About Lynchburg's Historic District

The Museum is housed in Lynchburg’s second court house, completed in the Greek Revival style in 1855. William Ellison, the designer of the building, borrowed heavily from builders' handbooks of the day which provided detailing from classical structures such as the Parthenon. The fluted Doric columns, pedimented portico, and commanding presence on the hill overlooking the James River evoke the classical concepts of the day.

From 1855 onward, the Old Court House was used for a variety of courts: Hustings, Mayors, Circuit, District, Federal, and Juvenile Courts among them. During the Civil War, it was used by the Confederate government for the Quartermaster’s Department, Soldiers’ Aid Society, and the Soldiers’ Library.

During Reconstruction, the Old Court House was used as headquarters for Federal officers and as a Provost Marshall’s office. Returned to its judicial use in the late 1860s, the building contained court activities until about 1970. At that time, the building was in very poor condition and its future uncertain.

As part of America’s Bicentennial in 1976, Lynchburg City Council voted to restore the Old Court House as the City’s bicentennial project and to adaptively reuse the building as a history museum. The museum opened in 1979 and featured a restored Hustings Court and exhibits on the development of the City.

A new chapter in the history of the building began to unfold in the summer of 2000, as a crisis precipitated yet another renovation. A second floor ceiling collapsed in July, leading to an extensive study of the structural condition of the building. The study found that the building had serious structural issues and the City invested almost $2 million in renovations.

Once the renovations were completed in 2005, a master plan for exhibits was developed and implemented. The Lynchburg Museum reopened in February 2008 in this historic 1855 Court House building

There are five galleries on the main level and displays on the ground and second floors. Visitors enter into the Main Courtroom Gallery to see a huge color mural (33 feet by 8 feet) of the Edward Beyer painting of Lynchburg done in 1855, the same year the Court House was completed. Capturing the City from Madison Heights looking across the James River, the Beyer image provides a monumental and detailed view of Lynchburg on the eve of the Civil War.

Grouped with the mural are a variety of objects: a tall case clock from the 1840s, a suit worn by Confederate General Jubal Early, an elaborate gilt harp brought to Lynchburg in the 1850s, a Harley Davidson motorcycle once used by the Lynchburg Police Department, a soapbox derby racer, and much more! Three media programs focus on the people, historic images of Lynchburg, and historic maps.

Other galleries on this level include:

Gallery I
Art and Artisans: Included in this gallery are works of art by Bernhard Gutmann, Flavius Fisher, and Georgia Morgan, all of whom had connections to Lynchburg. Also featured are a signed and dated sideboard made in Lynchburg by Thomas Crandall, an armoire by Sampson Diuguid, and chairs created by local cabinetmakers. Lynchburg had a number of silversmiths in the 19th century and items by Silverthorn, Williams and Victor, and Truslow are among those displayed. The Levi and S.O. Fisher family of gunsmiths are also represented. Levi Fisher came to Lynchburg from the Shenandoah Valley in 1828 and his family made and repaired firearms until 1969

Gallery 2
Piedmont Pride: A gallery on the military service of the men and women of Central Virginia from the Revolutionary War through today. Featured artifacts include the First National Confederate flag of the 11th Virginia Infantry. This unit was made up mainly of men from Lynchburg and the surrounding area; the 11th Virginia was involved in many battles including First and Second Manassas and Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg. Other items include a Red Cross nurse's uniform from World War I, memorabilia and uniforms from World War II, and a variety of materials showing how wars have affected local life on the Home Front.

Gallery 3
Lynchburg Life: a look at entertainment, sports, music, businesses, and costumes linked to the Hill City. This gallery features recreation, education, and "all things Lynchburg" and covers notable local musicians such as Cile Turner, "Screechy" Carwile, and blues pioneer Luke Jordan. Sports figures such as "Bullet Bill" Dudley, NFL Hall of Famer and Earl Brooks, early Nascar driver, are included along with a large number of items relating to Lynchburg business--crocks, tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, banks, shoe manufacturing, and foundries. Pioneer aviators Vincent "Squeek" Burnett, Chauncey Spencer and Woody Edmondson are also highlighted.

Gallery 4
An Ornament on the Hill: covers the history of our largest artifact, the Old Court House, since it was completed in 1855 including architecture, courts, and its brief service as the Capitol of Virginia in 1865. The Greek Revival Court House remains a commanding presence overlooking Downtown Lynchburg from atop Monument Terrace. This gallery looks at the varied uses the building has seen in its 150+ year history and shows off original architectural elements such as a wooden gargoyle carved in 1855 and samples of the ornate plaster work found throughout the building.

Second Floor: The Gifford Gallery is a multipurpose space that includes an exhibit of antique toys, model railroad exhibit, historic images of Lynchburg people and places, and room for educational programs. In the future, traveling exhibits will also be displayed here.

Ground Level: This floor houses visitor amenities, a display on Lynchburg’s Civil War past, and an area where “New Acquisitions and Old Friends” can be viewed.

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IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A HOME IN THE LYNCHBURG OR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR ALL THE CURRENT LISTINGS OR GIVE ME A CALL AT

(434)832-1100X320

MY WEBSITE

www.patprestonrealtor.com

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO FEED A HUNGRY FURBABY

CLICK ON THE BREAST CANCER SITE TO DONATE A MAMMOGRAM

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History of Lynchburg Part 6-Federal Hill-History of a Neighborhood

"Lynchburg is growing more rapidly than any town I have ever known in any country." So Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1817. He might have added that much of that growth was occurring on a certain hill just to the southwest of the original town limits. In fact, Federal Hill, as it soon came to be called, was Lynchburg's first residential suburb.

Two annexations, one in 1814, just prior to Jefferson's observation, the second following in 1819, brought Federal Hill within the town's jurisdiction. The wording of deeds transferring property from the town's founder, John Lynch, to others indicates that annexation of the area had always been intended. Lots had been surveyed "in conformity with the plan of the said town of Lynchburg with the privilege of streets and alleys as if it were within the actual limits of the town."

Because of the topography (Federal Hill, after all, is first and foremost a hill), some of those streets have never been opened, and still exist primarily on paper plats. Today's visitor will notice, perhaps with surprise, that a number of Federal Hill's streets dead-end at a bluff or cliff, only to pick up a block or so later, at a higher or - depending on your point of view - lower elevation.

The many Federal-style houses built during Lynchburg's early nineteenth-century era of prosperity still define the neighborhood. When Federal Hill was studied in 1974, preparatory to being nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Commission declared that few Piedmont cities of the South can boast of such a distinguished grouping of Federal dwellings."

Throughout the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth, Federal Hill continued as a "good address." In fact, it was one of Lynchburg's best. It was on Federal Hill in 1855 that gas was first introduced into a private house in Lynchburg, and soon after the Civil War ended, Lynchburg's first millionaire (having gotten rich on tobacco) elected to build his fashionable Second Empire mansion on the slopes of Federal Hill

Architecturally, this continued growth throughout the 19th century meant that flat Greek Revival lintels soon began to appear alongside the splayed jack-arches of the Federal houses. Here and there, beginning around the time of Civil War, Italianate brackets began to embellish cornices, some of them on new houses, some of them on older ones whose owners wanted to be architecturally up-to-date. John W. Carroll, that first millionaire, introduced Lynchburg to the Second Empire style, both in his own house and in those he soon provided for his progeny nearby.

Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Lynchburg prospered anew as it sought to forget the war to become a leading player in the progressive drama of development called the "New South." Though new suburbs were laid out and soon built upon, stretching the city limits ever farther in all directions, Federal Hill continued as a prime residential venue. Houses built during these years were generally in the ornate Queen Anne style, often in striking architectural contrast with the earlier, more sedate neighbors

At the turn of the century, the hill's centrality and prominence were acknowledged when the Lynchburg High School - Queen Anne writ large - went up on Federal Street. By this time, though, Federal Hill was largely built up, and construction of the school resulted in the demolition of one of the best of the early houses.

Similarly, the 1909 construction of "Federal Crest (pic right") the last of the large-scale houses on the hill, and the sole example of the newly popular Georgian Revival style, was accomplished only by the destruction of one of the city's most important ante-bellum Italian villas.

Through all periods of growth, Federal Hill never abandoned its residential role. It was close enough to downtown Lynchburg for its residents to shop there, and even closer to the nearby churches on Court Street for Sunday worship.

As the wide-awake twentieth century progressed elsewhere, Federal Hill was seldom disturbed by the sounds of new construction. The high school moved away fairly early, leaving the building to become a local elementary school.

The neighborhood began to nod off a bit, then dozed, took a nap, and almost went into a deep sleep. Definitely isolated from the surrounding urban areas by its topography, and blessedly still not bisected by any "through streets" with their attendant traffic, or worse - pressures to demolish for commercial enterprises - Federal Hill became a quiet backwater, its houses still lived in and loved, but hardly the center of activity and prosperity they once had been.

Since there was little pressure for change, wonderful amenities such as flagstone sidewalks, cast-iron fences - things that some preservationists call "street furniture" - remained in place, and still do. As time went on, though, many single-family dwellings were converted into rooming houses, paint was applied less and less frequently, and an unmistakable air of decline set it.

Fortunately, within the last several decades, that direction not only been arrested, it has been reversed. The acceptance of the district into the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 was a step in the right direction, as was its designation as a locally zoned historic district 1978.

The school took a new lease on life when it was converted into apartments, an adaptive use that was lauded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Federal Hill can now even boast a preservation "first"

The Gordon House(pic right) 1023 Jackson Street was the first house in the Commonwealth to be advertised and sold through the Virginia Historic Preservation Foundation, the state-wide revolving fund established in 1988 to promote the sale and protection of historic properties.

The Federal Hill Historical Association, established in 1993,is doing its part to insure that the neighborhood will remain an attractive, convenient, residential area for Lynchburg, and that its notable houses will remain a major component of Lynchburg's - and Virginia's - historic patrimony.

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IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A HOME IN THE LYNCHBURG OR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR ALL THE CURRENT LISTINGS OR GIVE ME A CALL AT

(434)832-1100X320

MY WEBSITE

www.patprestonrealtor.com

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO FEED A HUNGRY FURBABY

CLICK ON THE BREAST CANCER SITE TO DONATE A MAMMOGRAM

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CMN and Susan G. Komen as well as the SPCA.

A portion of every one of my real estate transactions goes to CMN

PROUD MEMBER OF THE LYNCHBURG MLS, DANVILLE MLS & CREA

History of the Garland Hill Historic District

The Garland Hill Historic District is a small residential neighborhood located on one of Lynchburg's seven hills. Situated northwest of Fifth Street, the Garland Hill streets of Clay, Madison and Harrison are steeply bounded by Blackwater Creek. Many of Lynchburg's oldest homes are still standing in this neighborhood.

The area from Third Street to Blackwater Creek was originally the William B. Lynch Farm. A son of John Lynch, founder of Lynchburg, is said to have had his house at what is now 208 Madison Street. The area between Second and Third Streets on the opposite side was known as Lynch's garden. Stables and servant's quarters were located between First and Second Streets. The only building left from the farm is 619 First Street, built in 1787 by John Lynch. In 1845, the farm was left by William B. Lynch, Jr., to Celine Dupuy, a cousin. It was Mrs. Dupuy who divided the property into lots known today as Garland Hill.

Garland Hill was fully incorporated into the city in 1870. During the mid-19th century, the area was so populated with the Garland family that the "Hill" took the family name. Samuel Garland, Sr., a wealthy Lynchburg lawyer with extensive agricultural interests and properties in Mississippi, purchased Lot 7 and built a home. He was only the first of many members of the Garland family to live on the hill. His nephew and namesake, Samuel Garland, Jr., moved into the Walter Dunnington House after 1851, and other members of the family lived nearby. By the time of the Civil War, the Garlands and their relatives were living in numerous houses on the hill.

Madison Street, one of the most fashionable in Lynchburg, was among the first residential streets in the city to be paved in brick in 1895 (along with Court and Cabell Streets). Much of the original brick paving remains, although some has been damaged by utility work. Original curbing, as well as flagstone and brick walks, can be seen along Madison and Harrison Streets.

The original lots were an entire block in size. Note the generous spacing of the older homes. By the turn of the century when this area was known as "Quality Row," most of the large lots were already built upon. Several lots were then subdivided to make way for more houses. Therefore, there are quite a number of different architectural styles throughout Garland Hill, ranging from classic mid-19th century styles to more elaborate Victorians.

As Lynchburg expanded and other areas supplanted Garland Hill as the fashionable place to live, the original families gradually moved away. Some of the larger homes were converted to apartments, starting with Halsey Terrace (220 Madison Street) in 1926. Garland Hill suffered badly from urban decay and uncaring absentee landlords in the 1960's and 1970's. The situation began to turn around in the late 1970's when new owners started to move into the neighborhood. Several homes were converted to single family dwellings once again and many were restored to their original splendor. Renovation work continues throughout Garland Hill to this day.

In 1978, Garland Hill was designated a Lynchburg Historic District. It is included as a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A HOME IN THE LYNCHBURG OR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR ALL THE CURRENT LISTINGS OR GIVE ME A CALL AT

(434)832-1100X320

IMPORTANT LINKS

MY WEBSITE

www.patprestonrealtor.com

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO FEED A HUNGRY FURBABY

CLICK ON THE BREAST CANCER SITE TO DONATE A MAMMOGRAM

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

www.petfinder.com

www.breastcancersite.com

Proud supporter of

CMN and Susan G. Komen as well as the SPCA.

A portion of every one of my real estate transactions goes to CMN

PROUD MEMBER OF THE LYNCHBURG & DANVILLE MLS & CREA

CELEBRATED MY TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH RE/MAX 1ST OLYMPIC MAY OF 2009

CELEBRATED 5 YRS CANCER FREE ON JUNE 26, 2009

The Battle of Lynchburg Audio Driving Tour

An enjoyable and educational driving tour facilitated by CD and narrated by renowned Civil War authority James Robertson, Jr. The route encompasses eight sites critical to the events of June 17-18, 1864, each hosting informative historic and interpretive markers. Tapes or CDs and maps for the tour are available at the Lynchburg Vistors center

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A HOME IN THE LYNCHBURG OR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR ALL THE CURRENT LISTINGS OR GIVE ME A CALL AT

(434)832-1100X320

IMPORTANT LINKS

MY WEBSITE

www.patprestonrealtor.com

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO FEED A HUNGRY FURBABY

CLICK ON THE BREAST CANCER SITE TO DONATE A MAMMOGRAM

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

www.petfinder.com

www.breastcancersite.com

Proud supporter of

CMN and Susan G. Komen as well as the SPCA.

A portion of every one of my real estate transactions goes to CMN

PROUD MEMBER OF THE LYNCHBURG MLS AND DANVILLE MLS

PROUD MEMBER OF CREA

CELEBRATED MY TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH RE/MAX 1ST OLYMPIC MAY OF 2009

CELEBRATED 5 YRS CANCER FREE ON JUNE 26, 2009

I love it as the weather gets warmer the downtown area of Lynchburg Va comes to life with people and the colors of the season. There has been so many local businesses and residents of the historical district that have spent a lot of money to breathe life into the area.