Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
Office of the Governor, Governor Timothy M. Kaine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 02, 2006
Contact:
Historic State Park Building Renovated and Renamed for Tayloe and Helen Murphy
Westmoreland facility to honor years of conservation work
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced thata historic building at Westmoreland State Park will be renovated and renamedTayloe and Helen Murphy Hall in honor of former Delegate and Virginia Secretaryof Natural Resources W. Tayloe Murphy Jr. and his wife. The building, whichonce served as the Park’s restaurant, is being renovated by the VirginiaDepartment of Conservation and Recreation to serve as a site for meetings,special events and environmental education.
“This is a meaningful way to show our appreciation to Tayloe and HelenMurphy for years of service to the people and natural resources of Virginia,” said Governor Kaine. “Developing this facility in Westmoreland County,overlooking the Potomac River, is a tangible recognition of what this formidableteam has accomplished for the Commonwealth.”
The park restaurant was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in themid-1930s when Westmoreland became one of six original state parks to opento the public on June 15, 1936. The building’s interior features exposedbeams, a large brick fireplace, and wrought iron hardware forged by a blacksmithon site. The renovations, scheduled to be completed this year, are fundedby DCR’s state park revenues fund, comprised of funds from park sales,charitable donations and other revenue sources.
“It is appropriate that we recognize Tayloe and Helen during the seventiethanniversary of the Virginia State Park system,” said Joseph Maroon,director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. “Combined,they have made immeasurable strides in helping Virginia protect both hernatural and historic resources.”
Governor Mark R. Warner appointed Murphy as Virginia Secretary of NaturalResources in 2002. Since then, the Commonwealth has acquired three new stateparks, 12 new natural area preserves and has added acreage to numerous otherparks and preserves; completed and begun implementation of extensive strategiesto clean up the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s tributaries; developedstringent new water quality standards statewide; and made the largest financialinvestment in restoring Virginia’s water quality in the state’shistory.
Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Murphy served in the Virginia Houseof Delegates from 1982 to 2000, ultimately serving as Chairman of the ChesapeakeBay Commission. He was also chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit and ReviewCommission during a two-year JLARC review of the Virginia Department of EnvironmentalQuality.
“Throughout his tenure in the General Assembly, Delegate Murphy wasnoted for his commitment to environmental conservation and stewardship andprotection of Virginia's natural resources,” said Virginia NaturalResources Secretary Preston Bryant. “Tayloe was an instrumental leaderbehind the Assembly's passage of both the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Actand the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Act.”
Helen Murphy has also been active in protecting Virginia’s naturaland historical resources. She presently serves on the Virginia Historic ResourcesBoard and is a past member of the Virginia Board of Conservation and Recreation.She also served on the Caledon Natural Area Task Force and on master planadvisory committees for Caledon and Westmoreland State Park. Long activein the Garden Clubs of Virginia, in 2002, both Murphys were awarded the MassieMedal for Distinguished Achievement, the GCV’s oldest and most prestigiousaward for their work with The Garden Club of Northern Neck.
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