Buena Vista, Virginia
Old Glasgow House
Rockbridge County, Virginia
Old Glasgow House (c. 1820) is nestled in a quiet river valley just five miles from the quaint college town of Lexington, Virginia. This secluded brick home is surrounded by 144 conserved acres of woods, pastures, ponds, and wetlands. A twenty-minute drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the property offers mountain views and almost a mile of walkable river frontage. The property affords extensive opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird watching.
For many years the large home has been divided into two separate living spaces. The owners, a woodworker and teacher, inhabit half of this quiet, spacious house and offer hospitality to guests who would also enjoy this unique setting. The rental suite is on the first floor of the home and includes a private entrance, bedroom with queen bed, adjacent bathroom, spacious living room, eat-in kitchen, patio and parking. Artwork abounds, as do well-loved yet still functional antique furnishings from early America and the Middle East. Eclectic yet simple in style, the décor reflects the warm creative spirit of the owners as well as the country character of their almost two hundred year-old home.
The home was originally built by the Glasgow family. The foundation stones were quarried on the property and the bricks were also produced nearby. Construction proceeded through several stages, but within a couple of decades the house assumed its final shape, which included four iconic columns, hence its early name, “Tuscan Villa.”
Generations of Glasgows occupied the house until the final family member sold the farm in 1965 to an energetic couple, parents of the current residents. The new owners undertook a major renovation of the house, installing such new-fangled features as an in-house kitchen, indoor plumbing, electricity, and central heat. Apparently closets were still too avant-garde at the time. All the original woodwork was preserved, including a mantelpiece in each room. Most of the new amenities are located in a wood-framed addition nestled between the two wings of the home.
Few changes have been made to the house since its original renovation fifty years ago, thus keeping the home close to its roots. The patina of history has been preserved, with imperfection and wear an integral part of the home’s character. Those who enjoy nature, history, and secluded mountain-valley views will find a stay in this authentic country home to be a welcome respite from the daily rush of modern life, and a gift to the human spirit.
We had a delightful month in the Old Glasgow House. The property is exactly as described. The apartment wing of the historic manse is filled with art and antiques, spacious, quiet and comfortable. The farm surroundings are a haven of peace and lovely for exploring. A perfect location to delve into the Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge and Alleghenies and their charming towns.
My husband booked this for my birthday, and this 30 day stay has been nothing short of amazement. We enjoyed the beautiful house with great arts in it, and the breathtaking view of the mountain, river, and nature just outside of the doors and windows of the house. Elise and Eric are wonderful hosts who gave us lots of privacy but always were there when we need them. We are so thankful for them allowing us to get a taste of how life is right in the middle of nature.
Beautiful old home on a pretty and private setting. The farm and river are very scenic.
Our stay at Old Glasgow House was very pleasant and restful. We found the furnishings and environs of our apartment to be warm, clean and comfortable. The apartment was spacious and filled with an eclectic collection of books, paintings,and other artistic creations, some of which were done by family members of out host Elise. The physical surroundings of the property were beautiful with the Blue Ridge Mountains looking down on the woods and pastures that are a part of this historic property. From our stone patio at dusk, we watched the young deer frolic and feed in the nearby pasture and the woodchuck family feed on the clover in the back yard. We especially enjoyed the drive in and out of the property along the banks of the South River. We found that to stay here is a trip back in time. One could not wish for more cordial and gracious hosts than Elise and Eric. They are an interesting couple who quickly responded to any questions that we had, but were careful not to intrude on our privacy or our quiet stay at there historic family home. Elise appears to have a great deal of knowledge about Rockbridge County. We found Old Glasgow House to be conveniently located, only a short distance from nearby Lexington, home to Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute with their historical and and artistic collections. It is also only a short drive to Buena Vista with its entrance to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and home to Southern Virginia University. We would highly recommend this property to anyone who is interested in a break from the hectic pace of modern living and looking for the quiet and peace that Elise and Eric offer at Old Glasgow House. We definitely intend to stay at this property the next time we visit this area.
This rental was relaxing and beautiful- totally unlike a hotel room. We relaxed on the patio with coffee and breakfast in the morning. Rooms are not modern but are wonderfully eclectic and charming with all many of the amenities needed. This is a rare find for those who appreciate history, nature, and art.
Beautiful and comfortable interior. What I loved the most, though, were the peaceful surroundings. It is wonderful to sit out in the evening and watch the fireflies.
Spent three days Glasgow house and it was wonderful. Everything you need to there and it is short drive to Lexington. If we get the opportunity we will stay again.
This is tip top as a place to rest, recharge and enjoy Viginia’s beautiful countryside! The kitchen is beautifully appointed, WiFi is reliable, the bed is cozy. Countless details have been refined over their years of hospitality - original art and antiques in every room, fascinating reading material, a variety of CD’s and DVD’s as well as television options (which we didn’t use). Most important were the serene pastoral views from every window and the country rambles along the river, viewing abundant birds and wildlife. Of course they had field guides! Glasgow House is 10 minutes away from the charming town of Lexington and convenient to dozens of hiking trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway and other parts of the state. We spent one day in Staunton at Blackfriers Playhouse for Shakespeare, shopping and dinner, and another day hiking, buying produce and visiting a charming old general store. We will most definitely return to this quiet, charming country home!
We were visiting Lexington for a horse show at the Horse Center for 5 days. I am so happy that we choose Eric and Elise’s beautiful home. The rooms were very large and plenty of space. It was like stepping back into history with high ceilings and antiques. The kitchen was well appointed. The grounds were beautiful as well with deer, bunnies and cows! We would definitely stay again and recommend this highly.
This property is a refreshing get-away from the bustle of the city and provides a great view of farmland, mountains and a clean river. The hosts were attentive when called upon but not intrusive. The house was well furnished and a beautiful reminder of how life was for the well-off 150 years ago. While very quiet, it is only 15 minutes away from the towns of Lexington and Buena Vista if you need something to keep you occupied.