Category Archives: Historic Buildings

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The Boars Head Inn

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The Boars Head Inn in Charlottesville, VA, an historic hotel in the Blue Ridge Mountains, sits on the site of Terrell’s Ordinary, a modest inn where, during the 1700s, westward travelers stayed the night (these comments, and some of the next are taken from the Boars Head website).

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By the 1960s, the Ordinary was but a memory and in its place was the quintessential Virginia Inn.

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The heart of The Boar’s Head was built from the timbers of an abandoned gristmill along the banks of the Hardware River, which dated back to 1834.

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I’m lucky enough to attend a quarterly Board Meeting for my Nurse Practitioner organization at the Boars Head, but this time, I met my parents and one of my sisters and stayed as an overnight guest as well.

Situated on over 570 acres, the Inn features beautifully renovated rooms, afternoon canapes in the tea room, and five course dining in the Old Mill Room (which showcases beams from that 150 year old grist mill).

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We were still experiencing frigid temps while there, yet the geese on the frozen pond seemed to have adapted pretty well.

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The sunrise reflecting off yet another frozen pond was an incredible way to start the day.  I’m not sure when I’ve seen colors like this.

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I spent several hours learning the new camera yesterday, but that was after my time at the Boars Head Inn.  I look forward to applying some of what I have learned on my next trip back to Charlottesville.

Consider stopping in for a visit if you are near Charlottesville.  You will not be disappointed!

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Morning on Main Street

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The sun was shining brightly on these historic buildings.

They just don’t make ’em like this anymore.

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Ahh … the upside to early morning dental work!

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The Merc

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The Draper Mercantile is a lovingly restored, 125 year old building in Southwest Virginia.  It currently serves as a place to hear local music, enjoy a fine meal, and as a showplace for regional arts and crafts.  The Merc has been providing goods and services to Pulaski County and the surrounding communities for over a century and according to the website “visitors could purchase just about anything”.

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A receipt found in a desk by the current owners summarizes an eclectic purchase: sugar, burial clothes, salmon, lemons, and a coffin.  At various times, The Merc has housed a barber shop, a blacksmith, the post office, and a dress shop. In the spring the farmers brought in their lambs to sell and in the fall their hogs, turkey, potatoes etc., which went towards settling their accounts (drapermerc.com).

One evening last week, I met my friend Amy on the upstairs porch and enjoyed a glass of wine in a beautiful setting.

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Some would have used photoshop to rid the images of powerlines.  Despite the fact that I don’t have photoshop, I think that the powerlines add historic accuracy to The Merc and the community of Draper.

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If you’re ever in the area, check it out!!

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See It Every Day

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How often do you pass by a building or place, maybe even every day, and even though you know it has intriguing characteristics, you never stop for a closer look?   The New Mt Olive M.E. Church has always drawn my attention, but I’ve never taken the time to investigate.

The church sits on a hill in a neighborhood off one of the main roads in my small city.

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As I rode by on the bike one day, with rain threatening, I decided to stop and check it out.

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The building materials are simple … and reveal signs of wear.

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The church was originally built in 1889, but was either renovated or rebuilt in 1929.

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I think what attracts me most is the way it sits up there on that hill, somewhat majestic and slightly imposing.

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Wonder what it’s like inside?