By Sarah Richardson
With tickets now on sale for the 39th annual Greenbrier Valley Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, June 8, the descriptions for the seven homes on the tour have been released. Houses on the tour this year include Spring Valley Farm located at Second Creek, The Stone House aka “The Capone House” in White Sulphur Springs, the Venable-Mathew-Moore home on Washington Street in Lewisburg, Mirapaso in Lewisburg, The Lafayette House in downtown Lewisburg, the Andrew Edwards Victorian cottage in Lewisburg, and the Leadman/Kohn house on Church Street in White Sulphur Springs.
- Leadman/Kohn – 120 Church Street, White Sulphur Springs, was originally built in 1897. The house was purchased in 2020 by Drew Leadman and Megan Kohn, and renovation began. The home has its original room layout both up and down with updated kitchen and baths. The biggest surprise was the discovery of walled-up windows in multiple locations. Drew says the home’s parlor and large porch are reminders of a quieter time and urge the couple away from their busy electrified lives.
- Spring Valley Farm – This farm is currently a wedding venue and working cattle farm, and was historically known at the Richard Dickson Farm. Located just over the Monroe County line at Second Creek, the house was placed on the Historic Register in 1974, and Henry Clay stayed here during one of his presidential campaigns. According to wvculture.org, “The Dickson home on Second Creek in Monroe County, WV, began as a two-story log cabin built by John Knox in the late 1700s. In 1834 the property was purchased by Richard Dickson, Knox’s brother-in-law, who extensively enlarged the structure between 1837 and 1841 with the addition of the main, or big house, to the original log unit.”
- The Stone House: Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Coonts – The Stone House at 749 Stone Creek Lane is often referred to by White Sulphur natives as “the Capone House.” Legend has it the Chicago mobster owned the house in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The stone heart of the house was built in the 18th to 19th century style with a fireplace in each room and an entirely stone structure rather than wood. The house was likely built in the late 19th century and renovated in the late 1920s, when a kitchen and other rooms as well as electricity and indoor plumbing were added. The present owners renovated from 2020-2023, updating all the home’s additions and utilities.
- Venable-Mathew-Moore Home – Referred to as the Venable-Mathew-Moore home (named after previous owners) on Washington Street in Lewisburg, this home was originally built in 1850 and expanded in 1870. Located in Lewisburg’s Historic District, this 17 room, two-story home is a blend of Neoclassical and Victorian era architecture. Construction is wood frame and lap cedar siding with oak hardwood floors, its most distinctive features outside are its 16 Queen Anne style windows and inside, its high ceilings and large bright rooms which were unusual for the period. The parlor and ballroom, with their bright airy space, as well as the dining room with its beautiful built-in leaded glass cabinetry are so far our favorite spaces (it’s hard to choose only one). Renovation began two years ago- come see the improvements.
- Mirapaso – This Mediterranean style house was built in 1926-1929 by Mr. and Mrs. Waller C. Hardy from Charleston, WV, as their summer home near the top of Caldwell Hill in Lewisburg. The Hardy’s named the house “Mirapaso” which is Spanish for “view of the pass.” The pool was built during the initial construction and was one of the first pools in the area. This estate features six bedrooms and four full baths and three half baths. The guest house has three bedrooms and two full baths.
- Lafayette House – Built in 1794, The Lafayette House at 332 Lafayette Street in Lewisburg is a beautifully appointed property boasting modern comforts while maintaining integrity of the historic home. Hand hewn beams, knotty wood floors and exposed brick walls give a cozy, nostalgic feel. Guests of this vacation rental are able to enjoy peaceful relaxation surrounded by oak leaf hydrangea, forsythia, and English ivy as well as being just steps away from exploring all that downtown Lewisburg has to offer. It is lovely space in a truly lovely place.
- Andrew Edwards – This charming Victorian cottage with a wraparound porch was built in Lewisburg in 1897. There are numerous custom features but he has not changed the original footprint of the home. You will notice many unique types of wood brought here from LA. The home is resplendent of magnificent art. Located at 324 Lafayette Street, Lewisburg.
Tickets for the Home and Garden Tour are available for $25 at the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The General Lewis, Gillespie’s Flowers, at the door of each home on the tour, and by each garden club member. This event is sponsored by the WVGCI and the Greenbrier Valley garden clubs for civic beautification projects throughout the area. The tour is held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.
For more information, visit www.greenbriervalleyhomeandgardentour.com, or follow the “Greenbrier Valley Home and Garden Tour” Facebook page.
