Friday, May 29, 2009

The Accomac Hotel

6a00d8341c3afb53ef0111689d004f970c-320wi Show and Tell Friday, hosted by Kelli at There Is No Place Like Home, seems like the perfect opportunity to take you on a little visit to my cousin Mary’s home in Accomac, Virginia. When you’re through here, please visit Kelli to see what others are showing off.

Mary and Ron live in an old hotel that Ron bought in the mid-70’s in Accomac, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. When he purchased the hotel, the grounds were covered in stuff—vines, trash that neighbors had dumped over their fences, and probably a few varmints. Cleaning up the grounds and planting wonderful and colorful things has been a labor of love, especially for Mary.

eastern shore 061

This Revolutionary War cannon, partially covered in ivy, sits on the front lawn of the hotel and points toward the Accomac County courthouse across the street. Another Revolutionary War cannon sits on the courthouse lawn and points toward the hotel, so if there’s ever a battle, I guess it’ll be a standoff. Incidentally, the courthouse for Accomac County houses the second oldest records in the United States.

eastern shore 064 This is a picture of the back of the hotel with a wonderful porch where we enjoyed breakfast one morning as we watched the birds and squirrels playing. A pair of barn swallows had built a nest at the top of one of the columns, and they kept talking to us as they came and went.

eastern shore 063eastern shore 029 Although Ronnie has put in some newer wells, this one, complete with storage tank, once supplied water for the hotel. This star, made from #4 rebar, hangs on the side of the water tower. I’m sure it must be beautiful when it’s covered in vines. The rebar came from Thomas Steel in Birmingham, which was owned by Ron’s family.

Cherish Sample - Page 012 Mary has lots of daylilies planted on the grounds, but they were not blooming during our visit. However, I did get pictures of some of her wonderful varieties of iris. The dark purple one finally bloomed the morning we left, and I was happy to get a picture. Can you see all of that rich black dirt? I would kill to have that kind of dirt instead of the hard red chert that we have here in Alabama.

eastern shore 023 Near the back of the hotel grounds is this old cemetery. Mary said that she and Ron recently discovered another grave in a brick vault when they were trying to plant some hydrangeas.

Come back next week, and I’ll tell you a little about the history of the hotel.

13 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...

So lovely and history just ooooozing out of every shot.

Susan said...

Oh what an exciting, interesting place!!
Susan

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a lovely place, and filled with such wonderful history. Very interesting place to visit. Hugs, Marty

Carla said...

How wonderful! Thank you for sharing:)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I really enjoyed this post and I look forward to next week. It sounds so quite and peaceful.

Unknown said...

Looks a beautiful and fascinating place.

Thanks for sharing, and have a lovely weekend.

Tara said...

I can't wait to hear and see more. Old buildings fascinate me and I love a good make over picture, before and after!

Dixie said...

Kathy... this is just the best! What a wonderful story... I can't wait to read more! Will you be showing photos of the interior?

and those after photos in your Met Monday post... fantastic... that's the kitchen I want!

Have a blessed weekend. Dixie

i cant decide said...

What a great place to visit.

Tonja said...

What an interesting place! It must be quite an adventure to live in a place with that much history. Do they know anything bout the people who are buried there? I bet that is a story unto itself.

xinex said...

Oh Kathy, what a lovely and charming place. I love old places. I am just afraid of living near a cemetery cause I am a scary cat, lol....Christine

momma said...

wow! what a wonderfully, history-filled place. thanks for sharing :)

Sue said...

Kathy, this place is amazing. I love historic homes and agree with Dixie that you should share some interior pictures of your cousin's home. Can't wait to read more next week when you post some history of this hotel. :-)Sue