Heritage Farm is Site of Festival Protesting Eminent Domain

By HNN Staff

Slatyfork, WV (HNN) -- The Historic Sharp Farm in Slatyfork will be the site of the First Annual Heritage Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 2006.

This farm is the subject of an eminent domain battle as it is scheduled to be taken for a sewer treatment plant to primarily serve the Snowshoe Ski Resort 14 miles away up on Cheat Mountain, according to festival spokesman Tom Shipley. The Sharp family farm is located on State Route 219 just 5 miles south of Snowshoe and 17 miles north of the city of Marlinton.

"From the late 1700's on, this community has enjoyed a proud West Virginia Heritage. We are excited to have the opportunity to celebrate it," Shipley added.

Among the events scheduled for the day:

• Free hotdogs and lemonade served mid-day
• Dedication of America's newest covered bridge at 1:00 pm
• Storytelling contest
• Home made ice-cream made as you watch
• Blacksmithing / wool spinning / quilting / bee-keeping and much more

The Sharp family's guest West Virginia poet, Bertie Cutlip, will share her poetry. Bring chairs or a blanket and listen to the music.

The Sharps are an eight-generation Pocahontas County family. The Sharp's Country Store was founded by LD Sharp in 1884. The Sharp farm B&B was built in 1915. The log house was built in 1815 by William Sharp III and hosted Robert E. Lee on several occasions as he marched through the valley with his troops in his first campaign as general.