Friends of 

Chippokes Plantation

State Park

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Our Mission --    "Here To Serve" 

The mission of the Friends of Chippokes Plantation State Park is to identify and promote activities to enhance the cultural and natural resources of Chippokes Plantation State Park.

In furtherance of our mission, the Friends of Chippokes shall actively encourage donations and fund-raising to support the Park.

Our Activities and Programs

The knowledgeable and friendly  volunteer staff at Chippokes love our park and are committed to giving all our guests a memorable and outstanding outdoor experience, rich in natural beauty and cultural history. 

The Friends of Chippokes develop, staff, and finance a number of programs and activities for our guests all year 'round. 

The Friends of Chippokes (FOC) operate the Gift Shop located in the Packard garage (c. 1837). Money raised in the Gift Shop and other activities is used to enrich the Chippokes experience for our guests.  For example, the Friends provided the funds to purchase the TVs and DVD players in the guest cabins.

Beginning in 2009 the Friends will support the Park staff with the campfire programs, Junior Rangers , and outreach to Surry Elementary School children.

Friends also become "ghosts" from Chippokes' past at certain times during the year.

To see current and future Park activities, take a look at our Chippokes calendar and the DCR Calendar.

Some of the FOC's Accomplishments

  • Acted as catalyst in establishing an equestrian area and horse trails at Chippokes
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  • Purchased for the Park:

             TVs and DVD players for the guest cabins;

             Radios for law enforcement vehicles;

             Microwave oven for the Mansion kitchen;

             Refrigerator for the Mansion kitchen,

             Mansion porch furniture,

             Outdoor benches,

            Two golf carts,

            Wood splitter,

             Artificial Christmas tree for Mansion,

             Storage shed for camp host site.

  • Published and sells a recipe book, “Eating and Drinking Like a Virginia Planter”

cookbook.jpg (33932 bytes)
  • Co-funded, with the Chippokes Farm & Forestry Museum, the production of the park’s orientation DVD, "A Jewel On The James" 

          You can view the video by clicking HERE.

  • Makes and sells Christmas decorations in Gift Shop
  • And much more.
    •

The recipe book, Christmas ornaments, and the DVD are for sale in the Gift Shop. 

The latest fundraisers are custom-made Chippokes ornaments that are also for sale in the Gift Shop.

FOC raises money to fund specific park needs and programs, mainly through donations, Gift Shop, and firewood sales. 

Helping The Friends

If you are willing to help, the Friends are willing to let you.  Heck, they even provide any training that might be necessary!

A few of the many Volunteer opportunities that abound at Chippokes:   

You might have special skills or talents that will allow us to expand our programs.  TALK TO US!

For general information on volunteering, contact the Park Volunteer Coordinator, at 757-294-3625. 

Membership

You do not have to be a member of the Friends of Chippokes in order to be a volunteer.  However, by becoming a member of FOC, you will be better informed and will become an integral part of Park operations.  So, if you want to join, you are quite welcome!   

Annual dues are $15 individual; $25 family, and are renewed at the end of January. 

To join, submit your name, address, phone, e-mail, and check payable to “Friends of Chippokes,” to:  Friends of Chippokes Plantation State Park, 695 Chippokes Park Road , Surry , VA   23883.

Friends of Chippokes was incorporated in 1999 by a group of dedicated volunteers to carry out Our Mission. 

FOC is a 50lc(3) non-profit organization.  Donations are tax deductible and gratefully received. 

For more information e-mail us at president@chippokes.com.

Meetings

Regularly scheduled meetings are the second Saturday in the month, at 10:00AM, in the Jones-Stewart Mansion conference room.  Prospective members are encouraged to come to a meeting and get acquainted.   

Organization

Officers include:  President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three directors.  All are elected to serve two-year terms, and can be reelected.

Officers  (Click on title to send e-mail.)

President -- Dee Vandenbrink

Vice-President -- Barbara Lindley

Secretary -- Barbara Lindley (acting)

Treasurer -- Leah Duncan

Related Links

Farm and Forestry Foundation

Peanut Pork and Pine Festival

Send mail to webmaster@chippokes.com with questions or comments about this web site.

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Last modified: May 15, 2010