Update on the Beebe Ranch

From the October, 2023 newsletter of the Museum of Chincoteague Island. Good news!

UPDATE ON THE BEEBE RANCH

So much has happened since June 30th when the Museum of Chincoteague Island was able to purchase the Beebe Ranch thanks to the support of thousands of people from around the country. We are still amazed at everyone’s generosity.    Let’s get up to date.    The Beebe Ranch Committee was formed. We are a collection of Museum volunteers, board members, staff, and pony and history enthusiasts eager to preserve the Misty story and the Beebe Ranch property. We have had several meetings planning for what is to come.    Work is beginning next month to complete a few repairs on the house and then add an entrance (including a ramp) that will accommodate a wheelchair. Then the fun begins! We have a few ideas of what the exhibits could include, but we would love to hear your thoughts. What do you think needs to be included? History of the Beebe family? How about a story of Marguerite Henry’s life? The events that led to the writing of ” Stormy, Misty’s Foal”?    We will be looking at your ideas and spending this winter and next spring creating a space that we hope you will be excited to see!    In addition, work is being started on the pasture to clear away overgrowth and nurture the pastures back to health!    This work has mostly been done by volunteers including Billy Beebe. Billy and his team have been hard at work over the last few months preparing the property for more difficult projects over the winter. Thank you, Billy, Pat and Mike!    During the winter months, heavy foliage and fallen trees will be removed to clear the way for new grass growth, leaving all the standing trees intact. We have a professional crew coming in to work on this.    If all goes as planned, we will be ready to open next summer.  We hope that you are all looking forward to visiting (or revisiting) the Beebe Ranch. We can not wait to share it with you.

Saving the Beebe Ranch

Recently I received a message from John Giusti, one of the board members of The Misty of Chincoteague Foundation. He'd been sent the press release below and passed it on to those of us on the board alerting us to the fact that a developer wanted to buy the Beebe ranch and develop it into housing units. 

John asked that our board meet and consider helping The Museum of Chincoteague Island (which is not connected to The Misty of Chincoteague Foundation) save and preserve the Beebes' former home and the place where Misty lived.

We have that meeting scheduled and will be discussing doing what we can to help. $625,000 is needed to do so. 

If you'd like to help, here is a news brief from Liz Cory, president of The Misty of Chincoteague Foundation:

How many of you remember the Misty of Chincoteague books? Marguerite Henry wrote a wonderful collection of children's stories, and today, the site of her most famous book is under threat of being redeveloped and turned into housing units. A Chincoteague museum is trying to save the Beebe Ranch, and they need our help. If you can, please help preserve Misty's legacy by making a gift to the local museum so they can save the property. The press release is here: https://mailchi.mp/c1663e03070d/press-release-museum-of-chincoteague-island-sets-goal-to-save-the-beebe-ranch?e=856d73180d

Thank you!

And here is the longer, official press release from The Misty of Chincoteague Museum:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Museum of Chincoteague Island Sets Goal to Save the Beebe Ranch Your Help is Needed to Preserve, Collect and Protect This Important Piece of Chincoteague Island History Chincoteague Island, VA - February 24, 2023: Chincoteague is fortunate to have visitors come from around the world to enjoy the untampered seashore, amazing wildlife, and quaint historical downtown. Many of those visitors also come because of “Misty of Chincoteague” a book published in 1947 by Marguerite Henry that inspired millions. “Misty of Chincoteague” tells the against the odds story of siblings Paul and Maureen Beebe. Two children that lived on the farm with their grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Beebe. The charming story centers on the children’s desire to buy the wild pony of their dreams and the challenges they faced to make that dream a reality. It is a heartwarming tale that made the Beebe family, Misty, and the Beebe Ranch a beloved part of the literary world. After 100 years, the Beebe family need to move on and sell the famous Beebe Ranch. What faces our community now are two choices; sell the property or save the property! The mission of the Museum of Chincoteague Island is to preserve, collect and protect the history of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. It is with this mission in mind, that we would like to ask the public to join us to save the Beebe Ranch. If we can raise the funds in what can only be called a colossal, grassroots effort, we can preserve the ranch for future generations, keep a treasured part of Chincoteague intact and support the mission of the museum to protect our history, making the Beebe Ranch officially an extension of the museum. We have been given one month to make this happen. This cannot be done without you! We are asking you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Museum of Chincoteague (noting that your donation is to help “Save the Beebe Ranch”). Our goal is $625,000. If we are not successful in raising our goal, the donor will be able to decide if they would like their donation returned. Whether you are able to donate a little or a larger sum, share on social media, or tell a friend, every action can help make this dream a reality. Donations can be made through the Museum of Chincoteague Island website or by mailing a check to PO Box 352 Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336. For further information, please feel free to call the museum directly at 757-336-6117. Museum of Chincoteague Island Physical: 7125 Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336 Mailing: PO Box 352 Chincoteague Island, VA 23336 www.ChincoteagueMuseum.com #### About Museum of Chincoteague Island  The mission of the Museum of Chincoteague is to collect and preserve the material culture that reflects the historical progression of the life on Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. We display and interpret those objects to enhance the understanding of various experiences and events from the Town’s past by preserving objects of significance, along with proper documenting of their history and acquisition, for the use of future generations in understanding the history of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Media Contact: Name: Cindy Faith Title: Executive Director Phone: 757-336-66117 Email address: museumofci@gmail.com -------------------------------------------------------- If you are able to help, thank you. Can't help financially at this time but still interested in preserving the Beebe ranch? Spread the word! Thank you.