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With a population that barely bests 3,000, Berryville
offers a lesson in stick-to-itiveness. When Horace Smithy, in 1964, left the
town a pair of dairy barns along Main Street, his only request was that the
structures be converted into a center for community gatherings, arts, and
education.
A tall order for a small, rural town with limited funds.
But this July, after nearly 50 years of
on-again-off-again planning and fundraising, the Barns of Rose Hill finally
hosted a groundbreaking ceremony. A labor of love, the Barns are now on
their way to being restored as the Smithy family envisioned — thanks to a
collection of committed area leaders and donors, affectionately called the
“barn raisers.”
Berryville Town Manager Keith Dalton and
Assistant Town Manager/Town Planner Christy
Dunkle are among the town's many advocates.
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“It’s just a tremendous level of collaboration and
commitment on the part of the citizens of Berryville and Clarke County,”
says Berryville Town Manager Keith Dalton. “The Barns’ development is one
example of how the efforts of a handful of people and hundreds of
contributors can keep a project moving along.”
The secret in Berryville? Cooperation. Someone has an
idea, brainstorms its feasibility, and the community rallies around it.
Clarke County is one of the smallest counties in
Virginia. But the residents have big plans. Another recent philanthropic
project involved restoring a two-room schoolhouse to become the Josephine
School Community Museum. The original school was built in 1882 to teach the
children of the area’s freed slaves. According to the National Register of
Historic Places, it’s a rare example of a Reconstruction-era schoolhouse
built within a self-contained community.
"Barn raisers," a collection of committed
community supporters, have worked together
tirelessly to move the restoration of the
Barns of Rose Hill forward. |
“This area of Berryville was
called Josephine City,” explains Dorothy Davis, the museum’s president. “It
was a city unto itself, with a grocery store, gas station, restaurant, and
churches. The only thing Josephine City depended on from Berryville was the
mail. You see, the residents of Josephine City weren’t welcomed in
Berryville.”
Davis calls Josephine, the school’s namesake, “an elusive
individual.” Research suggests she was Josephine Williams, the owner of two
lots at the end of Josephine Street, where the school is located, and
probably was a slave of wealthy landowner Edward McCormick. McCormick’s
widow sold 31 one-acre lots to the former slaves after her husband’s death,
following his directive.
Today, the well-appointed, freshly painted school hosts
monthly book clubs and historic research groups focusing on the lives of
African-Americans, in particular those from Clarke County. The museum also
holds a popular Black History Dramatic Reading competition each year for
area elementary students.
As with other endeavors, “the community has been
extremely generous with this project,” says Davis, adding with a smile, “and
it’s still a work in progress.”
Small Town, Big Connections
On weekdays, Berryville bustles with locals darting into
coffee shops and pizza places, catching up on local sports and politics. On
weekends, the downtown population swells as county residents from
surrounding White Post, Boyce, Bluemont, and Millwood visit local produce
stands or fill the bleachers at the county ball fields.
For 15 years, Berryville’s Farmers’ Market — boasting
more than 20 vendors this summer — has treated locavores to such fresh fare
as Mackintosh Farm’s leafy lettuces, Tadpole Acres’ aromatic herbs, and
Carl’s Breads’ hearty Brigadier General loaves.
By population, Berryville Main Street is the smallest
participant in the Virginia Main Street program. But that doesn’t keep the
town from innovating. One of the latest additions to downtown is the Fire
House Gallery, which opened this year. Representing more than 50 local
artists, the eclectic gallery showcases works ranging in price from $2 to
more than $20,000.
The recently opened Fire House Gallery.
Robin Couch Photo. |
“The Fire House Gallery is an outlet for the arts
community in this area, and it’s planned to become a key part of our retail
activity,” says Christy Dunkle, Berryville’s assistant town manager and town
planner as well as one of the masterminds behind the gallery. “It’s another
example of the cooperative effort here. You know, if someone is waiting for
a table at the Berryville Grill, the hostess will send them down the street
to explore the gallery while they wait.”
Under Clarke County’s I-can’t-believe-this-is-here
category is White Post Restorations, known internationally for its high-end
work on classic cars. The owner — energetic and neighborly Billy Thompson —
also is one of Clarke County’s most vocal ambassadors. (He passes out lapel
pins that read “I love Clarke County!”) While the garage-style façade of his
compound is understated, his clientele isn’t. The walls are plastered with
photos and penned gratitudes from such clients as hotel magnate Bill
Marriott, actress Stephanie Powers, and comedian Jay Leno. (According to
Thompson, Leno always starts his phone calls with, “Yo, White Post.”) The
firm doesn’t bother to give estimates on its restorations, says Thompson,
whispering, “They cost a fortune.” They simply invoice in $30,000
increments.
Billy Thompson, owner of White Post
Restorations, is one of Clarke County's most
vocal ambassadors. |
As Thompson moves from room to room, he interrupts the
tour to take calls from Florida, Michigan, Maryland, Illinois. “Good
morning. Billy at White Post,” he says cheerfully. One call concerns a 1962
Chevy — a relatively young specimen for White Post Restorations. Typically
working on 10 cars at once, the skilled technicians currently have in house
a 1917 Model T, a 1923 Hudson, and a 1949 Cadillac.
Thompson is close-mouthed about many of his jobs but says
his most unusual restoration was of a 1939 Scarab, built by automotive and
aviation design innovator Bill Stout and owned by his grandson. Debuting in
1935, only nine Scarabs were built.
While White Post Restorations is no longer open for
public tours, the business still plays an important part in Clarke County’s
growth. Thompson never fails to work references to the Shenandoah Valley
into his client conversations, repeatedly referring to Clarke County as “one
of the most beautiful places in the world. Period.” His customers always
agree.
Area Gemology
Just south of the classic car shop is what Town Manager
Dalton calls “one of the gems” of the area: Blandy Experimental Farm and the
State Arboretum of Virginia.
Graham Blandy made his fortune in the stock market in the
early 1900s and purchased the 912-acre Tuleyries estate in Clarke County as
a summer place. He eventually donated 712 acres and a large stone building
once used as slave quarters to the University of Virginia — with two
stipulations: The university must use the acreage to teach modern farming
methods and must call the complex Blandy Experimental Farm.
Today, the “quarters” on the grounds house the staff and
volunteer offices as well as the headquarters of the Virginia Native Plant
Society, the American Boxwood Society, and the Northern Shenandoah Valley
Audubon Society.
The expansive Blandy Experimental Farm,
dubbed the Commonwealth's Public Garden, is
one of Berryville's gems. |
Open 365 days a year, Blandy is called the Commonwealth’s
Public Garden, “a living museum and outdoor laboratory.” More than 8,000
trees and woody shrubs grow here, including examples of more than half of
the world’s pine species. Japanese Cedar, Chinese Juniper, Oriental
Arborvitae, Arizona Cypress, Carolina Laurel Cherry, Eastern Redbud — all
are cultivated and well-marked for both the casual observer and the devout
arborist. And the farm’s simple signage beckons visitors to explore paths to
the Pollination Garden, Herb Garden, Rain Garden, Native Plant Trail, and a
wonderfully secluded Picnic Grove.
When you’re finished at the Arboretum, relax and head for
Veramar Vineyard along Route 7 in eastern Berryville. Award-winning Veramar
is a family-owned and -operated winery, with son Justin Bogaty taking the
role of wine maker. Veramar recently added four awards from the 2010 San
Francisco Chronicle’s wine competition to its collection of medals.
“We now have three world-class wines, and that’s a pretty
big deal for a vineyard of our size,” says Laurie Orr, manning the tasting
room.
On a weekday afternoon in June, the tasting room is busy
with visitors from Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and as far away as Sweden
(yes, Sweden). Inside, freshly cut flowers decorate the small, bistro-like
tables. Outside, a stone patio with a fountain, elegant statuary, and a
comfortable canopied sitting area overlook the vineyard.
Veramar Vineyard |
Veramar’s wine tastings typically include eight
selections, including the vineyard’s signature Rooster Red (think black
cherries, red berries, and spices) and Pink Chicken (sweet grapefruit,
strawberry, and pomegranate). In the winter, says Orr, the rich aroma of
spiced mulled wine fills the tasting room. As a prelude to summer weekends,
Veramar routinely hosts Friday Wine Downs, often featuring “wine-a-ritas,” a
variation on margaritas that replaces tequila with a refreshing Seyval
Blanc. “That’s always popular,” says Orr, with a grin.
Spokes in the Wheel
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’ll find
Berryville and Clarke County’s plate of events and activities uniquely
upscale — and ever expanding, thanks to the town’s contagious collaborative
mood.
“We’ve tried to really think about where we’re going to
be in 25 years,” explains Town Manager Dalton. “Our bottom line is to try to
create a sustainable community, where you can get everything you need. And
that’s not easy. To keep a community vital, we need diversity. They’re all
spokes in the wheel — the restaurants, the arts, the recreation. That’s what
we’re all working on.”
And doing so admirably.
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If You Go …
Blandy Experimental Farm and the State Arboretum of Virginia —
There’s no way you’ll be able to take in all that this wonderfully wild and
beautiful research estate has to offer — but do try. Open dawn to dusk, 365 days
a year. Free. Public picnic grounds and designated horse trails.
www.virginia.edu/blandy.
Virginia National Golf Course
— Who can resist golfing in the lush greenery along
the Shenandoah River? A stunningly beautiful — and slow-paced, if you like — 18
holes. Plus, the course is at the site of the 1864 Battle of Cool Springs, the
only Civil War encounter in Clarke County. www.virginianational.com.
Veramar Vineyard — Open year-round, this family-owned winery
hosts some pleasingly unique community events, ranging from screening a classic
movie on the lawn to offering “port and a cigar” on the porch. Perfect for a
midweek rendezvous, complete with award-winning wines available for impromptu
tastings, not to mention the romantic views. www.veramar.com.
Long Branch Historic House and Farm — On the eastern edge of
Clarke County, this elegant early 1800s home and gardens — filled with 18th- and
19th-century furnishings from Europe and the U.S. — is open to the public. The
well-attended flagship event is the annual Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon,
Wine, and Music Festival, in its 14th year. www.historiclongbranch.com.
Audley Farm — This 3,000-acre expanse is recognized as one of
the top horse farms in the country. (Triple Crown winner Sir Barton hailed from
Audley.) A little-known fact: It also was home to Nelly Parke Custis Lewis,
George Washington’s step-granddaughter. Audley was purchased by George’s cousin,
Warner Washington, in 1764, and the Washington family owned the estate for 138
years. www.audleyfarm.com.
Back Roads Century 100-Mile Bike Ride
— The Potomac Pedalers Touring Club starts its annual ride in Berryville on
Sept. 19.
“Cycling in Clarke County is amazing,” says Assistant Town
Manager Christy Dunkle, who’s an avid biker. “The back roads are just wonderful.
You pass gorgeous horse farms and you have to deal with very little traffic.”
www.backroadscentury.org.
Dinosaur Land — Yes, it’s campy but oh-so-much fun, especially
if you have little ones. Dinosaur replicas are life-sized (well, almost) and
spread throughout a forest along Route 340. www.dinosaurland.com.
Watermelon Park — You’ll enjoy all kinds of camping —
primitive, tent, trailer — and periodic musical events. But, better yet, the
park is well-equipped with colorful tubes that float you leisurely down the
Shenandoah River. (And, yes, the 26 acres once was a huge watermelon garden.)
www.watermelonpark.com.
The Bears Den Trail — If you’re in the mood for heavy hiking,
trek along the Appalachian Trail on the Bears Den Trail at the northeast corner
of Clarke County. A fantastic view of the Shenandoah Valley from a rock overlook
and a peek at the old stone Bears Den Lodge are worth the hoofing.
www.bearsdencenter.org.
Berryville Farmers’ Market — The fresh offerings span from
veggies and fruits to artisan breads to handmade soaps. Try the sugar-crusted
ginger cookies at the Magnolia Girls’ stand. Heavenly.
Clarke County Historical Association Museum — A new addition
to downtown Berryville, the museum uses displays, video, and artifacts to
illustrate the movement of settlers into the area. www.clarkehistory.org.
Mr. B’s Bar-B-Que — A local eatery you can’t miss. On a recent
Sunday afternoon, the line trailed out the door and the picnic tables in the
nearby shade were filled. Tangy pork and chicken barbecue with all that’s
expected — baked beans, cole slaw, collard greens. Mr. B himself was nowhere to
be found, but that didn’t keep the crowds from forming.
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