Weekend at Littlepage Inn

March 15, 2008 marked the anniversary of David and me together for seven years. We have been married for five years, but the 15th is special because that's when we had our official first date. On March 15, 2001, we went to a restaurant called Phillips in Tyson's Corner. I ordered the prawns, David had seafood Alfredo, and we talked about the Holocaust. Later, we went back to his place where we were good kids and didn't misbehave as much as much as you might want to think.

But now, seven years later on the 15th, we wanted a romantic getaway. We got one!

If you ever take a trip to Virginia, be sure to visit a little town called Mineral where the most amazing inn, Littlepage, will bring you back to the Federalist era. The plantation, called Prospect Hill, sits between little farm towns and Lake Anna. The main house, built in 1811, is almost all original. We were fortunate to have arrived early in the season when the main house was empty. So we got the grand tour, including all the bedrooms and bathrooms the place offers.

Below is the main hallway as we entered the house. The other photo shows the landing near one of the bedrooms.

The Inn has several lovely, original sitting rooms with furniture and artwork dating back to the early 1800's. The fireplaces and most of the woodwork are intact.

The owner explained how his family came to manage this place and how he grew up in this house. David and I couldn't even imagine growing up in a house like this, but we had fun trying! I wondered how a childhood in a home like this would affect one's future (outside of becoming an inn-owner, of course). We pictured the girls running up the long stairs, bouncing from room to room, the house creaking under their feet.

One of the sitting rooms has photo books showing the various renovations. I was completely taken in by the contract to build the place, written up by the Holladays, the original owners. But even more amazing were the letters, one in particular from Mrs. Holladay to Mr. Holladay while he was traveling to New York. In the letter, she laments his absence and reminds him she is slightly jealous of his visiting exciting places.

The other piece that caught my attention was a poem Mr. Holladay wrote about missing his home on Prospect Hill. The handwriting and diction were very much still 18th century feeling, so I stumbled through my reading of both.

This incredible piano is original. Below is one of the bedrooms and gorgeous furniture in one of the sitting rooms. The trinkets and many of the books on the shelves date back to the 18-1900's.

The inn is surrounded by pasture and gardens. There are also "out buildings" including a full cottage. Below is one of the outbuildings.

Beside the pool, we discovered the family cemetery. Among the other family members, three infants are buried there. Most of the Holladays, though, seemed destined for longer lives, living well into their sixties, seventies, and eighties.

Below is the East Barn, where we stayed. The barn has been renovated into three suites. Ours was called the "Lady's Suite." The bedroom is upstairs, the sitting area with fireplace downstairs. This was a great setup because it afforded much more privacy than the usual bed and breakfast arrangement.

Between the suites, guests share a kitchen where the owners supply breakfast food for cooking. We liked this because there was no need to be at the main house at a specified time. It also meant we could bring in our own food to store and cook.


Our bedroom...very cute and "period." The beams and framework of the barn are original.

Behind the outbuildings are the most wonderful pastures and...COWS! Now, I love cows. I actually asked the owner if I could pet them. He looked at me in that way some people do that I have gotten used to. The calves were still young, and the moms didn't like people getting near the calves. I told him I understood. I still wanted to pet the cows, though. I didn't. If angry moms didn't make sure of that, the bull DID!

They were talkative things, mooing to one another all night long. Their moos echoed across the pastures. Saturday morning, we walked out there, and they stared at us, then started to complain to one another. I don't think they liked the camera pointed at them.

This is a stable in the pasture behind the East Barn.
We visited the pump-house packed inside with antique tools and bowls made from dried squash skins. A steep wooden ladder leads to the next floor. In spite of my knee problems, I HAD to go check it out. Hubby indulged me with a picture from the window I opened above.
Among other attractions in the garden are ivy clad arbors. The Inn is a popular place for weddings; the arbors, no doubt, make for lovely photos!

The dinner bell near the pasture and the early blooming gardens.....

Sometimes, you don't know how much stress you have been under until you go away on a little trip like this one. The plethora of birds---bluebirds, cardinals, hawks, blue jays, woodpeckers, mockingbirds---the ancient trees, and the calm pastures soothed me in ways I forgot I could be. And of course, the company and celebration of being together made this a memorable weekend!