Peggy and I set out to visit a historical place in Altavista, Virginia. It is the Avoca Museum. The beautiful Victorian Plantation House that had once been the home of Colonel Charles Lynch, a Revolutionary soldier. It had been granted to his father by King George 2nd in 1740. As it passed down through the family, it wound up with his niece Mary Anna Dearing Fauntleroy. Ultimately it came to rest with her grandson who deeded it to the town of Altavista.

The town did not have the revenue to refurbish it at that time, 1981. Many things were accomplished with donations and much assistance from the state for $30,000. The Lane Company and Country Living Magazine refurbished with window treatments and furniture with their donations of $85,000. Lots of volunteers have pulled together to make it all work. The historical Society was founded in 1987.  

Now the wonderful old place is beautiful and offers the site for weddings and other grand occasions. The house feels warm and welcoming. One would certainly desire any function at such a wonderful place.

The principle architecture then was a Queen Anne style, but suffered two fires 1879 and 1900. When it was remodeled in 1901, it was then made a very classic Victorian Mansion.

Peggy and I had heard of a ghost story connected with the place so we decided to ask our tour guide. She confirmed that one occasion; there had been dirty stains on one of the lovely blue chairs in the second floor “blue” room. When the guide finished his tour and hastily went back up to get the chair cushion for cleaning, the chair seat was clean and the stains were gone.

In another story the guide told, remodeling was going on in the bathroom upstairs. They often found the commode seat to be up or down without anyone there. And, when workmen came back from lunch one day, all the tiles had been stacked up on the inside of the heavy wooden door, causing it to be hard to push open. No one had been there. Could this be a case of the ghost not wanting things tampered with or things changed?

Peggy and I highly recommend this place as a must see to anyone. It is stunning and will take your breath away with its beauty and rich history, dating all the way back to King George 2nd.

Going into the town of Altavista, down 29 South, take the first exit and head toward town. It will be on the right, beside and on the same driveway as the Rescue Squad, all seen from the road. Costs to tour are minimal. Check out their website at the following web address. http://www.avocamuseum.org/ 

Peggy and Sue