April, 2013 - Nelson County Historical Society

Nelson County Historical Society News
April - 2013
www.nelsonhistorical.com
Nelson County Historic Homes and Properties Tour
Saturday, May 18th
Woodson’s Mill -1
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Rock House (Rose Mill Rd.) -2
Oakland Museum -3
1-Woodson’s Mill
2-The Rock House (Rose Mill Rd.)
3-Oakland – Nelson County
Museum of Rural History
4-Trinity Episcopal Church
5-Old Arrington School
6-Inglewood Lavender Farm
Trinity Episcopal Church -4
Old Arrington School -5
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Inglewood Lavender Farm -6
A Variety of Historic Properties Awaits Visitors on May 18th
Tour at a Glance
Enjoy a day traveling the back roads of the county to tour homes and properties in the Lowesville, Piney River,
and Arrington communities.
The tour offers a wide variety of historical properties that include a working gristmill; a 19 th century stone
house; a museum and tavern; an old school preserved as a residence; a ca. 1830 home enhanced by lavender
fields; and one of the oldest churches in the county.
Tickets:
Block tickets for $15.00 will be sold at the following locations on the day of the tour: Woodson’s Mill, The
Rock House, Oakland Museum, Old Arrington School and Inglewood Lavender Farm. No individual home
tickets will be sold for the tour.
Advanced Tickets:
Block tickets for $15.00 will be sold at the Nelson County Visitors Center prior to May 18 th.
Open: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily (434-263-7015).
Lunch:
Trinity Episcopal Church will be serving lunch for $10.00 per person - available from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please make a reservation by May 15 to Kate McGinnis at 434263-5895. Menu: Chicken Salad Croissant, Fruit, Chips, Dessert and Beverage
Picnic Tables:
Outdoor seating at tables is available for “bring your own lunch” at Inglewood Lavender
Farm and Oakland Museum.
Restrooms, etc:
Restrooms will be available at Trinity Episcopal Church and Oakland Museum. For this country tour, please
wear comfortable shoes. Photography is prohibited within the private homes on the tour.
Directions to the Tour Sites:
The properties do not have to be visited in the order that they are listed on the map.
The Nelson County Historical Society directional signs will be located at important intersections on the day of
the tour.
From Lynchburg: Route 29 N to Colleen, and begin the tour following Route 56 W (Woodson’s Mill and The
Rock House); Rt. 655 (Arrington Rd. to Old Arrington School and Inglewood Lavender Farm). Alternate route
to reach Woodson’s Mill; take Route 151 N of Amherst for 7 miles and left on Lowesville Road.
From Charlottesville: Follow Route 29 three miles south of Lovingston from the stoplight to Oakland Museum
and Trinity Episcopal Church. Other sites can be accessed from that area (see map).
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Woodson’s Mill
The Rock House (Rose Mill Road)
The mill, originally built by Guilford Campbell in 1794
and later rebuild in 1845, was known as Piney River Mill.
Dr. Julian Woodson purchased the mill, farmhouse and
surrounding acres in the early 1900s and the mill name
changed to “Woodson’s Mill”. Under Woodson’s
ownership, the mill was the hub of activity in Lowesville.
The mill was not just for grinding grain, but was his
physician’s office with a small examination room and
dispensary.
Built in 1930 for the family of Frank Stringfellow Quinn
(who was known by his middle name), this home is a
remarkable example of the American foursquare style
popular from the late 19th-century through the 1930s.
Typical of this style is the perfectly square footprint of
the original, principal structure; the 2 ½ stories topped
by a hipped roof with a front dormer; and the Arts and
Crafts details of the interior. More unusual features,
however, include the 15ʺ-thick exterior walls with a
meticulously applied river-rock façade; the portecochère on the west side of the home; and the walnut
trim, doors, and built-ins throughout most of the
original house.
To operate the mill, water is diverted by a dam from
Piney River located above the mill and directed by the
millrace to the double-overshot Fitz water wheels. . Dr.
Woodson built the second wheel to generate electricity
for the mill and farmhouse.
During its 83 years, the house passed through many
hands, returning to the Quinn family when it was
owned by Ken and Molly Gerke from 1990 to 2007.
Gill Brockenbrough, the owner’s father actively ran the
mill from 1984 until his death in 2001. After a period of
closure, in 2012 the Brockenbroughs began grinding
products such as whole wheat flour, stone ground grits,
and cornmeal at the water-powered mill.
In 2007, it was purchased by Samantha Embrey, who, in
addition to renovating the original house, enclosed the
side porch and added a large “music room” with a
cathedral ceiling that echoes the shape of the original
structure. The home showcases an extensive collection
of original art by local artists and other artists she has
known.
Woodson’s Mill is one of only a few commercially
water- powered gristmill in Virginia. On the day of the
tour, the mill will be operating and grinding the grains.
Mill products will be available for purchase and food
items made from the grains may be sampled. The
interior of the mill is not handicap accessible and no
restrooms are available.
The mature landscaping on the three-acre property
includes what is probably the oldest and most beautiful
dawn redwood tree in Nelson County.
Woodson’s Mill is on the Virginia Landmarks Register
and National Register of Historic Places.
Owner: Samantha Embrey
Owners: Sarah and Will Brockenbrough
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Oakland – Nelson County Museum of Rural History
Trinity Episcopal Church
The red brick house now known as Oakland has been a
presence in Nelson County for over 170 years. Located
on the Lynchburg Stage Road, the house has served a
variety of purposes. Build by George Mitchell about
1838, Mitchell’s Brick House served as a tavern for
travelers along the Stage Road. During the Civil War
and owned by Dr. Arthur Hopkins, it was run as a clinic
for wounded and sick Confederate soldiers. In 1871 it
passed into the Goodwin family and remained a private
home for several Goodwin family members until 2004
when the Nelson County Historical Society purchased
the property for a museum relating to the rural culture
of the county.
With a need for a community church in the area, Robert
and Peggy Cabell Rives, owners of Oak Ridge, built the
church about 1830. First named Rives Church, it was
used by Baptists and Methodists until 1850 when it was
consecrated Trinity Episcopal Church. It has
continuously served Episcopalians in the community as
a part of the Nelson Parish.
The main entrance into the rectangular structure was
on the south side of the building toward the road, but
was closed in the late 1800s and a side entrance
became the main entrance. Additions and repairs have
been made to the original church, including the
completion of the parish hall in 1961. The many
memorials bear witness to the love and admiration felt
for former family members by those who have followed
in the oldest Episcopal Church in the county.
Under the leadership of the Oakland Museum Board,
the building has been adapted as a museum with
exhibits; The Best Great Hope, a history of the schools in
Nelson County; When the Rains Came, featuring
Hurricane Camille and its impact on the county in 1969;
and Cuttin’ on the Lights, the coming of rural
electrification in the county. Oakland Museum includes
a tavern era room and a gift shop with books and maps
of local interest.
The Bernard L. McGinnis, III Memorial Garden was
planted and landscaped on the church grounds in 2012
to honor a devoted parishioner of the church.
Oakland Museum is on the Virginia Landmark Register
and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Thanks to the Nelson County
Garden Club for the floral
arrangements on the day of the
tour.
The day of the tour, docents will tell about Oakland’s
history and introduce visitors to the featured exhibits.
Owner: Nelson County Historical Society
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Old Arrington School
Inglewood Lavender Farm
Arrington School House first opened its doors in 1912
and continued as a school until 1955. This three room
schoolhouse provided an education for grades 1-7.
When the school closed it was sold to the Ruritan Club
and was used for dances and other social functions in
the community.
Inglewood was built in 1829 by George Washington
Cabell, an attorney and county judge, who held court at
Inglewood. The land and home were held as a family
seat for all nine of Judge Cabell’s children and their
heirs as long as any should want a home. Cabell
descendents owned the house until 1958 when it was
purchased by John Mogle who resided there until 1989.
Ownership of the property has changed several times
with the current owners, Kathy and Shannon Tillman,
purchasing the property in 2010.
With only one other owner, the Taylors bought the
property in 1968. They have preserved the historical
integrity of the building with the renovations and
restorations they have made to make it their
comfortable home. The original pine board floors
remain and window facings which have the initials of
students are still visible. The large front porch of the
school is now the entry room for the Taylor house.
The original home has had several additions and
renovations as it passed through different ownerships.
The Tillmans recently extended the kitchen and rear
entry for more living space. The home is appointed
with nautical artwork, big game trophies, a distinctive
Molas needlework collection, colorful seashells, and
many unusual native artifacts from the family’s sailing
trip around the world.
Many features of school days remain in the home. A
hole is in the floor, created by a fire poker from a
century ago. A corner of the basement has one of the
original potbellied stoves that heated the school in
1912. An enormous ash tree growing in the front of the
house was planted by the school children. The Taylors
have a photo album filled with pictures of the school
and students who were educated there.
The Tillmans have brought life to the land with an
extensive lavender garden and their business,
Inglewood Lavender. A newly planted boxwood and
lavender parterre garden to the rear of the house, a
mobile chicken coop and a small flock of all-white
Dorset sheep add interest to this working farm. Tour
the main house, enjoy a stroll through the grounds and
lavender fields, and shop for lavender products in the
renovated smokehouse.
Owners: Kathy and Shannon Tillman
During the tour former students of the school will offer
recollections of school days at Arrington School.
Owners: Margaret and Kenneth Taylor
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Photo by Thayer Design
HISTORY OF NELSON’S COURTHOUSE
FEATURED IN NEW EXHIBIT
The evolution of the Nelson County Courthouse
and Court Square over two centuries is the theme of
a newly installed exhibit in the entry way of Nelson
County’s newly expanded judicial center in
Lovingston. The display features several colorful
banners in the main hallway, five permanently
mounted panels on the first-floor walkway ramp
and a color-coded simple scale model of the
courthouse square that shows the evolution of the
building additions over the years. Sponsored by
Nelson County and designed and fabricated by
Thayer Design of Madison Heights, Virginia, the
exhibit traces the development of the Nelson
County Courthouse and related buildings on Court
Square in a series of handsomely illustrated panels,
each focused on an important facet of the
courthouse’s evolution:

The first panel, entitled “A New Courthouse
for a New County” describes the formation
of Nelson County from Amherst County as
Governor William Cabell’s Christmas gift to
his fellow citizens of Nelson and the
donation of the land by James Loving for the
first courthouse. It highlights key elements
of Sheldon Croistwait‘s original design for
the courthouse-- one of the oldest
courthouses in Virginia in continuous use
since its construction by George Varnum in
1810.
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
“The Jefferson Jail, Ca. 1824” describes
Thomas Jefferson’s engagement at the
invitation of Joseph Cabell in the design of
the ca. 1824 brick jail that still stands on the
courthouse grounds. It is believed to be one
of the last designs of Thomas Jefferson
before he died. The panel features
Jefferson’s original sketch of the building
design, images of Jefferson and Cabell and
photographs of the jail from the 1930swhen
it served as the office of County Clerk C. W.
Embrey.

“19th Century Prosperity & Progress”
describes the early evolution of the
courthouse square, the importance of Court
Day to the Nelson community and the story
of the visit of Union troops to the courthouse
on March 4, 1865. It includes pictures of the
secondary buildings and a community
gathering on Court Square, and graphic
evidence of court records vandalized by
Sheridan’s raiders during the Civil War.

“ 20th Century Transformation” describes
subsequent additions to the courthouse
from the 1940s to the 1970s; social
gatherings on Court Square for Easter egg
hunts, roller skating and Nelson County
Day, three celebrated murder trials in the
early 20th century; tributes to State Delegate
Robert Whitehead for his political skills and
leadership; the Civil War and Camille
monuments on Court Square; and the largely
unchanged outward appearance of Nelson
circuit courtroom over two centuries.

“Preservation Success Story,” the final panel
in the exhibit, describes the challenges of
adapting a historic courthouse to modern
uses, and the County’s success in achieving
a design for the new judicial center that
preserves the character and buildings of the
original courthouse, retains the original
courtroom in function as a circuit court,
while also providing modern systems,
needed security, adequate space and public
access
The design process for the exhibit involved the
collaboration of designers Paula and Marc Waller of
Thayer Design with a working group of advisors
that included Allen Hale and Connie Brennan of the
Nelson County Board of Supervisors, Steven Carter
and Candy McGarry of Nelson County
Administrator’s Office, County Court Clerk Judy
Smythers, and three representatives of the Nelson
County Historical Society—Samantha Embrey,
Bernard L. McGinnis, and Bob Carter. The County
initiated the exhibit in compliance with an
agreement between the County, the Virginia
Department of Historic Resources and the Federal
Communications Commission to find an
appropriate way to mitigate the adverse effect of
constructing a 911 emergency tower on the
Lovingston Historic District. Thayer Design Inc. is
a Madison Heights-based company that specializes
in creating signs and displays for museums, schools
and corporations. The firm has designed several
exhibits on display at Oakland, Nelson County’s
Museum of Rural History.
New Additions to the Society Files
“Old Soldiers Do Cry – Bill’s WW II Story” –
written and given by Bill & Betty Stevens
Strasburg, VA(booklet)
“ Letters of Maria Nelson and Susan J.
Bowling Mahone to her son, Robert from 1895
on…” translated and given by Andy Keller -Glen
Allen, VA
New Members to the Society
Jim & Rhetta Bearden-----------Charlottesville, VA
John Bradshaw, Jr. --------------------------Faber, VA
Mary Dawson Edwards-----------------Schuyler, VA
Helen Kimble----------------------------------Afton, VA
Jean Payne--------------------------------Roseland, VA
Charlie Pierce--------------------------Lovingston, VA
John Shelton------------------------------Roseland, VA
Nellie Vargo------------------------------ Shipman, VA
Recently Deceased Member
M. Caroline Cabell Tucker ----------Lovingston, VA
View exhibit: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Article by NCHS President, Bob Carter
-----------------------------------March Annual Meeting Draws Large Crowd
2013 Society Officers and Board
President----------------------------------- – Bob Carter
Vice- President-------------------- Samantha Embrey
Secretary-------------------------------- Becky Howard
Treasurer------------------------------------ Jean Brent
Robert Goad----- Dick Whitehead-----Andy Wright
---------------
June Historical Society Meeting
June 9th –Sunday, 2:00 p.m. in Gladstone, VA
“Remembering Gladstone” at Gladstone
Memorial Baptist Church in Gladstone, VA –
Residents and former residents will display
pictures, tell stories and share memories of this
historic railroad village along the James River.
Plan to attend, bring a friend and visit a Nelson
County community rich in railroad history.
Michael Kranish, author of Flight from Monticello:
Thomas Jefferson at War, gave an informative talk
concerning Jefferson’s travel through the area to an
interested group of listeners at The Nelson Center.
Becky Howard – Editor
[email protected]
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Nelson Co. Historical Society
P.O. Box 474
Lovingston, VA 22949
RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED
Dates to Remember
Membership Information
Nelson County
Historic Home Tour
th
Saturday, May 18
10 a.m. -5 p.m.
Single Membership - $15.00
“Remembering Gladstone”
th
Sunday -June 9 -2 p.m.
Gladstone Memorial Baptist
Church – Gladstone, VA
Family Membership - $20.00
Life Membership - $200.00
(Individual)
Mail to:
Nelson County Historical Society
P.O. Box 474
Lovingston, VA 22949