Restoration by the river

One of our previous items referred to the sometimes-negative perception communities have when quarries exist within their borders. We mentioned how aggregate producers should reach out to their communities with positive stories in the media and through plant tours. We came across something recently that made us think about this relationship with the community and how one producer might be nurturing it. Rockville, Md.-based Aggregate Industries restored the historic Hayfield Manor, a pre-revolutionary Georgian manor built on the banks of the Rappahannock River and located just outside Fredericksburg, Va. The manor was abandoned, vandalized and on the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities’ most-endangered list before Aggregate Industries’ stabilization and renovation project began in 2006. Hayfield now offers the house and surrounding property as an alternative venue for meetings, events or lectures, making it an active part of the community. The ultimate goal for Hayfield is to expand education about the house, the restoration project and the mining practices taking place on the property and the importance of mining in everyday life. Visit Hayfield's web site by clicking the link above and view some nice photos. If aggregate companies can help develop more community projects like this, maybe critics will be swayed, relationships will improve and our industry will be better off in the long run. -- Brian Richesson