Last updated: June 24, 2021
Place
The Rockefeller Barn
NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA 22443
Designation:
National Monument
Amenities
2 listed
Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Industrialist and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was a major benefactor in the creation of George Washington Birthplace National Monument. He purchased 275 acres and held the land in trust until the Wakefield National Memorial Association completed their building vision of the Popes Creek Plantation where George Washington was born. Rockefeller’s philanthropy at the birthplace did not stop once the land was turned over to the National Park Service in 1932.
In May 1937, Rockefeller offered to donate three of his retired carriage horses – one Morgan stallion, Gipsey King, and two mares, Minerva and Nunda. Superintendent Philip Hough agreed, with the hopes of breeding the Morgan stallion to produce saddle mounts for mounted rangers at other parks within the National Park Service. After discussing the idea with the NPS, Hough secured a promise that a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp, already working at nearby Westmoreland State Park, would construct a horse barn, paddock, and fencing, if the horses were donated.
By July of the same year, Rockefeller had sent the horses on their way to the park, before the barn had even been built. Concerns had risen during the months before the horses arrived about disturbing archeological resources where the barn was to be built. This concern had delayed the planning and building of the barn. But with the horses en route, the NPS proceeded with plans to build the horse barn in the historic area core.
Construction of the horse barn continued throughout the winter of 1937 and by February 1938, the project had been completed.
Hough’s plan to breed the horses appears to have met with some success in the early years as three colts, Wakefield Duke, Black Baron, and Gipsey Chief, sired by the stallion, Gipsey King, were sent to Yellowstone a few years later.
As the country struggled economically due to World War II, the park’s care and maintenance of the Rockefeller horses were no longer a priority and the plan of breeding the Morgan horses ended.
In May 1937, Rockefeller offered to donate three of his retired carriage horses – one Morgan stallion, Gipsey King, and two mares, Minerva and Nunda. Superintendent Philip Hough agreed, with the hopes of breeding the Morgan stallion to produce saddle mounts for mounted rangers at other parks within the National Park Service. After discussing the idea with the NPS, Hough secured a promise that a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp, already working at nearby Westmoreland State Park, would construct a horse barn, paddock, and fencing, if the horses were donated.
By July of the same year, Rockefeller had sent the horses on their way to the park, before the barn had even been built. Concerns had risen during the months before the horses arrived about disturbing archeological resources where the barn was to be built. This concern had delayed the planning and building of the barn. But with the horses en route, the NPS proceeded with plans to build the horse barn in the historic area core.
Construction of the horse barn continued throughout the winter of 1937 and by February 1938, the project had been completed.
Hough’s plan to breed the horses appears to have met with some success in the early years as three colts, Wakefield Duke, Black Baron, and Gipsey Chief, sired by the stallion, Gipsey King, were sent to Yellowstone a few years later.
As the country struggled economically due to World War II, the park’s care and maintenance of the Rockefeller horses were no longer a priority and the plan of breeding the Morgan horses ended.