GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – The Greenbrier Historical Society is planning an exceptional historic Home Tour Weekend in the Frankford/Renick area of the Greenbrier Valley. The weekend will begin with a presentation by Dr. Sarah McCartney at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13, in the auditorium of the New River Community and Technical College with refreshments on the lawn at the North House, and conclude on Saturday, June 14 with the Home and History Tour from 10-4 pm. This is a major fundraiser for GHS and virtual tickets for all events as well as ticket packages are available on the GHS website https://bit.ly/ghshometourtickets.
Following the McCartney presentation on the history of the Spring Creek area, now known as Frankford and Renick, guests will be able to tour the beautiful farmland as well as some significant properties on Saturday, June 14. Visitors who have purchased virtual tour tickets can claim their wrist bands and brochure/map at any site and sites can be visited in any order. Day-of tickets can be purchased by cash/check at any site or by credit card at the North House Museum or by using a phone to connect to the GHS website.
John Stuart came to the Frankford/Renick area from his home near Staunton as early as 1767, to hunt and explore. Stuart was so taken with the land that he bought acreage from original patent holder Col. Frogg. By 1769 Stuart built a log cabin which he named Grumble Thorp, about a half mile west of present-day Frankford. Within a year Stuart also built the first grist mill in the area; this mill was ingeniously powered by the flow of water at the mouth of a large cave. Circa 1820, he built a substantial brick house on this land near Frankford for his son, Charles Agustus Stuart. The original house was likely three rooms down and three rooms up with an entrance hall and detached kitchen. Now encompassing more than 13,000 square feet and sitting on 2000 acres, this house, known as the Charles Stuart House, is owned by the Long family. The Longs also invite you to take a drive through the beautiful grazing land with thousands of fat Angus cattle on your way to other sites. This farm lane will be marked with signs.
The Bright-Wilson house is a large farmhouse that includes an original interior two-story log portion, with thick walls and hand carved mantles, and later frame additions made possible by the prosperous agricultural undertakings of the owners. It was the residence for a farm often described as “adjacent” to the town of Frankford in the deed records, though today it feels almost “downtown.” The farm was assembled and operated by the Bright, Reader, McClung, Gillilan, and Wilson families from the late 18th century to the present. Present owner William Wilson is a great grandson of Jesse F. (Franklin) Bright, who acquired the farm, then called the Richard H. (Hill) Gillilan “homeplace,” from the heirs of Richard H. Gillilan in 1897. This was the same year Jesse married Lelia Graybeal. Jesse orchestrated many of the additions to the two-story original log house and constructed several barns.
Buffalo Ridge is the name current owners, Ron and Jean Slonaker, gave this property paying homage to the buffalo who were raised on the farm and the ridge upon which it lies. This substantial log house has roots in the early history of this area. Deed research indicates it may have been originally built by William R. Beard who acquired 4 acres in the area in 1819; 50 acres in 1828; and an additional 442 acres in 1848. When he passed away in 1871, he left “the tract of land on which I now reside, known as the homeplace” to his son Abraham McNeel Beard. It came with the proviso that Abraham care for his mother and two unmarried sisters. It came into the Spencer family in 1902. Catherine Ruth Spencer Patton Zicafoose, who was born in the house in 1912, remembers this, “We lived in a two-story, old fashioned farmhouse, with two large bedrooms and a very large hall upstairs. Downstairs was a large living room and another large hallway leading to the parlor. This was the original house, which was made of logs. Sometime later a dining room and kitchen were added and the entire house was then weatherboarded.”
The house and land passed to Ken K. Spencer in 1933 and he and his family lived there until 1980. Among the youngsters growing up in the house during this time were twins—Linda and Brenda Spencer who lived there for 29 years. They have fond memories of their experiences and will share them with visitors during the tour.
“Old Renick,” down by the Greenbrier River, will be available to explore with the help of signage which identifies landmarks from bygone days. The Renick Community Center will have a photo and history display to assist with further learning.
Also on the tour will be the Frankford Presbyterian Church and a view of the Bowen-Simmons House and the Renick House. Food will be available at the Frankford Presbyterian Church, Mountain Table, and the Good Roads Bakery in the immediate area as well as all the fine, award winning restaurants in Lewisburg. Dara Vance, Executive Director of GHS, said, “I cannot believe my good fortune to join GHS just before this incredible Home and History Tour Weekend. I have learned so much and am eager to greet all the visitors who come.”
More information and virtual tickets are available online on the GHS website with a discount for early purchase.
