Friends of Mountain View

Our heads are spinning! There are overwhelming maintenance challenges for significant historic properties in the Roanoke Valley … including the Fishburn Mansion and Mountain View. Board members are devastated by the recent announcement by the city that proposed the loss of $1.5 M in 2027 city capital improvement funds for the mansion, desperately needed for stabilization. This funding was an essential foundation for our continued grant solicitation and raising the additional capital needed to stabilize and restore the public facility. Please take a moment to read the recent news article for more insight and broader issues. And know, too, that Friends of Mountain View are actively working on advocating for and finding solutions for helping the city fund stabilization and repair needs at Mountain View. Your continued interest, assistance, and advocacy is greatly appreciated. Stay tuned! Donations accepted via our webpage - https://friendsofmountainview.org.

https://www.roanokerambler.com/history-takes-a-hit-wrecking-ball-swings-as-advocates-try-to-stave-off-more-demolition/

History Takes a Hit: Wrecking Ball Swings as Advocates Try to Stave Off More Demolition "Preservation shouldn't depend on who shows up at the last minute," said a local advocate.

Wonderful to see increased events at Mountain View!

We are so excited about our latest project, a documentary film on JB Fishburn and Mountain View. Enjoy a sneak peek at some of the filming going on …

We just have to give a huge thank you to members of the New River Valley Historical Costume Society for their help with Wickets & Wine 2025! Two interpretive costumers, Cynthia Livesay and Chelsea Hutter, appeared in period attire to judge our costumes and mingle with guests for pictures. Photos by Dan Smith.

Congratulations to our prize winners at Wickets & Wine 2025! Many thanks to those sponsors and businesses who donated money and prizes. All of us had a great time.

Trivia Prize Winner:
This year's 'Trivia' consisted of questions regarding the mansion and Fishburn family, and the prize for answering the most correctly won a bottle of wine and tickets to the Grandin Theatre.
2025 Trivia prize winner is: Laura Hart

Best Dressed Prize Winners:
This year's 'Best Dressed' prize winners were judged by Living History Interpreters, Cynthia Livesay and Chelsea Hutter, New River Valley Historical Costumers Society.
Best Dressed Female Costume: Brittany Plum
Best Dressed Male Costume: Bill Hackworth

Raffle:
This year's 'Raffle' prize consisted of a picnic basket knapsack complete with plates, utensils, napkins, beverage holders, a blanket and a bottle of wine, along with a gift card of a stay at the Colony House Motor Lodge Boutique Hotel, a gift card at Brood Restaurant in Salem VA, and notecards featuring area historic sites from the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation.
2025 Raffle Prize Winner: Greg Hart