April 20 update – Exciting news! Just four days ago, we announced our total raised for the “Save the Beebe Ranch” fundraiser at $317,000. As of today, we are now over $375,000. (total purchase price is $625,000). That’s a big jump thanks to your generous donations including the dinner/auction this past weekend, online donations, mailed in support, and fundraisers around the country. We are so grateful for every share, dollar, or volunteer hour given to get us this far.
David Landsberger, a local philanthropist who has supported many island organizations, would love to see the Beebe Ranch property protected! He is offering a matching grant up to $100,000!! That means your $5 donation turns into $10, your $100 donation doubles to $200. Donations coming in now will all qualify for this challenge! Let’s double our $$ and reach our goal to #savetheranch!
Save the Beebe Ranch donations can be made through the Museum of Chincoteague Island website, GoFundMe or by mailing a check payable to the Museum of Chincoteague Island (noting the donation is for the Beebe Ranch) to PO Box 352 Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336. For further information, please feel free to call the museum directly at 757-336-6117.
April 19-22 – Breyer Model Horse Online Auction
From the Breyer Model Horses Facebook page – The Beebe Ranch of Chincoteague, Virginia – the home of the real-life Beebe family, Misty of Chincoteague, and her descendants – is currently in danger of being redeveloped. To support the Museum of Chincoteague Island’s ongoing efforts to save the Beebe Ranch, Breyer is offering a special Gold Misty and Stormy test run set via eBay auction, with all proceeds to be donated to the Museum’s fundraiser. The 3-day auction will run through this Saturday, April 22nd at 1:00 PM EDT. 🐴 Place your bids here: http://ow.ly/R62r50NN74o
April 29 – Make a Framed 5×5 Felted Pony to Benefit Beebe Ranch Purchase
Join JoAnn Stratakos and learn how to make a framed 5×5 felted pony on April 29 from 1:30pm – 4pm at the Museum. $45 per person with all proceeded being donated to #savetheranch. Class is limited to 12 people. Reserve your space by calling the Museum at 757-336-6117 or at the Museum of Chincoteague Island.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2023: Chincoteague Island, VA – Chincoteague Island is fortunate to have visitors come from around the world to enjoy the untampered seashore, amazing wildlife, and quaint historical downtown. Many of those visitors also come because of “Misty of Chincoteague” a book published in 1947 by Marguerite Henry that inspired millions. “Misty of Chincoteague” tells the against-the-odds story of two siblings Paul and Maureen Beebe. These two children lived on the ranch with their grandparents, Clarence and Ida Beebe (affectionately called Grandma and Grandpa Beebe in the story). The charming story centers on the children’s desire to buy the wild pony of their dreams and the challenges they faced to make that dream a reality. It is a heartwarming tale that made the Beebe family, Misty and the Beebe Ranch a beloved part of the literary world.
After 100 years, the Beebe family need to sell the ranch. The demands of maintaining the ranch plus the desire to use the funds to help their aging family is certainly a good enough reason to sell. We appreciate all they have done to preserve the remaining 10.3 acres of the ranch. This property is where Misty spent most of her life, and the original home still stands. The Beebe family has reached out to the Museum of Chincoteague in the hopes that the museum could acquire the property and maintain it as the ranch. Allowing it to be incorporated into the museum, would help protect it for many years to come. Because of the circumstances, the museum has been given one month to see if they can generate the funds to purchase the property.
The mission of the Museum of Chincoteague Island is to preserve, collect and protect the history of Chincoteague and Assateague Island. It is with this mission in mind that we would like to ask the public to join us to save the Beebe Ranch. If we can raise the funds in what can only be called a colossal, grassroots effort, we can preserve the ranch for future generations, keep a treasured part of Chincoteague intact and support the mission of the museum to protect our history, making the Beebe Ranch an officially an extension of the museum. Since we have been given one month to generate the funds, please understand that this can not be done without you!
We are asking you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Museum of Chincoteague Island. Our goal is $625,000. The family has already been given an offer by a developer for that amount. If we are not successful in raising our goal, the donor will be able to decide if they would like their donation returned.
Whether you are able to donate a little or a larger sum, share on social media, or tell a friend, every action can help make this dream a reality. Donations can be made through the Museum of Chincoteague Island website, GoFundMe or by mailing a check payable to the Museum of Chincoteague Island (noting the donation is for the Beebe Ranch) to PO Box 352 Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336. For further information, please feel free to call the museum directly at 757-336-6117.
******Please note that our info might say “Oyster Museum dba Museum of Chincoteague Island” but that is still accurate*****
Together we can make this happen!!!!
Museum of Chincoteague Island
Physical: 7125 Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Mailing: PO Box 352 Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
www.ChincoteagueMuseum.com
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About Museum of Chincoteague Island
The mission of the Museum of Chincoteague is to collect and preserve the material culture that reflects the historical progression of the life on Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. We display and interpret those objects to enhance the understanding of various experiences and events from the Town’s past by preserving objects of significance, along with proper documenting of their history and acquisition, for the use of future generations in understanding the history of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.
Media Contact:
Name: Cindy Faith
Title: Executive Director
Phone: 757-336-6117
Email address: museumofci@gmail.com
