Hurricane Erin didn’t pass close enough to Virginia to cause major damage, but the tropical storm conditions did result in floods this past weekend, particularly around Silver Creek River. A 200-year-old wood carving of a crow-headed figure believed to have been made by the Mattaponi Native American tribe that lived in this area was destroyed by the floods. It was located alone the “D” trail in Blackwood Forest, which follows the river for a stretch. The carving had always been a highlight for hikers, campers, and tourists, who are devastated at the loss.

“Because of where the carving was located, we couldn’t do much to protect it,” said the Park Service’s chief ranger, Samantha Bellinger. “The other option was to move it to a more secure location, but that would mean disturbing the grounds where it’s sat for at least three centuries. That didn’t seem like the right thing to do.”

Pieces of the waterlogged carving were later found around the forest. It was too damaged to repair, but the City Council has already put out a call for an artist of Native American descent to recreate the carving. Some Emerson Valley citizens are against the idea, insisting that making a new copy robs the artwork of all its meaning. There will be an open form debate at Sherman Gardens on August 31st to discuss the matter.

-Quinn Paxton, Local News, Emerson Valley Gazette