The Journey Begins

So we begin. Not just a new blog, but a new chapter in our lives. About three years ago, we decided that we wanted to pursue our dream of owning and operating a bed and breakfast. We knew that we didn’t want just any house; it had to have some historic significance. We both love history and have always wanted to preserve it. We started by taking small weekend trips to different parts of Virginia and visiting historic sites and bed and breakfast homes. After about one year, a pattern started to emerge. That’s when we started narrowing our search area.

After another year of looking, we seemed to be hitting a wall. We visited some beautiful homes. But when we pulled in, we always seem to find something that didn’t click. Either it had too much repair work that needed to be done, or it didn’t have a large enough area for events like weddings. Or it was too far from anything. Or one of us would like it, but the other just couldn’t see us there. It got frustrating very quickly.

Then one day, while I was searching the internet for a bed and breakfast for sale, I came across an ad for a historic home. It would have been easy to miss it if I had not been paying attention. But as soon as I saw it, I knew it was right. I quickly got on the phone and we made an appointment to see it two days later. That was July 12, 2011.

When we drove into the driveway, I could feel my heart racing. I had seen extra pictures of the home that the property manager sent via email. I was just hoping it would be everything we had hoped for. Boy we were in for a huge surprise. It was everything and more. As we walked the floors and viewed the rooms, I could already see us there, entertaining guests and greeting visitors. It has been pain stakingly restored and the history spans from the late 1600s. And it is a plantation. This was the one.

And so the journey began. We have been working over the last ten months to put together a business plan that would reach the standards of this house. We have spent countless hours researching other bed and breakfast businesses, researching the history of the home and area (which there is a ton of), visiting local businesses and planning out what we wanted for our bed and breakfast. We are now in the final stage of preparing to sign contracts and taking a giant leap into business ownership. We know that once we sign the contract, all the work and waiting will seem like nothing compared to the mad rush that will follow. But we are ready for it. We know we are heading in the right direction and have many family and friends that have been and will continue to support and encourage us.

So this blog is to document our journey. During our research into the history of this home, we have learned documentation is very import to preserve the past. That is what this is all about. At this point, we are not able to reveal the name of the property or its location until everything is signed. But believe us; you will be amazed at this home, property and its important place in history. We can’t wait to share it with you!

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