Site of Abraham Lincoln's family home in the Valley listed as endangered

The Lincoln Homestead, the birthplace of the father of former President Abraham Lincoln in Rockingham County, has been added to Preservation Virginia's

.

The original home was built in the 1700s and was home to the 16th president's great-grandparents. Five generations of Lincolns and two slaves are buried in the next door cemetery, which remains today. Historical accounts even claim that Daniel Boone and his family stayed at the homestead for a period of time.

Abraham Lincoln's father was born on the property in 1778.

While the original house burned down in the 1800s, the home built to replace it still stands off of Route 42. The home is privately owned, uninhabited and in some disrepair.

So Sharon Grandle wanted to do something about it.

"My own family originated in this county from the 1790s," said Grandle. "I've always had a love of history, especially American history and a deep love for the Shenandoah Valley."

Grandle nominated the home for preservation through the non-profit

, which works to preserve historical sites around the Commonwealth.

The roof of the home is relatively new, but the home still needs some work.

Grandle's hope is to eventually open the home to educate the community on the local history. The next step is to sell the property and then begin collecting funds for the preservation efforts.

Every February 12, Rockingham County’s Lincoln Society hosts a wreath-laying ceremony at the property in honor of President Lincoln's birthday.

You can find the full list of Preservation Virginia's Most Endangered Historic Places

.