It was a drizzly day in mid April, the final full day of our DC/Virginia trip, when our friendly Middleburg Country Inn innkeeper, Kevin, handed my clan a walking tour of the Village of Waterford, Virginia. For some reason, the slight chill in the air provided a sort of timeless setting for poking around this surreal town.
The tour started at the Corner Store of the 1733 village, founded by Amos Janney, a Quaker from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and led us down Main Street past the Jail, the Post Office (still functioning), the Bank, the Sugar Shack and ending at the Mill. The dwellings in between ranged from row houses to stone cottages to Victorians to log cabins. As we read from our modern-day print out, we learned of each building’s history. The 19th century structures that used to house a general store, carriage painting business, shoemakers shop, watch making and jewelry store, a school, and a tannery now exist as residential homes. In fact, while passing by the Goodwin-Sappington House (former shoemakers shop) a young man holding a little girl exited the home. Since we were admiring the gardens to the left of the home, he informed us the house now belongs to his mother whom he was visiting. He was heading into Leesburg to get take out, since there are no dining establishments in the village.
Before the Civil War, Waterford had grown to the second largest town in Loudoun County. Today, it remains much the same size as it was then, with only 90 buildings. In 1970, the Secretary of the Interior determined that Waterford possessed such national significance that it was designated a National Historic Landmark. This is the highest designation of historic significance possible in the United States.
It occurred to us that living in a 250+ year-old village with little or no commercial amenities is a rare experience that could be very, very cool… or very, very challenging. We concluded that it really depends on where you are in your life and what you’re looking for. Regardless, the six of us middle agers (hubby Gene, sister Karen and Billy, and bff’s Christine and Mike) decided it was well worth our time to stroll the narrow streets and imagine living life in this quiet, quaint and amazing village.
6 comments:
Love this! As a Waterford alum, I can attest, at least, to the challenges of growing up in a town with few-to-no amenities (no cable TV, had to travel to go to Pizza Hut). But can also remember the fun times in and around all those houses. It was a special place to be young, then growing up, and to still call "home."
Thanks for your comment, Waterford alum! What a special little town it is. I cannot imagine growing up sans amenities, but I'll bet you have some great stories. The interiors of the homes probably have some unique floor plans and architecture from the changes over the years (I'm imagining secret doors and attics, so don't spoil it for me ;).
Hi Marianne... Thank you for a more recent view of Waterford. I can't imagine a more interesting, vital, and healthy environment in which to grow up. Pizza Hut...yikes! Tyson's Corner was a small 4-way stop. Leesburg had the Safeway where we sojourned to fill up the freezer. The "fun times" mentioned above were numerous--softball on Sun. afternoons, 4th of July in the huge backyard where fathers held out their Roman Candles, and children had watermelon seed battles, cleaning the one spring-fed pool to later take refuge in the cold water from the heat and humidity. There was a Choral Society, the Waterford Players, the annual Waterford Foundation Craft Fair, skating on the pond in winter, sledding, lying by the radio to hear Sgt. Preston of the Yukon and The Shadow, and Sat. afternoon matinees in Leesburg. So much more. The people, the community an amazing gift. At 12. I was ready to leave and my family drifted west. But, as a foundation for life, unbeatable.
I suppose their our other towns or villages that still host a community Fourth of July celebration like Waterford's but I had not experienced one intil here. I doubt that any other village has a community Halloween celebration like Waterford's. One where the school grades in the elementary school create Halloween displays in village homes and residents contribute candy so those homes along 2nd Street and Main Street can host Trick-or-Treat'ers. Second Street is blocked off so Dad's and Mom's can walk with their TOT'ers through the village.
It's great to hear all these memories of living in Waterford. I hope there are more people out there who will share their experiences.
vtravelz Enjoy your stay with spacious rooms equipped with modern amenities like quality furniture and furnishings.
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