Contact: Executive Director 304-645-3398 Margaret Hambrick, Secretary 304-646-2439

NEWS RELEASE

Founded in 1963, the Greenbrier Historical Society is dedicated to community enrichment through education and preservation of the history and culture of the Greenbrier Valley. The Greenbrier Historical Society is a regional organization that serves the West Virginia counties of Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers, and Pocahontas.

GHS Home Tour On June 10 From pre-history to one of the most fashionable eras in the Muddy Creek Valley, two incredible sites bookend the “Homes Among the Hills” Home Tour on June 10, 2023. Sponsored by the Greenbrier Historical Society, this most unusual tour of history takes visitors from the pre-settlement lives of local Native Americans to the ultra-fashionable society that clustered around the mineral springs of (at the time) Virginia. From the lone Native American on a hunting expedition to the mineral “lick” that became the fashionable resort of Blue Sulphur Springs, which could not have existed without the labor of enslaved Black people, to the company of Presidents of the United States who visited there, the Blue Sulphur Springs Resort was the place to be. A historical dramatic presentation of the resort will be held at the beautifully restored Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion on June 10th at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. "Take a Stagecoach and Visit the Blue" was written, directed, and produced by Pamela Barry and will feature George Piasecki as Major William Vass. Docents, who are members of the Friends of the Blue Committee, will be there to talk about the past as well as the recent restoration. Ginny’s Goodbites of Alderson will offer a BBQ sandwich plate; a chicken salad croissant plate; a variety of drinks; and dessert items for an extra charge. All fashionable people would have arrived at the Blue Sulphur Springs Resort under some sort of horse-power—meaning real horses, of course. A carriage with a beautiful team will be provided by Ray and Lynn Tuckwiller to add to the ambience of the day. Guests are welcome to take photos and pretend that is how they arrived. Portable toilets and a hand washing facility will also be available. The Arbuckle’s Fort Preserve, which is owned and managed in partnership by The Archaeological Conservancy and West Virginia Land Trust, provides an exciting opportunity to explore the Native American history of our area through artifacts and the re-creation of a Native American Habitat. Tours to the Arbuckle Fort site will be led by Doctors Stephen and Kim Arbogast McBride who have led excavation work there for many years. They will also show some artifacts recovered from the fort area. James and Jay Reed have been ethically collecting Native American artifacts for many years and will have a display of tools, game pieces, and domestic items, along with arrowheads, and other implements of war. Many local people remember this area as the site of Blaker’s Mill and Store and the community which surrounded them. While these structures are gone, the Driving Tour Book will include an extensive, documented history of these and other sites. There will be a portable toilet at this location. Archaeologist Dr. Kim Arbogast McBride voiced her excitement about the Homes Tour coming to the Arbuckle's Fort Preserve saying, "The network of frontier forts was crucial to the successful colonization of the Greenbrier Valley in the 18th century by Euro-American and African-American settlers.  Given the lack of towns, these forts were the central nucleated places in the cultural landscape, fulfilling civic, social, and economic as well as the better-known defensive functions.  Arbuckle's Fort (named for Mathew Arbuckle Sr.) was one of the more important militia-built forts in the Greenbrier Valley and is one of the best preserved in terms of its archaeology.  We hope many citizens can show their support for local history by attending the tour.  In addition to the booklet for the Homes Tour that comes as part of the ticket, we will have copies of our latest booklet on frontier defense in Monroe and Summers counties for free distribution at the Arbuckle's Fort Preserve.  And we also hope the Homes Tour helps us recruit to a Friends of Arbuckle's Fort group; please let us know if you can join us in this historic preservation effort."   The “Homes Among the Hills” Home tour will also include an amazing home from 1795 whose occupants sought shelter at Arbuckle’s Fort when they first settled in the area as well as an 1860s log cabin with an early 1900s frame addition, which was a center of entertainment for the neighborhood along Muddy Creek when the young folks gathered there for dances. Between the five major stops will be “view spots.” These are locations or ruins marked by a numbered sign with their history contained in the Driving Tour Book included with each adult ticket. Guests are encouraged to safely pull off along the road and read the historical information in the book. These sites are not open for touring, only viewing from the road. The Opening Reception at the Law Library and Enslaved Quarters/Rhoda’s House will begin the weekend theme of “Homes Among the Hills” with exploration of those two buildings; an art exhibit of Native American depictions; an appearance by Judge Tucker; and some light food and drink. Because of the nature of this home tour, the access is via country roads with lots of twists and turns. Most are paved and all are in fine condition, but many are one lane and there is some gravel. Please drive slowly and carefully and watch out for other motorists. Guests will also be visiting working farms with some uneven ground, so comfortable shoes are advised. Tickets are virtual and available on-line at greenbrierhistorical.org and at the North House Museum at 814 Washington Street West, Lewisburg, WV. A combination ticket for the Opening Reception on June 9 and the Home Tour on June 10 is $100. An individual ticket for the Opening Reception is $75; the Home Tour ticket is $30 in advance, $40 day-of for adults, and $10 any time for those 18 years old or younger. If you have purchased your ticket on-line, just check in at the welcome table located at each of the Home Tour locations to get your wrist band, Driving Tour Book with map, and special day-of event insert. All locations are accessible off I-64 and then Route 12 at Spring Valley Road and Blaker’s Mill Road between Alta and Alderson. Just look for the large bright electronic signs at those roads saying “Home Tour” with an arrow pointing the way. The sites are also easy to find using google maps on your phone with the addresses on the GHS website. Home Tour Committee chair, Margaret Hambrick, said, “Even the countryside is a beautiful part of this home tour. Take your time and enjoy.” PHOTO CAPTIONS: 55—The monument to the Muddy Creek Massacre stands on a part of Arbuckle’s Fort. 60—The restored Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion in 2023 35—The Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion in the late 1800s.