Can Beebe Ranch, famed home of 'Misty of Chincoteague,' be saved? Museum issues appeal

Keith Demko, Salisbury Daily Times
·4 min read

The iconic Beebe Ranch, where the famed pony Misty of Chincoteague spent much of her life, has attracted visitors from around the world to see where it all began.

But after 100 years, the Beebe family needs to move on and sell the famous site, so the community of Chincoteague now faces two choices: watch the property be sold or save it. The Museum of Chincoteague Island has issued a fundraising appeal, but first more on the celebrated history of Misty and the ranch, through good times and bad.

Who was Misty of Chincoteague?

Billy Beebe is shown Misty on the Beebe Ranch in this vintage photo
Billy Beebe is shown Misty on the Beebe Ranch in this vintage photo

The wild pony Misty rose to fame through the 1947 novel "Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry.

Henry's novel is based on the Beebe family and tells the story of their purchase of Misty and her mother, Phantom, from an auction during Chincoteague Island's annual Pony Penning. In 1961, the story was adapted into the film "Misty," which furthered the legend of both the ranch and the island's big annual pony showcase.

Pony Penning becomes a huge hit

Pony Penning, the weeklong celebration in July that includes the pony roundup, swim, auction and swim back, all began in 1925, and really took off with the publication of "Misty of Chincoteague."

The Pony Swim draws all kinds of pony lovers to wade into swamps, climb trees or whatever they have to do to get a glimpse, and they returned in force in 2022 after two years off due to COVID-19.

And despite the setback of two virtual years, the related auction has also set records for three years running.

The 2022 auction raised a record total of $450,200 from the auction of 63 ponies, including 10 buybacks, according to a tally posted on the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce and Certified Visitor Center's site.

THE BIG COMEBACK:Chincoteague Pony Swim 2022 returns to full glory. 'It gives you chills'

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Tragedies mount for the Beebe family

Maureen Beebe is shown in this file photo courtesy of the Museum of Chincoteague Island.
Maureen Beebe is shown in this file photo courtesy of the Museum of Chincoteague Island.

Maureen Beebe, the Beebe family member depicted as the little girl in the "Misty of Chincoteague" book, died over Memorial Day weekend in 2019, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Co. announced at the time.

"It's a special place on the island because it was part of that story that brought so much attention to the island," Chincoteague Mayor J. Arthur Leonard said.

The news of Maureen Beebe's death was announced on the fire company's Facebook page May 25, 2019.

"It is with great sadness that the Chincoteague Vol Fire Co. announces the death of our dear friend, Maureen Beebe," the Facebook post read. "A true Chincoteague icon with a huge heart and huge personality."

Around the same time, the husband of surviving family member Barbara Beebe died only one day after his 88th birthday.

Beebe Ranch fire adds to family's setbacks

The famous Beebe Ranch, home of Misty of Chincoteague, burned Tuesday, June 25, 2019. The call came in at 10:41 p.m., according to Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company spokeswoman Denise Bowden. Additionally, there were exposure problems with two homes on the north side of the barn, both of which suffered some exterior damage, she said.
The famous Beebe Ranch, home of Misty of Chincoteague, burned Tuesday, June 25, 2019. The call came in at 10:41 p.m., according to Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company spokeswoman Denise Bowden. Additionally, there were exposure problems with two homes on the north side of the barn, both of which suffered some exterior damage, she said.

Compounding that family tragedy, a fire broke out in June 2019 that destroyed much of the property.

The famous Beebe Ranch was consumed by flames, signaling the loss of a valuable part of Chincoteague's history.

"Every single family member has memories in that little barn ... many as little children growing up here and some of us seeing it only as adults," the Beebe family said in a statement then on Facebook.

THE BIG BLAZE:Chincoteague's famous Beebe Ranch, home of 'Misty of Chincoteague,' burns

THE RESILIENT BEEBE CLAN:After Misty of Chincoteague landmark wiped out, its history survives

And now, the Beebe family is giving up the ranch, so that's where the Museum of Chincoteague's plea for support comes in.

An appeal to help save the Beebe Ranch

Here's what the Museum of Chincoteague Island put out in a release announcing its fundraising drive:

"The mission of the Museum of Chincoteague Island is to preserve, collect and protect the history of Chincoteague and Assateague. 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 officially an extension of the museum. We have been given one month to make this happen. This can not be done without you!"

How to contribute to save the Beebe Ranch

Organizers are seeking tax-deductible donations to the Museum of Chincoteague, with notations that donations are to help “Save the Beebe Ranch.” The goal is $625,000, and a release from the museum states that if the fundraising drive doesn't reach its goal, donors will be able to decide if they would like their donations returned.

The Museum of Chincoteague Island’s mailing address is P.O. Box 352, Chincoteague, VA 23336. For more information, call the museum at 757-336-6117. Credit card donations can be received through the museum website: chincoteaguemuseum.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Museum issues appeal to help save home of 'Misty of Chincoteague'