1826 Sampler Commemorates Bluemont's Snickersville Academy
June 16, 2014

A historic sampler has come to light from the earliest days of Snickersville, now called Bluemont.

The elaborately embroidered sampler is decorated with the alphabet in print and script as well as the numerals, festooned with grapes, pineapples, rosebuds, ivy vines, and a weeping willow tree.

It bears the inscription: “Lucy Ann Bradfield, Snickersville Academy, 1826." ...more...

It's Official, Bluemont.... We're Historic!
February 4, 2014

Three new landmark signs, plus one installed near Aldie in 2012, reflect many years of behind-the-scenes work by community leaders. The large, die-cast metal signs, readable from a car or on foot --perform well in transmitting a lot of history quickly.

The new signs are part of a restoration trend that is beginning to re-define Bluemont and shape it again into a Western Loudoun visitors’ destination. The establishment of the Bluemont Mill and Train Station on Railroad Street a few years ago, plus the ongoing projects to restore the E.E. Lake Store and the Snickersville Academy for public use embody this trend. ...read more...

A Christmas Message from Tom and Betty Hatcher
December 10, 2013

We recently have heard from Tom Hatcher, who acted as the lead member of the Hatcher family which in 2010 generously donated the historic Snickersville Academy (founded 1825) to Friends of Bluemont. xx

Above: The Hatchers' fields of cotton just after Thanksgiving, 2013 -- it reminded him of a promise. ...read more...

The final accounting is not done yet, but is safe to say that the Blue Ridge Mountain Home Tour and Art in the Foothills were both fundraising successes -- as well as a wonderful asthetic and learning experiences for visitors. Both Boulder Crest Retreat for veteran and military wellness AND the Snickersville Academy will benefit from the October 18-20 weekend.

Thanks to everyone who made the weekend so special and who supported it. Special thanks to the Virginia Defense Force, which provided traffic management/support on the Day of the Tour, the homeowners, the House Team Leaders, and all the wonderful volunteers -- especially Iris Jones whose flower arrangements "gilded the lily" of the beautiful presentation on the Historic Homes. Special thanks to Betty Potter and the "Foggy Bottom Neighbors" who put on a beautiful and inspiring 9th annual Art in the Foothills.

For more photos, visit Friends of Bluemont on Facebook.

Above: By Purcellville artist Betty Wiley.

"Snickersville Academy Restoration Advances"
By Margaret Morton
LEESBURG TODAY, August 8, 2013

Snickersville Academy restoration and family of long-time resident, Susie Neal, were featured recently in one of Loudoun County's leading newspapers, Leesburg Today. Click HERE to read story online. When in the Leesburg Today story, be sure to click on both "thumbnails" to enjoy both photos.)

Corley Gift Brings Snickersville
Academy Rocking Chair Back Home

This picture shows a little great-great-granddaughter of Susie Neal, the beloved Black housekeeper and cook who lived in the Snickersville Academy building from the 1940s through the 1970s.

On a recent visit to Bluemont, the little girl tried out this antique rocking chair. According to Ronn Spinner, Susie Neal's grandson, this was his grandmother's favorite chair.

Several of the grandchildren of Susie Neal, now themselves grandparents, plan to come to the Snickersville Academy during the Bluemont Fair (September21-22, 2013) to tell stories of visiting their grandmother in Bluemont as children.

The hand crafted rocker was donated to Friends of Bluemont by Don and Linda Corley, who lived in Bluemont for many years.

See story by Margaret Morton in Leesburg Today.

...more...

MARTIN MITCHELL: Eight Decades of Bluemont Lore

Born in 1930, Martin Mitchell is one of the village's longest-term residents.

He is reputed to know more about what happened in Bluemont over the past eight decades than perhaps anyone else.

In a January 2013 interview, he talked about a childhood in the Great Depression; his joyous marriage to "the girl next door," Betty Allder; how he obtained his homestead in Bluemont; and his family life with daughter Sandy Mitchell Cochran, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Later stories will cover his long-time service to and friendship with Bluemont luminary Jerome Fanciulli, publicist of early flight and a Ford Dealer in Virginia and Maryland, and his service at the "Big Dig" at Mount Weather on the Blue Ridge.

...more...

By Les Querry

Good friendships have marked the Blue Ridge Mountain community of unique historic homes since before the turn of the last century. Sometimes these relationships leave traces.

On the right is a picture post card sent to Bluemont from Munich, Germany in 1936 from the Huntington's of "Journeys End" to the Droops of "Selsenhorst."

...more...

Roberta Underwood: A Gift for Storytelling

Born in 1925, raised in Airmont, schooled in Bluemont, and now a resident of Berryville-- Roberta Underwood has a gift for storytelling. In her December 1, 2011 interview, she talked about her early life on her parent's farm, artistic and literary neighbors, a life as a teenager in the war years, and the independent-minded community which started the Bluemont Fair.

"Part I: Beginnings," covers an childhood in the tiny village of Airmont and school days at the Bluemont School. ....more...
"Part II: The War Years," covers how World War II affected the lives of people in Western Loudoun and tells how the annual Bluemont Fair began. .... more...

"Precious, Precious Memories": Marie Scott Recalls Her Life and Times

Born in 1938, Marie Scott comes out of the old Black community of Bluemont. In this interview Marie recalls her family, her childhood, and her working life, during which, for 33 years, she was a well-known presence in the Leesburg office of beloved veterinarian Dr. Kent C. Roberts, and after him, Dr. Chamberlin and Dr. Washington. ...more...

Left: Mary Scott and neighnborhood children play at the Scott's Clayton Hall Road childhood home.

See letter on Marie Scott in Feb 4, 2012 Blue Ridge Leader.

Find additional articles.... 2012...2011... 2010 ... 2009 ...2008

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Email us at friendsofbluemont@gmail.com

Best Book about Bluemont

From Snickersville to Bluemont: The Biography and History of a Village by Jean Herron Smith, Evelyn Porterfield Johnson, and Robert Hoffman.

More...

For ordering information, email friendsofbluemont@gmail.org

Bluemont Note Cards

Featuring 3 scenes of Bears Den based on antique postcards.

For details & to purchase...

If YOUR House Could Talk

Does your house have a story to tell?

In 2009, Friends of Bluemont launched a new project—“If This House Could Talk” —to spotlight homes or other buildings of the Bluemont area – houses up on the mountain, down in the village, and nearby. We will be taking photos, collecting stories, and scanning historic photographs and documents.

Most of Bluemont is outside of the village itself.  We'd love to hear from anyone in the 20135 zip code, or just beyond the official boundary, with something interesting to tell.