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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... |
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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 |
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Above: The Hatchers' fields of cotton just after Thanksgiving, 2013 -- it reminded him of a promise. ...read more... |
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BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN HOME TOUR
First-Ever Showing of Historic Homes
on the Blue Ridge
ART IN THE FOOTHILLS, 9th annual, in the Lodge at Boulder Crest Retreat foir veteran and military wellness.
Art Show, October 18-20; Home Tour, October 19, 2013
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. |
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"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.) |
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 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... |
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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... |
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| Two Newly Received Antique Documents from Bluemont |
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Here are two contributions to our ongoing project of visualizing life and commerce in old Bluemont:
1) Invoice from the Silicott Store in Snickersville, 1877
2 Promotional "pin-up" from Otto Kelley, Builder and Contractor.
...more...
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 1936 Postcard from Munich
to
Selsenhorst on the Blue Ridge
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... |
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 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... |
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"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. |
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Rejoin Friends of Bluemont for 2014 and help us save our Bluemont heritage.
Membership
Is Due NOW!
TWO WAYS to pay your dues --
Use PayPal to join, contribute, or visit our gift store online.
~Email us at friendsofbluemont@gmail.com |
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| Download THE LOG BOOK,our newsletter on Snickersville Academy restoration and other news about Bluemont. (Summer 2013 issue.) |
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| Read about the HISTORY of Bluemont! |
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| Read all our stories on restoring Bluemont's 1825 SNICKERSVILLE ACADEMY... |
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BluemontVA.org
Is published
by
Friends
of Bluemont
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Join, contribute, or shop online using PayPal!
Join or contribute using U.S. postal mail.
Email us at friendsofbluemont@gmail.com |
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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
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Bluemont Note Cards
Featuring 3 scenes of Bears Den based on antique postcards.
For
details & to purchase... |
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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. |
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