2008 FINCASTLE HOLIDAY HOME TOUR & MARKETPLACE
Saturday
December 13, 2008
Sponsored by Historic Fincastle, Inc. (HFI)

Tour: 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Market Place Open from 9:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

This is going to be a delightful tour of homes in and around the Historic Town of Fincastle, VA. For those who are not familiar with Fincastle, it served as the County Seat of Botetourt County when the county boundaries stretched as far northwest as the present day city of Chicago and followed the Mississippi River south from that point to the boundaries of North Carolina. The town was founded and named in 1772. At that time, it was a frontier town and the last outpost before the Great Wilderness. Today this quiet town still serves as the county seat of Botetourt County and is home to a unique blend of homes and gardens.

Tickets will be $15.00 or $12.00 for HFI members. On the day of the tour all tickets will be sold at the Marketplace located in the Volunteer Fire Department Building on Route 220 North next to the Dollar General Store being constructed. Market Place is open from 9:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Non-refundable tickets can be purchased in advance by calling: (540) 992-2647.

Homes on Tour:

Douglas Building - Circa 1879 -The Douglas Building sits proudly on Main Street across from the Court House in historic Fincastle. It is a two story brick building with double front porches built on a stone foundation that encloses a basement. The original structure dates back to the early 1820’s. The building may have burned in the great fire of 1870 and was rebuilt on the old foundation. It was owned by J. W. Douglas from 1891-1932 and is referred to as the Douglas Building. It houses three fireplaces with original mantles. The original brick is exposed within the building and the rock foundation can be seen in the basement. The Douglas Building has served many diverse functions throughout the century. It has been a private residence, restaurant, hair salon, and office building. It is currently occupied by the financial planning firm of Barkett Allen Capital, LLC and is owned by Barkett Allen Swanson, LLC. The Douglas Building is undergoing historic rehabilitation through the Commonwealth of Virginia department of historic resources.

Hunter’s Hill - Circa 1939 - This home has a commanding view of Main Street in Historic Fincastle. The home was built and designed by Viola and Hunter Painter and remained in the Painter family until Viola’s death in 1989. Hunter’s Hill is owned by Viola’s granddaughter Carol, and her husband, Alan Brenner. The Brenner’s have patiently and lovingly restored features of the house including rebuilding porches, adding a front portico and a completely remodeled kitchen. The home has high ceilings and oak floors throughout. The living room mantle is believed to be from the historic Kyle House (circa 1830) on Main Street in Fincastle.

Hancock House - Circa 1786 - This lovely cottage-type home from the early period of Fincastle was built by George Hancock of Santillane. One wonders if he built this for himself or some of the tradesmen coming into the Fincastle area. The original structure is log and consisted of two rooms with a sleeping loft. Over the years several additions/changes have taken place making this a very comfortable home for today. The home is tastefully decorated with period antiques and beautiful art, some of which have been painted by the current owner.

Israel Christian Home - Circa 1772 - This home is thought to be the oldest house in Fincastle. The original structure is a one-story log building constructed in 1772 by Israel Christian. A second floor was added above the log structure sometime thereafter. When Israel Christian moved on, he left the home to one of his slaves, Becky Holmes. In 1811, a post and beam addition was constructed to the east of the log structure. Shortly thereafter, the entire house was covered in clapboard. A rear addition was added at some point, probably in the late 1800s. This was upgraded and added to in the 1930s. A sleeping porch was added most likely in the late 1800s or early 1900s. In the interior, all rooms are connected directly to each other; there are no hallways. In the past several years this home has undergone a complete restoration taking great care to preserve original flooring, woodwork and clapboard as much as possible.

James Matten Early Cabin - Circa 1796 - This building was built between 1796 and 1798 of rough – hewn logs by the town tailor, James Matten Early and was completely restored by Historic Fincastle, Inc. Today it serves as the Fincastle Museum and is furnished with period antiques from Fincastle and Botetourt County. Sam Winkler, a member of the Roanoke Valley Unit of the Herb Society of America will be giving several talks throughout the day on herbs used in Holiday Celebrations during the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Hawkshead Farm - Circa 2005 - Hawkshead Farm is a residential horse property, completed in April of 2005. The house is a stone and cedar ‘Greek Revival’ with a casual English country manor style. Designed by the owners and architect John Fulton engineered by Lindal Cedar Homes and built by Morgan & Morgan, the house sits on property that was originally part of the Muse family farm, which dates to the early 1800’s. The farm takes its name from a beautiful rural town in the Lake District of England, home of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth.

Bolton’s Hill - Circa 1973 - Built on land purchased in 1967, the residence of Joe Anna (deceased) and Norman (Corky) Bolton began as a stable for horses. In an effort to improve the land the Bolton’s hired a local master carpenter, Lewis C. Summers, to build a two-horse stable in 1973. This stable became the basic starting point for the Bolton’s retirement home that Mr. Summers completed in the summer of 1980. The basic structure of the stable has remained including the original siding and some of the tin roof. The entrance and foyer were the original tack room, the living room is where the two horse stalls stood and the tiny galley kitchen was the feed room. Upstairs in the hayloft, the master bedroom and bath complex was designed. All in all, a compact, yet entirely charming living space where horses never roamed.

Valley Vista - Circa 1960 - This home is a lovely Cape Code home situated on a low ridge just west of Fincastle. The home was originally built in the 1960’s and a beautiful chalet style addition was added at a later date. From every window in the home you are able to see scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah and Roanoke Valleys and the many steeples of Fincastle. Valley Vista is exquisitely decorated with beautiful furnishings and delightful art.

Marketplace - The Marketplace will be held in the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department building on Rt. 220 North. This venue will feature local and regional artists selling wonderful items for that last minute gift or home decoration. You will also find several local non-profit organizations selling food that will be satisfying to the sole. Historic Fincastle, Inc. (HFI) souvenirs will be for sale at this location, including the newly reprinted popular hardback pictorial history of Fincastle, Around Town! This year HFI is introducing the first in a series of beautiful Fincastle Christmas ornaments. The 2008 ornament features the Big Spring Park. Beginning at 1:00 pm and continuing until 3:30 pm HFI will be serving light refreshments to anyone holding a ticket for the home tour. So plan on a nice, relaxing afternoon on the Holiday Home
Tour and Marketplace while enjoying the Christmas Spirit that will be sure to overtake you in Fincastle!

Corporate Supporters:

Funded in part from a grant from the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Bank of Fincastle

Barkett Allen

Historic Fincastle, Inc.

For more information on the above, please call 473-3077.

Please click here for a printable PDF regarding the Holiday Home Tour