This past Sunday, April 21, 2013, I attended a ceremony to dedicate a historical marker beside the entrance gate to Hyde Park Farm in Burkeville, Virginia. Surrounded by members of the Thalhimer family, Marsha and Bob Gillette (author of The Virginia Plan: William B. Thalhimer and a Rescue from Nazi Germany), the current owner of the farm, an assortment of friends and neighbors, local dignitaries, and representatives from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the marker was unveiled to great applause. But the most amazing part of the day was a realization voiced by Mr. Gillette: it was exactly 75 years TO THE DAY since Gramps (William B. Thalhimer Sr.) purchased Hyde Farm as a refuge for young German Jews fleeing Nazi Germany. The day Gramps purchased the farm was April 21, 1938.
Serendipity is one of my favorite things, but I wonder if this anniversary was mere coincidence. Bob Gillette taught me a Yiddish word that I think is more fitting: beshert. It means destiny. Fate.
Whether it was predestined or not, I’m certain that Gramps was smiling down on us as his great-great-grandchildren unveiled the historic marker acknowledging his heroic attempt to save as many German Jews as he could at Hyde Park Farm.
After the ceremony, as I sat on the front porch of the old farmhouse eating a deviled egg and chicken salad croissant, I watched my daughter Lyla and her cousins chasing each other in the yard. I thought of the German Jewish teenagers tending to the fields and the chickens on the same land 75 years prior. 75 years before the refugees lived at Hyde Farm, slaves lived in the outbuildings and toiled in the fields. I wonder what Hyde Farm will observe over the next 75 years?
Finding Thalhimers 
Elizabeth, What a wonderful moment and memory for the next 75 years for you and the Thalhimer Family! Yes, it was beshert. I truly love hearing your families history while I discover my own families history. Thank you for sharing with everyone!
Judy King Crocker
King’s Bar- be- que Family
Elizabeth–You know BobGillette? Are you kidding? Talk about serendipity! Ask him about me. My chin is on my chest. Fate. Charlotte
Wowsers! I wrote the foreword for Bob’s book. We’ve known each other for 6 years now…we met when I was pregnant with Lyla and he’s been researching the Hyde Farm story ever since. What’s your connection? I’ll mention your name next time I email him!! Charlotte, you never cease to amaze me.
I bought the book that was wrote about your grandfather saving Jews and bringing them to this county and to the farm that you talked about. Sounds like there was a great enjoying the farm and the people. I think it was wonderful what your family has done to help people everywhere
Thanks for your kind words, Pat! So glad you enjoyed Mr. Gillette’s book. It’s truly an incredible story. We’re headed to the Jewish Heritage Museum in NYC next month where my great-grandpa will be featured in an exhibit about Americans who helped German Jewish refugees. Exciting that the story is finally coming to light.
Take care, and best to your family… Elizabeth
Bob Gillette is an an amazing human being, a true Connecticut Yankee who has embraced his new Southern roots . I am honored to be his friend for more than fifty years..His book and the story he tells is one of continued hope in the future as long as we keep alive the past. Rabbi Arnie Sher
Thanks for your remarks, Rabbi! I will be sure to share them with Bob. He has been an inspiration to me in the few years I’ve known him. His research on Hyde Farm is invaluable to our family and a true gift.
Robert Gillette is my uncle. He has always been an amazing story teller. Every year for the Jewish holidays, we’d go to their home in Easton, CT and take a walk into the woods where Uncle Bob would tell a great story to us kids. The Hyde Farm story is yet another example of his incredible ability to weave a beautiful story (this one from fact!). I am honored to have him as my uncle, friend and mentor. – Marge Plotkin Stehman
Hi, Marge. Thanks for sharing these kind words about your Uncle Bob! He is a storyteller indeed, and I am so grateful to him for telling the Hyde Farm story.
Wish we had known about the ceremony. My grandmother is a Barron and lived on the farm as a child. She is 90, going strong, and would have enjoyed the dedication for the home. It is great that it is finally marked as a historic landmark!
I wish I’d known to contact you, Sarah! Thanks so much for the update on your mom…she sounds amazing. Please tell her that I said hello, and to reach out to me with any stories about the farm!
I’m Stanley Fowlkes decendent of John Fowlkes. Thanks to bob for keeping up this historic place. Hope to visit soon
Wow! Thanks for responding to this post. I think John Fowlkes would be really proud to see the preservation of Hyde Farm!