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Morgans to host PVAS fund-raiser

By Staff | May 14, 2010

Ripon Lodge

Rusty and Cricket Morgan will host a fundraising reception for the Potomac Valley Audubon Society at their home, historic Ripon Lodge in southern Jefferson County, the evening of Saturday, June 5.

The reception will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. If weather permits it will be held mostly outside, on the lawn.

Food and beverages will be served, and musical entertainment will provide background.

Dress will be casual.

The event is open to PVAS members and friends, and all proceeds will be used to support the Society’s education programs for children.

Tickets to the event will be required, and space will be limited.

Basic tickets are $45 per person. Those who pay $150 for two people will be recognized as Donors, those who pay $200 for two will be recognized as Patrons, and those who pay $250 or more for two will be recognized as Supporters.

Ticket costs will be fully tax deductible.

To reserve tickets, please call 304-676-3397 or e-mail pvasmail@aol.com and provide your name, address, phone number and number of tickets desired.

The Morgans are one of Jefferson County’s oldest families and Ripon Lodge is a significant County architectural landmark.

The house was built in the 1830s by William F. Turner, who served in the Virginia House of Delegates in the 1840s.

The property remained in the Turner family until 1916, when it passed to L.M. Long, a prominent County resident.

The Morgans are only the third family to own the property, having purchased it from the Long family in the early 1970s.

Rusty and Cricket maintain it as a working farm.

The house is built of stone in an uncommon T-shape and includes eight rooms that are twenty feet square; nine fireplaces; and an elegant, half-spiral curved staircase in the center hall.

Situated at the crest of a low hill it commands a panoramic view of rolling pastures and the Blue Ridge.

The nearby town of Rippon was named after the house; tradition has it that the name of the town was given an extra “p” to avoid confusion with Ripon, Wisconsin.

The house and its grounds were designated a Jefferson County Historic Landmark in 1977 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization. It is a United Way of the Eastern Panhandle partner agency and a member of the Combined Federal Campaign.