Mickey McRae, representing the Caroline County Historical Society, told the Caroline County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 28 that the society wants to work with the county to make the Winchester Mill property — roughly 14 acres — more accessible to visitors and school groups.

McRae said the restored mill and related properties around Preston contain documented Underground Railroad sites, including the Leverton dwelling, and that modest investments — such as moving a fence to permit parking, signage, charging stations and an organized donation program — could increase visitation without altering farmland or infrastructure. “We have the ability there to interpret our county,” McRae said, and suggested a $5–$10 daily donation meter or bus-group donations to create a small trust for repairs and maintenance.

The society described practical needs and existing assets: a parking area west of the mill that could hold a touring bus, a soft kayak launch, picnic tables and artifacts already on hand for interpretation. McRae said the society has materials and prefabricated building components for work on the Medford dwelling and that earlier bond-bill funding will be paid as reimbursements, not up-front. “The windows, all the appointments for that building had already been fabricated. They’re in the building and I’ve got the siding,” McRae said, describing a pay-as-you-go approach while waiting for state reimbursement.

Resident and longtime Preston farmer David Eugene “Jean” Harris, who spoke after McRae, urged restoration of the Winchester Mill pond as a potential recharge and firefighting resource and as a historic landscape feature. Harris said the original pond breach followed a late-winter thaw and heavy rain in 1979 and argued the pond could serve multiple community uses if restored, while acknowledging environmental permits and federal involvement could be required.

Commissioners thanked the speakers and said staff would follow up individually with Parks & Recreation, planning and economic development staff. Commissioner Larry Ford praised McRae’s volunteer work and the county’s existing partnerships with local museums; the board indicated interest in continuing discussions with the Historical Society but did not commit to specific funding at the meeting.

Why this matters: Caroline County’s southern corridor around Preston includes several documented Underground Railroad sites and small local museums that preservationists say can support modest tourism and education without large infrastructure projects. The society framed its request around maintenance funding, visitor interpretation and structured agritourism rather than commercial development.

Next steps noted at the meeting: staff follow-up with Parks & Recreation and Economic Development; possible further discussion of parking and signage; continued use of volunteer and foundation funds (Leverton Hubbard Foundation) to seed maintenance resources.