Grand Reopening of Bristol Train Station Set For July 4th

NW Mailing List nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Tue May 26 13:12:10 EDT 2009


**Grand Reopening of Bristol** **Train** **Station Set For July 4th**



Celebrate Bristol and the Bristol Train station Foundation
are announcing that the newly restored Bristol Union Railway Station
will have its** Grand Reopening** on** Saturday July 4** in conjunction
with Bristol's annual Star-Spangled Saturday celebration. According to
Brad McCroskey, event manager of the facility, "the timing of this event
is significant to the history of the train station as it was dedicated
on July 4, 107 years to the day."This event will complete a ten-year $5
million dollar renovation under the direction of the nonprofit Bristol
Train station Foundation.The foundation and both city governments
jointly purchased the former Railway Station in 1999 following its use
as a shopping mall and years of disrepair.



The station was constructed in 1902 by John P. Pettyjohn and Company of
Lynchburg, Virginia and the finished brick work was laid by Bristol
resident John J. Fowler, who worked on Bristol's finest commercial
buildings and residences.Today it is one of only a few rail stations of
its era and prominence remaining built by Norfolk&Western Railway."This
station also not only represents the 150-plus year history of rail
service in Bristol", according to Celebrate Bristol Chairman Tim
Buchanan, "but the very reason the community exists."In 1980 it was
placed on the National Register of Historic Places for the building's
architectural and transportation significance.The renovated facility was
completed in the fall of 2008 with modern amenities for meetings and
special events, space for business tenants and potential Amtrak railservice.



The dedication and grand reopening will begin at 2:00pm following the
Star-Spangled Saturday Parade and events at Cumberland Square Park in
downtown Bristol.Bristol Train Station plans for July 4 include an O.
Winston Link photographic exhibit, a railroad art exhibit by the Art of
the Highlands and artwork by the children of Bristol.Music will be
provided by Bristol's Own Dixieland Band and Theatre Bristol will
present historical portrayals of notable Bristol citizens.Dignitaries
from both states, railroad executives, contributors and others
instrumental in the station's renovation have been invited to attend the
events of theday.



There will be numerous events indowntown Bristol on July 4 so it is
recommended that the public come early andmake it a day for the entire
family.For the trainstation event, Martin Luther King Jr Blvd will be
closed at1:30pm and overflow parking will be available at First Baptist
Church.Other activities of the day will includea 10:00am parade, live
music and food at Cumberland Square Park and a largeAntique Automobile
Club of America (AACA) sanctioned car show across from theTrain Station.
Other events will beannounced at a later date. For more information on
the GrandReopening events at the Bristol Union Railway Station contact
Brad McCroskey,events manager, at 276-494-7485.
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