January 1, 2004

On March 11, 2003, the County Board of Supervisors of Prince Edward County formed the 250th Anniversary Commission and appointed a citizen representative from each district to plan and execute a year-long commemoration and celebration. We selected Lacy B. Ward, member of the County Board of Supervisors, to chair this important commission. Since that time, many more citizens have joined the commission and have helped put together an exciting list of activities that will enable all the citizens of our county to enjoy and learn about the history of this county we call home.

Our county has come a long way since the early days of tobacco shipping along the Appomattox River. Today we are proud of Prince Edward's diversified economy, with education, service, and manufacturing broadening our strong and historic agriculture and forestry base. And our community has transformed as well. Coinciding with the county's 250th anniversary celebration, the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education, will be commemorated. We want to look back and remember these past events because they are important times that shaped our society. We also want to celebrate where we are today and look toward the promise of the future. At the end of this year, I feel our anniversary will have been a success if we have gotten to know each other a little better, have learned more about the history of our county, and have enjoyed a wonderful time during these celebratory events.

I would like to thank the people who have already contributed their hard work and many talents to plan these events, and to the many more who will help during the year. I look forward to taking part in these festivities with you. And as our anniversary year comes to a close in December, I hope that we will see this not as an end to a celebration, but as a beginning to a new appreciation and understanding of our county and the people who live and work here.

At this time, I would like to declare that this celebration officially begin. Happy Anniversary to the County of Prince Edward and to all its citizens!

William G. Fore, Jr.
Chairman, Board of Supervisors