|
Event
Abingdon Historic Homes Tour
For the first time in many years, several of Abingdon's most historic houses will be open for touring. All twelve of the properties are within the established downtown historic district, all within easy walking distance of each other.
Full Tour Roster:
# 1 304 East Main Street - This federal style brick house was built in 1832 by Daniel Lynch and later owned by his brother, Jacob. After the Civil War, it was owned by Rachel and Lavinia Findlay. Their heirs owned it until 1908. The house is notable for the elaborate architectural trim on its dormer windows and its carved mantels. The current owners are Michael and Margie Muncey who have added a sunporch, patio garden and extensive rear garden, including a koi pond which is fed by a spring under the house.
#2 228 East Main Street - Washington House, Abingdon's first hotel, was built in 1835 by Thomas Findlay, serving stage coach and other business travelers, as well as housing professional offices. During the early 20th century, a meat market and hat shop were located on the first level. It is currently owned by Byrum Geisler, who fully restored and renovated it to include his residence on the upper floors and two businesses on the ground level.
#3 224 East Main Street - On the National Register of Historic Places, The Bank was a residence that also served as the business address for the Exchange Bank, established in 1849. Robert Preston, its first cashier, was also Abingdon's first mayor. He and his family lived on the east side of the house, and the bank occupied the west side, complete with bars on the windows, a vault and separate entrance. Robert Preston's wife was Eleanor Wilson Preston, and her sister, Elizabeth, the wife of Col. James White, lived just a few doors west. When the bank ceased operations after the Civil War, the Preston family kept it as their residence. The only change made was a door cut from the central hall into what is now the family dining room. The Bank has remained in the family, descending to Mr. and Mrs. GRC Stuart.
#4 171 East Main Street - One of Abingdon's most wealthy merchants, Col. James White, built this home in 1819 and added a store front to its east in 1828. It was said that Col. White owned so much land that he could travel all the way to New Orleans without having to spend a night on a piece of property that he did not own. Partially burned during the Civil War in 1864, the house was soon re-built. The Whites were among Abingdon's largest slave owners. The slave quarters at the rear of the property have been preserved, and the main house retains many of its original architectural features and furniture. The current owner is Emmitt Yeary.
#5 Plumb Alley behind Col. James White's house - Walnut Grove, the Yeary Cabin, is a reconstructed log homestead and features authentic details and multiple outside "shops" such as a blacksmith area and pottery kiln.
#6 238 Barter Drive The President's House was built in 1921 for the president of Stonewall Jackson College (1915-1932) and later Abingdon Academy, whose buildings are still standing further up Barter Drive. This brick residence has been privately owned since 1945, and it has been the family home of Bob and Stella Gilmer since 1984. In addition to its gracious and large living areas, it features a renovated kitchen, a family room addition, and new master suite.
#7 235 Barter Drive - Built in 1950, this residence is the "newest" old house on the tour. At 5000 square feet, it is also one of the largest. Its original owners and builders were Major and Isbell Rousseau who copied their Connecticut home but at one-third its size. It has had only two other owners, Town Manager Brent Remsburg and his wife, Vera, and the present owners, Mike and Barbara Owens, who have done extensive remodeling. Of particular interest is the Owens' chef's kitchen renovation, the home's original large rooms with 10 foot ceilings and custom crown molding, and the brand new garden shed located on the grounds.
#8 116 East Main Street - This house was built in 1874, replacing an earlier one that was destroyed in the 1856 fire that also destroyed this entire block. Elliott Roosevelt, the father of Eleanor Roosevelt and younger brother of Teddy Roosevelt, lived here as a boarder during the early 1890s due to his alcoholism. He died in 1894, and his daughter, Eleanor, gave St. Thomas Episcopal Church a Bible in his memory. Dee Hopkins is the current owner, and she has recently added a detached garage as well as a covered porch overlooking her garden.
#9 102 East Main Street This three-story home was built in 1871 after the original home was destroyed in 1856 in one of Abingdon's major fires that started across the street in a carriage factory. Michael Shaver, the original owner, lived here as early as 1810. He was a silversmith, blacksmith, jeweler and dentist and had both his home and workshops here and on the adjacent east lot. The fire destroyed his "his old family residence on the corner" and another adjacent building "recently erected." The current owners are Jeff and Lisa Johnson, who purchased the home in 2013 as their family residence.
#10 131 East Main Street - Peter and William Henritze, hatters and merchants, owned this property as early as 1816 when they built their log workshop and, in 1838, an adjacent frame house to its east. The log store was eventually replaced by the store we see today where numerous businesses have been located over the years and which has recently been converted to a residence. The frame house was removed in 1909 and the present brick home built in its place, the Georgian façade added during the 1970s. The current owner is R. C. Clifton.
#11 107 Park Street - Rick and Susan Humphreys have recently restored this c .1834 home to become the Black Dog Inn and added an ell to the rear. An empty and derelict property before restoration, many architectural features and structural details of the main building were still in place and have been carefully brought back to life. An original basement kitchen is an interesting aspect of the home as well as the stone foundation, clapboard siding with beading and windows.
#12 119 Park Street Built in 1840, this is another restoration by Rick and Susan Humphreys that also features an ell addition. Completed in 2003, many original architectural details of the main structure were saved and restored, including mantels, doors, window casements, floors, baseboards and stairs. It opened as A Tailor's Lodging in 2004, recalling the tailor business of the original 19th century owners' son.
|
|
 |
LocationDowntown Abingdon (View)
304 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
|
Contact
|
