Woodlawn Stables Owner: Officials Ignoring Mount Vernon Community

After the news that Arcadia and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have considered expansive plans for the land and property at Woodlawn Plantation, some of which is currently leased to Woodlawn Stables, Patch asked stables owner Cindy Mitchell to weigh in with her thoughts on the future plans for the historic 126 acres and mansion, which dates back to 1805.

The stable business lease on the land from the National Trust for Historic Preservation expires in 2016. After requesting an extension of the lease, the National Trust turned her down.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to find out more about the future plans for the land, Patch asked Woodlawn Stables owner Cindy Mitchell about her thoughts on how proposed changes have been handled with the Mount Vernon community:

"The current twenty-five year lease expires in 2016 and as the property owner the National Trust for Historic Preservation has the right to lease it, or not, to whomever they want. I plan on staying as long as it is safe to do so.   

If I feel 'slighted'...it would be over the public process and public outcry.  My students, of all ages and all walks of life, as well as the Mount Vernon community at large came together to express their desire for the stables to remain intact and they were ignored. It pains me that the process appears to be mostly for show and to tick off the check box which requires a meeting be held. 

What really incenses me is that people are portraying my students as 'privileged little darlings' when many of the them work at the barn to pay for their lessons. Our clients are working families who budget their money to be able to provide activities for their children.  If you've ever seen the effect horses have on a child's self confidence and esteem, as a parent, you would move heaven and earth to maintain that. At $50 an hour, I hardly think it is "elitist" as some have attempted to portray, music lessons and other sports charge considerably more with much less overhead. That is and always has been the point of Woodlawn Stables, that it be affordable to anyone who wants to try horseback riding." 

For more about the future of Woodlawn Plantation, read:

• Arcadia Proposes Restaurant at Woodlawn Plantation?
• National Trust Will Consider 'All Options' for Woodlawn Stables Land
• National Trust Will Not Renew Woodlawn Stables Lease
• Federal Highway Administration Offers Alternative Route 1 Widening Option
• Residents Voice Opposition to Route 1 Widening Plans
• Richmond Highway Development May Spare Woodlawn Stables
• Letter to the Editor: Arcadia's Future Plans for Woodlawn
• Woodlawn Stables Owner: 'Honored to Have Maintained Cultural Heritage'
• Save Woodlawn Stables Phase 2: New Barns and Thoughts on the Board of Supervisors Vote