Places of Interest: The Grey Swan Inn, a new home to heirlooms ?

Website of The Grey Swan Inn. See website at www.greyswaninn.com.

Southern Virginia has many large, beautiful, old homes. ?They overlook our streets and rural routes, and some are open to us to enjoy, either as part of a historical tour or as a bed and breakfast.

The Grey Swan Inn is one such home.

The home was built in 1902 and was the home of Douglas Longstreet Tuggle, a tobacco merchant, and his family. ?It stayed in the family until 1980?s. ?It then was transformed by renovations, and has five guest rooms; four are on the second story and a third suite is on the third floor. ?The parlor and living room are off the main foyer and are made cozy with heirlooms and other antiques brought in by Christine and Jim Hasbrouck. ?The Hasbrouk came from Baltimore and bought the home, ?reopening it 2007.

What made you want to run a bed and breakfast?

We?ve been staying at b&b?s for years. When Jim was transferred to a position in Washington, DC, we felt that this would be a good time to start thinking about his retirement from the USDA Forest Service. ?What if we could run a b&b? that was a seed planted by staying at inns over the years which developed into, let?s check it out. We started sharing our dream with our friends who were very encouraging. So we started seeing what properties were on the market, talking to innkeepers about the business while staying at the inns, and taking a one day course. After that course we knew that?s what we wanted to do and we started in earnest to pursue our vision.?We met with Peter Scherman, of The B&B Team one weekend and signed up to take his firm?s Aspiring Innkeeper?s course ? Once we had our vision clearly outlined on paper it became easier. ?We knew we wanted an inn with 4-5 guest rooms, to be located in a college town if possible, a turn-key operation, and within driving distance to my family in West Virginia.

Why did you decide on this house in Blackstone, Virginia?

We found this inn on the internet. ?We had looked at a lot of different properties and none were ?just? right. Jim came down one Saturday to look at the Grey Swan.. driving into town he knew that I would like Blackstone. Then he met with the realtors who showed him the house and he knew that this was ?the place.? ?I came down the following week and agreed with him. While we were in Blackstone, we visited a couple of businesses to get the feel for the community?. we were greeted by warm and interested people. I was even hugged by a gal at one shop when I told her we were interested in coming to Blackstone ? that cinched the deal as far as I was concerned.

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It was a perfect size for all our heirlooms. ?I?m still investigating the details of some of Jim?s items. ?I?m going through his grandmother?s diaries, so secretes will be revealed!

Christina Myles Hasbrouck's mother's Danish dishes atop a double door entrance between the dining and sitting room.

A table with elaborate inlaid wood, one of many antique pieces at the inn.

A painted desk was one of the antique desks used by Hasbrouck dentists.

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Dr Ferdinand Hasbrouck, Jim's great grandfather. Photography by Dawn Van Ness.

Dr Ferdinand Hasbrouck?is Jim Hasbrouck?s great grandfather, and his painting hangs in the parlor off the foyer. ?In 1893, Dr. Hasbrouck assisted a team of surgeons who operated on President Grover Cleveland to remove cancerous growth from the President?s mouth. ?The operation was performed in?secrecy?as President Grover?s team of advisers thought public knowledge of the cancer and surgery would further?weaken the economy.

For more about Dr. Hasbrouk and President Grover, ?click here to read another entry on The Virginia Reel.

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What is up and coming at The Grey Swan Inn?

Upcoming events/attractions ? we want to have about 4 packages to offer our guests?. we currently are promoting a romance package for February, but we working on a package that will include an art show and community theater and another package which will include a private in home concert. Other ideas we are considering are a girlfriends? getaway, a mancation, and packages that would be centered on events happening in our community ? arts and crafts festival, cruise-ins, wine festivals, Relay for Life, etc

What amenities are you offering?

?Amenities ? Free wireless internet, private baths, turn down service, air conditioning, TV?s in 3 of our larger rooms, daily housekeeping service, afternoon or evening coffee/tea availability, work area or in-room desks, wake up service. ?Onsite amenities include: iron and ironing board, library, dvd library, piano, fireplace, mini-refrigerator, board games, hairdryer, satellite TV.

What are some favorite refreshments?

Favorite beverages: Jim?s fresh roasted and ground coffee; multiple varieties of Stash teas; Gal Juice (what is gal juice, you might ask ? it?s proprietary recipe involving fresh ginger, apple juice & lemon juice served in the warmer months with fresh mint, sometimes with a splash of sparkling water for fizz).? Favorite foods: strattas, goat cheese quiche, biscuits, muffins, Croissant French Toast with fresh strawberries

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What are some memorable moments?

The children visiting our inn have surprised me?1. We had one family visiting for a Blue/Grey Ball ? their 3 daughters, all home schooled, had made their gowns in the period of the mid 1800?s? It was wonderful seeing them come down the stairs in the gowns before going to the ball ? beautiful!!! And they even entertained us with their musical talents.

?Another child left us the nicest note and drawing of our dog. She and her parents bought us a small swan dish to add to our collection. The review she left us is priceless and we have put it on our website for others to read.

A third child made us a swan origami ? added that to our collection!

A swan is a popular gift that guests leave for Jim and Christina Hasbrouck. Picture by Dawn Van Ness.

What have you gotten out of running an inn?

We attract the nicest guests ? listening to their discussions around the dining room table while we are serving breakfast is refreshing. We occasionally get to join them over coffee after breakfast is served or in the evenings in the parlor or on the front porch. Finding our common connections is easy and hopefully they leave the inn feeling they have gained a friendship with us. We certainly feel that we have been blessed by their presence here.

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Source: http://www.thevirginiareel.com/2012/02/20/the-grey-swan-inn/

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