteaguemuseum.com/support-the-museum
