I'm greatly relieved and delighted to report that ownership of Hatton Ferry near Scottsville, Virginia--the last surviving poled ferry in the United States--will pass from the Virginia Department of Transportation, which planned to close it, to the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society (http:// www.albemarlehistory.org/). This development guarantees the ferry's survival for at least the next couple of years. For more information, please see the Charlottesville Daily Progress article at http://www2.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/group_to_take_hatton_ferry_off_vdots_hands/49478/ . I very much hope that the ferry will continue to be sought out by a steady stream of visitors, and that the historical society has the wisdom and good sense to develop and implement a solid plan for the long-term survival of this unique historic treasure. --Jurretta Heckscher ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html