You’d figure since I am very interested in American Indian mounds all across the country, I’d be involved with a place named after a local tribe. I even had lunch with the chief of their tribe and reservation back in the 1990’s!
I have been making custom carved cedar signs for The Golf Club at Mattaponi Springs and The Barns at Mattaponi Springs, in Ruther Glen, Virginia, since 2021. They had noticed my carved signs at the Blue Ridge Tunnel on Afton Mountain and then contracted me for theirs! Over the years I have provided a large sign for their barns complex, a really cool and upscale wedding venue; several entrance signs for their world class golf course; and smaller signs for their quaint cabins and cottages.
The signs are of simple design, usually 2 posts with one or two cross beams that hold the carved cedar panels. The panels are dressed with 5/8″ square cedar trim. All the natural wood is stained with a semi-transparent stain, and the carved letters are carefully primed and painted with black sign enamel. The signs also have decorative metal plates also painted black.
I found that using a paint mask stencil for lettering the sign makes things go a lot faster and the letters are perfect! I am able to cut the stencils on my in-house vinyl cutter and I use Ronan brand sign enamel for the paint, which is very opaque and durable. The cedar trim pieces provide an interesting touch, adding depth and shadows to the signage.
I am currently working on two large signs for the cottages area. If you have a need for a great place to play a round of golf or need a neat spot for a wedding, you should definitely take a trip to their complex just several miles northeast of Kings Dominion. They even have a picturesque lake on the property.
Mark Hackley owns and operates Augusta Sign Company. Call: 540-943-9818!