The Totten House

"This house, approximately three miles northeast of Lewisburg, is one of the earliest homes of a permanent character to be found in this area. Built in 1796, the same year as Old Stone Church, it was erected by its pastor, the Reverend Benjamin Grigsby, who served from 1794 to 1803. Shortly after his arrival in Greenbrier he had purchased a 1,000-acre tract of land upon which the house is located, choosing for its site a bluff above Greenbrier River, about a mile north of Caldwell. Unlike the majority of stone houses in the vicinity, which are constructed of limestone, this one is built of the smooth, brown stones gathered from the nearby river bed — source also of sand for cement. Its proportions and lines are good, and the two large outside chimneys at the end are a distinguishing feature. The extremely thick walls give such complete insulation that inside temperature the year around seldom varies from 72 degrees. For all of its comfort, which was bordering on luxury at a time when log cabins were still the rule among the 200 residents of the village of Lewisburg, the stone house must have been far too distant and inaccessible for its purpose. At any rate, when Doctor McElhenney succeeded Mr. Grigsby as pastor in 1808, he lived in Lewisburg, and later built a brick home within sight of the church. The stone house passed through several ownerships until 1902, since when it has belonged to the Totten family. Present owners and occupants are Mr. and Mrs. Edgar C. Totten and their daughter, Miss Virginia Totten."

"Looking for a place to stay or lodge an overflow of houseguests? The Old Stone Manse on Stonehouse House Road has recently undergone a complete restoration and is ready to receive reservations. The Old Stone Manse was originally built by a young Presbyterian named Beniamin Porter Grigsby in 1796 and served as the first manse for Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, which was built in the same year. Rev. Grigsby had an extensive working farm which totaled over a thousand acres and covered nearly the entire valley from what is now Route 60 to the river's edge and up the surrounding mountainsides. This stone house is nestled in the valley between the mountains, near the Greenbrier River and a stone's throw from the Caldwell access to the Greenbrier River Trail. The property was purchased by Dick and Judie Lewis nearly two years ago and they had their hands full, no pun intended, ever since. A lot of time and effort has gone into completing all of the new necessary repairs, improvements, and renovations to keep the house as historically accurate as possible and to still house all of today's modern conveniences. The old home now serves as their residence with two guestrooms, The Primitive Room and The Meadow Room, decorated in the style of the late 18th and early 19th century. The Primitive Room still has the original wide plank floors with the original exposed in the ceiling. Judie has done a beautiful job stenciling the walls with a colorful primitive period patten and the Lewis have added queen-size pencil post canopy bed for their guests' pleasure. A fully modern bath, decorated in a similar style, the room. This room looks out on the mountains towards the Greenbrier River. The Meadow Room, like the entire upstairs, also has wide plank floors and features a cherry queen-size poster bed. Other period antique furniture is part of the decor a private bath is easily assessed adjacent to e morn. Guest are served a full breakfast in the dining room and can enjoy moments of relaxation in the living room or either of the two porches. A stroll around the gardens in the yard also brings seasonal pleasure. If you enjoy canoeing, biking, fishing, or hiking, the Greenbrier River trail is no more than three-minute walk away."

"From logs laid two years before the United States became an official country to stones laid before the turn of the 18th century, the Greenbrier Historical Society's Home and Garden Tour. on Saturday, June 13, will take visitor  on a trip through the earliest recorded history of the-GreenbrierValley.

One of Greenbrier Valleys early treasure houses is situated on a bluff above the Greenbrier River near the Greenbrier River Trail. Built in 1796 of stone,

this venerable structure served as the home of Benjamin Grigsby; the second pastor of the Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg. Rev. Grigsby by acquired a patent for 1,050 acres of land as well as other land by deed from

Abraham Huptonstall. The site was beautifully located on a bluff overlooking the Greenbrier River. John Fleshman Montgomery, in his book "History of Old Stone Presbyterian Church 1783-1983," says, "Whatever the reason for his choice of location it can truly be said that he chose a spot of beauty that must have brought him joy and inspiration as he rode forth and a sense of contentment upon the return to his abode." Rev. Grigsby left his ministry at Old Stone in 1801 for a new call in Norfolk, Va., and his property passed through many hands before becoming the home of the Totten family in 1902. More recently it was thoughtfully restored by Richard and Judy Lewis as a bed and breakfast inn. Later, the panoramic views and proximity to Camp Allegheny attracted Dr. and Mrs. David Hunt to purchase the property and make it their own. The home features gracious living room and dining rooms with fireplaces and an entry hall with murals depicting local

history painted by Judy Lewis„ The superlative kitchen is state of the art seamlessly blended in to the- fabric of the early structure. Outdoor spaces

are appealingly integrated into the terrain. "Comfortable, convenient, and colorful" is how Glen and Carol Jewell describe their house built by Jesse B. Bowlin in 1784 on "Hardscrabble Hill? It is the oldest surviving house in Lewisburg. It certainly lives up to those descriptors now that the Jewells have nearly completed their renovation. Mrs. Jewell said, "But one is never truly finished with a house!" Just imagine seeing exposed logs that were

put in place before the United States was born, a fireplace surround from

1750, a dining room ceiling that has never painted, and whitewash

or bright colonial colors throughout. The modern kitchen has cleverly hidden convenience and room for gourmet cook. Many of the special touches were created by Glen Jewell, whose skill was a wood worker is apparent in the furniture he has made as well as his ability to ass modern conveniences while making them look like they belong. He commented that builders usually build a fireplace from the firebox out but he had to construct in from the 1750 fireplace surround from Carol Jewell’s Family home in north Carolina, using custom-made bricks that replicate the originals. Her love of fine fabric is apparent in the upholstery materials and window treatments. She had one room painted to showcase a set of crewel bed hangings which will soon be installed sponsored for the full weekend of Home Tour event include Swift Level; Bella, the Coner Gourmet, Edith’s Store; Watt’s Roost Winery; The Bakery; B Sweet Confectionary’ The General Lewis Inn; Food and Friends; The 19thHole/TLP; the Greenbrier Valley Baking Company; the Greenbrier Sporting club; The Dutch Haus; Fruits of Labor; The Country Vintner; The Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company; The American Beer Company; Stella’s; The Wild Bean; Security Unlimited Access Control; Ronceverte Feed Store; Farmers Home Fire Insurance Company, and more. For more information call the Greenbrier Historical Society at 304-645-3398. Tickets available at the North House Museum and the Greenbrier Convention and Visitors Bureau, are $50 for the gala $30 for

Homes tour Saturday, and $10 for the church tour and concert Sunday afternoon. A combinator ticket can be purchased for $80. The lunch at the church is separately ticketed event and tickets are available for $10. Both the gala and church lunch tickets must be purchased in advance by Monday, June 8. Saturday Home Tour 'tickets and Sunday Church Tour and Concert tickets may be purchased at the door."