Secluded from the modern world and nestled among the quiet grandeur of centuries-old trees, there is a place in the Middle Peninsula which is frozen in the past.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register, the Inn at Warner Hall is the ancestral home of two of the most influential colonists in history: the first President of the United States, George Washington, and famous explorer of the western U.S., Meriwether Lewis.
“The second floor porch area is very popular to sit in a rocker and just let your mind drift back to a gentler time.” ~Troy Stavens
Located in Gloucester on the banks of the Severn River, the Inn is part of a historic plantation which was established in 1642 when the land was given from the British Crown to Augustine Warner. Warner, a loyalist politician who served as a member of the King’s Council in Virginia, was George Washington’s great-great-grandfather and an ancestor of both Robert E. Lee and Queen Elizabeth II.
Although time has changed much of the surrounding landscape, the Warner Plantation has remained remarkably untouched by the encroachment of modern society on natural spaces, meaning that visitors can enjoy the same views George Washington once saw in his youth. Built on the foundations of the original Warner Hall, which burned in 1740, the vistas visible throughout the Inn give visitors a glimpse into history through every window pane.
“If you look out toward the Severn River, the landscape hasn’t really changed at all and your view hasn’t changed much since Augustine Warner came there in 1642. Pretty amazing that you don’t see power lines, you don’t see any other homes. It just looks very similar to probably what they were drawn to when he was gifted the property from Charles I,” said co-owner Troy Stavens.
Since its construction in the 17th century, Warner Hall was exclusively used as a private residence until it was converted into an inn by Troy and his wife, Theresa Stavens, 20 years ago.
“We were in our late 30s, so we were eager beavers, I guess you could say: willing to take it on,” said Stavens. “My wife, Theresa, always wanted to do something hospitality-wise, and this place really spoke to us. It had a history of being a great home.”
Under their stewardship, the Hall was restored to its former glory. They spent two years in consultation with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources working to make the Inn historically accurate and to preserve it as much as possible.
An archeological study of the property also was commissioned by the Stavenses during this time. This study, conducted by Dr. David Brown and Thane Harpole, uncovered new information about the history of the Hall and the structures on its grounds. Their research has been compiled into a book titled Warner Hall: Story of a Great Plantation.
“They found an awful lot of artifacts from coins to old pieces of pottery and glass and white clay pipes and different things in many different places,” said Troy.
In 2001, the Inn opened for business with 11 rooms available for visitors, each named after a different historical figure with connections to the Hall.
Although the historical charm of the Inn has been preserved, from its grand staircases to its stately library, it is also equipped with modern amenities which discreetly incorporate the comforts of staying in a luxury hotel into this secluded manor.
“If you look out toward the Severn River, the landscape hasn’t really changed at all and your view hasn’t changed much since Augustine Warner came there in 1642. Pretty amazing that you don’t see power lines, you don’t see any other homes. ~Troy Stavens
“We don’t want to make it feel like you’re going to a hotel. It’s more like you’re visiting a friend and staying in one of their guest rooms. Much different than a normal regular hotel that you stay at on a trip,” Troy said.
The Inn features several cozy spots to observe the splendor outside including a glassed in sun room, a second story porch with a sweeping view of the property, a boathouse, and a riverside porch where guests are fond of breakfasting.
“The second floor porch area is very popular to sit in a rocker and just let your mind drift back to a gentler time,” said Troy.
Visitors of the Inn may note that it attracts a diverse crowd of visitors, according to Troy, who said many of their guests are descendants of the historical figures who once occupied Warner Hall.
“A lot of our guests are descendants. Now with the popularity of ancestry.com and the internet and everything else, you can find a lot more about some of their ancestry and this is one of the early plantations so a lot of people’s roads will end up with descendants from Warner Hall,” Troy said.
Warner Hall is currently for sale and accepting offers. According to Troy, they are hoping to sell the property to people who will also consider themselves stewards of the historical land and who will preserve it.
“They’ll be the next stewards of the property, making sure it makes it another 20 years,” said Troy.
