Some homes have yards and some have grounds, like English manors. This classic 1906 Victorian on the edge of downtown Lewisburg is tucked out of sight, surrounded by majestic old-growth trees and lush plantings reminiscent of a grand estate. A restoration project, the 10-room home is full of history and has a to-die-for location only a stone’s throw from shops, restaurants and cultural activities.
A private road near the General Lewis Inn winds through this large, mostly fenced property, which fronts on two quiet streets in a little traveled neighborhood. A stone sidewalk leads to the home’s wraparound porch, where it isn’t hard to imagine a swing or a glider and some rocking chairs.
An entryway protected by a storm door opens into an entrance hall with a corner fireplace with a wood mantel and slate hearth, and a built-in corner bookcase. The nearby living room also has a fireplace and crown molding. The living room connects to a wood-paneled study with a built-in bar, built-in bookshelves, cabinets and filing drawers, and a window seat with a storage bin. This room has crown molding and a ceiling fan.
The spacious kitchen has plenty of counter space and a built-in desk. The kitchen opens into a formal dining room with bay windows and a chandelier, warmed by a fireplace with a wood mantel and slate hearth. The dining area has 3 tall built-in display shelf units.
The master bedroom and bath are on the main floor. The master bedroom has two cedar-lined closets and a ceiling fan. The master bath has a tile floor and walls, and a tiled shower-tub.
Also on the main level are a half-bath, a large coat closet and a laundry area.
An attractive leaded glass window is the first thing that catches the eye at the top of the staircase on the second level. Four additional bedrooms are located on this floor. One has bay windows and a built-in bookcase. Two bedrooms have cedar-lined closets and fireplaces. The fourth bedroom is smaller, tucked in the rear of the house, and possibly once served as a servant’s quarters. There are two upstairs bathrooms, both tiled. One has a shower-tub, and the other a shower.
Also on the second level are a walk-in storage closet with built-in shelving, and an enclosed multi-purpose landing at the top of a back staircase.
A 2-bay detached garage is near the house. One bay is a convenient pull-through, the other is enclosed.
The mostly level to gently sloping yard is a gardener’s delight, with mature landscaping and plenty of room for flowers and vegetables, and even a greenhouse or high tunnel. It’s not hard imagining weddings or receptions in this grand outdoors setting.
Historic Lewisburg offers the best of small town living, with shopping, fine dining, a lively arts scene, year-round festivals, the nearby annual State Fair of West Virginia, and proximity to outdoor sporting activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting, golfing and skiing. The historic Greenbrier, a world-class luxury resort on 10,000 acres, hosts an annual PGA tournament, serves as the summer training camp for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, and has a wide variety of restaurants and shops open to the public.
An intriguing property in an ideal location, Hickory Hill is country manor in the middle of town.
