MEADOWS OF DAN, Va. – It’s no secret the Blue Ridge Parkway is in tough shape. The road and its attractions are facing a huge backlog of needed repairs. And perhaps no place needs TLC as much as Mabry Mill near Meadows of Dan – said to be the most photographed place on the Parkway.
Mabry Mill is a must-see location for people traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
“So this is one of the main spots that we wanted to hit up. What do you think of it? So hard, really cool, for sure. Yeah, we like history,” said Jose and Jessie DeLeon, who are riding their motorcycles on the Parkway.
“It’s very scenic. And a chance to learn something about the mill,” said Jen Voss who was visiting from out of state.
Despite the fact Mabry Mill draws more than 100,000 visitors a year, it’s in disrepair.
The roof leaks badly. The pond has turned swampy and the famous restaurant closed when the previous vendor pulled out and no new potential operators stepped forward.
The problem is hurting local communities that depend upon the Mill’s success.
“Well, it’s definitely devastating to see the state of it right now, when it’s the most photographed landmark, along with Blue Ridge Parkway, we have over 16 million people driving the Parkway each year, and when they get there and they see the state of it, it’s kind of disappointing for them and for us,” said Kathleen Legg director of tourism for Floyd County.
The mill property sits on the Floyd-Patrick County line.
Despite the need, Mabry Mill is not listed among the projects in the current funding stream from the Park Service.
A listing provided by the Park Service shows other projects on the 469-mile roadway have priority.
The Blue Ridge Parkway itself has a backlog of work totaling more than $449-million in projects that are referred to as “deferred maintenance.”
The Parkway’s annual budget is $18.4 million – and routine maintenance like mowing the grass, and basic upkeep costs $17-million. It doesn’t leave much money for repairs on the historic buildings throughout the length of the famous ridgetop road.
Carolyn Ward heads the foundation that works with the Park Service to raise private money for Mabry Mill and other Parkway projects.
“And so you could say, is it a lack of money? Is it a lack of resources, a lack of staff? Sure, all of those things factor in, but it’s a much bigger, more complex issue than just the park didn’t care and didn’t invest. It’s not quite that simple,” Ward said.
For example, to be historically correct, the replacement shingles for the roof must be made by hand, after cutting down an actual oak tree. After that, the tree needs to be cut up with tools dating to the 1800s. After a few months, the wood can be turned into shingles using other tools of the same vintage. It’s not easy or quick.
“It’s not like going to Home Depot and buying a pressure-treated piece of wood where many of us are used to,” Ward said.
Ward says because of waning funds the number of skilled artisans who work on historic projects like the mill roof have gradually declined from 12 to two.
“And so it’s not an easy answer. The Park Service has to do it authentically. They have to do it in a way that protects the integrity of the historic structure,” Ward said.
Fortunately, the Parkway Foundation has raised the $65,000 needed for roof repairs, that could happen within the next 12 months.
And there seems to be support from Washington.
“And there’s the very famous Mabry Mill that is going to be restored. I’m a little disappointed it’s not already happened, but we have the funding and it will take place,” said Virginia Senator Mark Warner.
Even if they fix the roof and protect the mill’s inner workings, the pond is still a problem.
And then there’s the restaurant nobody seems to want to operate.
“The future of the concession at that site, I say, I would say is less certain,” said Leesa Brandon, spokesperson for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
At Meadows of Dan, people hope she is wrong.
“We would have, honestly, we would have never opened here if Mabry Mill wasn’t as busy as it was, said Kayla Galecki, owner of a popular coffee shop in Meadows of Dan.
And at the Poor Farmer’s Market, the only thing more abundant than fresh fruit is frustration.
“So it is frustrating. But again, it’s, it’s just trying to have that balance. You know, we want to put pressure on, yes, the squeaky oil or squeaky wheel, get the oil in that regard too,” said James Houchins, director of economic development for Patrick County.
“Well, when I try to talk to the National Park Service, they tell me that the issue is funding and compliance, and it’s kind of like they feel like their hands are tied. I’m not sure. I don’t know if anybody knows exactly what the problem is, but it seems to be like a lot of people are noticing this in many federal government agencies. It seems to be like a pandemic of federal government agencies, they seem to not be able to to accomplish what they’re being paid to accomplish, said Felicia Shelor, owner of the Poor Farmer’s Market in Meadows of Dan.
Ward says she believes the roof work can be completed in 2025.
Brandon says the Park Service will once again ask for proposals to operate the restaurant for 2025. However, there is no way of knowing if there will be any interest.
She said she also believed that the Park Service would be looking at options with the pond, though as of this writing, it was unclear if that meant the historic and environmental studies or work on the pond itself.
If you would like to donate money to help Mabry Mill, the best thing you can do it donate to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Click here to donate,