Location: Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, USA (90 miles from Washington, D.C and Baltimore, MD) View Map
Accommodations: Farmhouse, 3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 5)
Imagine stepping back into the world of the early 19th Century. The Declaration of Independence was signed only 24 years earlier. A new homestead cabin has just been built in north-western Virginia on part of a 200 acre land grant signed by President James Monroe. This and other deeds are displayed at The Old Homestead, which is now a charming old two hundred and twelve year old farmhouse restored to its 1800s roots.
The town of Berkeley Springs, one and one-half miles away, was laid out by young George Washington. It's said that he bathed in the well-known warm springs here. His 'bath tub' is still on display in the State Park. The medicinal healing springs, originally frequented by Indian tribes, became America's first spa. The historic but operational Roman Bath House in Berkeley Springs State Park is fed by the healing waters of Warms Springs run and provides natural mineral baths and massages. Numerous private spas are also located in town. A full- sized swimming pool is part of the State Park. Free Summer concerts, sponsored by the Morgan Arts Council, are presented in the park on Saturday evenings. These attractions are just a five minute drive from the Old Homestead.
Additional rooms were added to the original house in around 1850. By the time of the Civil War, descendants of the settlers sat on the front porch and watched Confederate soldiers march toward Martinsburg. Both armies, bushwhackers, horse thieves and smugglers rode through this border area. The nearby Potomac River was the boundary between North and South and many battles took place nearby.
Now guests can relax in rockers on the shaded front porch.
The back patio and deck provide views of rolling meadows and Sleepy Creek Mountain. A comfortable hammock hangs between large trees in the yard. Enjoy wildlife drinking at the spring-fed ponds and birds flocking to the feeder. (The small ponds are a natural wildlife asset, but are unsuitable for swimming, fishing or boating.) In the modern kitchen, original rafters are exposed and half-wainscot walls are restored. The kitchen chimney contains large fossil rocks. The fireplace in the living room accommodates a built-in wood stove. A dining area overlooks the front porch. Play chess at the game table in the hall area. A full bath is to the right and the laundry room is at the opposite end of the hall.
Narrow, winding steps lead upstairs to a hallway reading area. All of the wainscot doors have been retained on the second floor. A half-bath is located to the right and a small bedroom with a single bed is to the left. The original homestead master bedroom opens off the hall. Complete with a small mantled fireplace (charming but inoperable), this room boasts some lovely antiques and a double bed. The original chair-rails have been retained here. An adjoining door leads to the back bedroom. This bedroom was known as a 'captured' room - meaning that the occupants could only enter through another room. Today, a outer door leads to the deck. This room has a queen-sized bed and ceiling fan. As it is part of the addition, the stone chimney and an area of original lap siding add interest to the room.
The surrounding area provides a wealth of activities. Cacapon State Park is 20 minutes away and offers horseback riding, boating and swimming in the lake, hiking, playgrounds, picnic areas and a golf course. Enjoy float trips, swimming, fishing, and boating on the nearby Cacapon River. Bike on the C&O Canal Towpath Rails To Trails path on the banks of the Potomac River in nearby Hancock, MD. Winter skiing and snowboarding is available at White Tail resort 45 minutes away, or at Blue Knob resort an hour and a half a away. Historic Harper's Ferry is not far. You can walk through the town and visit the Civil War museums. Another activity in Harper's Ferry is whitewater rafting or tubing on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Nearby Charles Town offers racing and slots.
Keywords: Historic old farmhouse near Berkeley Springs, WV, Views of Sleepy Creek Mt., Wooded setting, rustic, rural, secluded
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided : Bed linens located in bedroom (No. 3) closet. Towels, etc. located in full bathroom closet.
- Woodstove : Wood is stacked on back patio
- Air-Conditioning : Window air conditioning units
- Washing Machine : located in utility room
- Clothes Dryer : located in utility room
- Parking Off Street
- Parking For RV/Boat/Trailer
- Beds
- Double
- Twin/ Single
- Queen
- Entertainment
- Video Library : Mostly children's videos
- Satellite Or Cable : Basic cable
- DVD
- CD
- VCR
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : toaster, coffee maker available
- Refrigerator
- Cooking Utensils
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Balcony : Lounge chairs and small table. Steps to patio
- Deck/Patio : Glass table and 4 chairs
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- View/Location
- Mountain View : Views of Sleepy Creek Mountain
- Other Amenities
- WiFi present in Berkeley Springs State Park, Morgan County Public Library and several resturants in Berkeley Springs.
- Suitability
- Pets Considered : Up to two well-behaved dogs are allowed with prior approval. A one time $25 fee is added for each dog. Pets must be controlled when outside. Unattended pets must be kenneled. Please bring all pet bedding. Guests will be charged for pet damages.
- Non Smoking Only : Please do not smoke anywhere inside the house. If you smoke outside, be aware of dry leaves and the danger of fires. No outside fires allowed.
- Children Welcome : Children love the Old Homestead. Many children's books, games, DVDs and tapes are available. Ponds unsuitable for swimming, fishing, boating.
- Activities
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Cycling
- Skiing
- Fishing
- Golf
- Mountain Biking
- Rafting
- Cross Country Skiing
- Cinemas
- Horseback Riding
- Sight Seeing
- Restaurants
- Live Theater
- Museums
- Shopping
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Sledding
- Antiquing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Other Activities
- The Apple Butter Arts and Crafts Festival held in Berkeley Springs State Park the second weekend of October.
Rate Details (In U.S Dollars)
April-January 2 -- $165/wkend night $140/wkday Early check-is available. Holidays -- $165/wkday&wkend One night stays will have $50 cleaning fee added. Weekly rate -- $900 Pets - $25 one time fee each pet All rates will have 6% WV State tax and 4% local hotel/motel tax added Advance reservations required: Indicate number of persons and pets expected. Reservations guaranteed by $150 advance deposit.Balance due 10 days before arrival NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. CHECKS OR CASH ONLY Cancellations:Must be received 10 days before arrival date for refund.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1975
Why the Owner Chose Berkeley SpringsWhen my husband bought the Old Homestead and the farm in 1975, saplings were growing out of the windows. He renovated it, and lived there for a few years. It was rented out for many years, and slipped into a state of disrepair. In 2001, I began the second renovation, and researched its history. I found old courthouse records and deeds in both Virginia and West Virginia.
The Unique Benefits at this FarmhouseI live down the driveway from the property, so I enjoy the convenience of being located only 1.6 miles from Berkeley Springs. I often attend plays and gallery shows at the Morgan County arts Council center, the Ice House. My family, friends, and I frequent the many restaurants in town, namely Temptations Cafe, Earth Dog, The Ambrae House, and Tari's Premier Cafe. For special occasions we go to Lot Twelve Public House.
Owner's Map of Berkeley Springs
I'm a retired English teacher and a writer. My writing often draws on the color and history of the local area. My 14 year old granddaughter helps with cleaning, yard work and the web page. She is also interested in the local history.
Property Photos
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- The Old Homestead
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- Front porch
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- Kitchen
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- Kitchen
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- Living room
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- Living room
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- Bedroom 1
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- Original Homestead Bedroom, Bedroom 2
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- Original Homestead bedroom, bedroom 2
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- Bedroom 3, enter through bedroom 2 or through outer door to deck
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- Deck and patio
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- Upstairs deck
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- Dining Patio
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- Backyard hammock
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- Pond and mountain view
Traveler Reviews (7)
Another Wonderful Stay
Guest: James S.
(Annapolis, MD)
Date of Stay: 04/13/12
Review Submitted: 04/17/12
We visited Berkeley Springs this past weekend looking for our own vacation house for the future. Once again, we had a wonderful stay at the old homestead (we also stayed there last summer). The house and pond is a great place to spend the weekend. Our dogs thoroughly enjoyed running around and viewing the wildlife. Thanks again Sally for opening up your house to us. It is truly amazing.
Recommended for:Pet owners, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.
Guest: Janet and family
Date of Stay: 04/16/11
Review Submitted: 04/18/11
This place is everything I was picturing. What a warm, inviting home and it has all we need to enjoy our weekend. The grand kids enjoyed it most and that was my purpose for the trip. I would love to rent this place every weekend. The history behind it and the homey atmosphere was a pleasure. We will be back.
Recommended for:
Guest: Kiyomi and JB
Date of Stay: 12/26/10
Review Submitted: 04/18/11
Thank you so much for the loveliest honeymoon. Your hospitality and accommodating spirit have made our time spent here easy and memorable. This house is wonderful and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. We hope that his marks the beginning of many memories to come. We cooked our very first duck in this kitchen, built warm fires in the wood stove, prayed by the pond and created a solid base for our marriage to truly begin.
Recommended for:
Guest: Mike and Vicky
Date of Stay: 11/07/10
Review Submitted: 04/18/11
Spent my birthday weekend here in my great-great grandparent's "Old Homestead". Strange that I'd never set foot in here for fifty plus years, and now I've stayed here twice this year! My wife, Vicky, and I had a wonderful stay (again), and will be back. I was worried about the cooler weather we had this week, but with the wood stove we were warmer up there than we are at home. We'll be back.
Recommended for:
Guest: Martha and Bill
Date of Stay: 10/08/10
Review Submitted: 04/18/11
The Old homestead was a wonderful place for a retreat. The solitude and quiet made it easy to focus on my reading. Being surrounded by nature, the trees just beginning to show their autumn colors, the myriad of birds filling the canopy with song, the evening visits of the deer, filled my soul with awe and renewed my gratitude to God.
Recommended for:
Guest: Abby and Clancy
Date of Stay: 09/26/10
Review Submitted: 04/18/11
The Old Homestead has been a perfect weekend retreat. The history of the house is fascinating and I loved reading the entries of previous guests. Most of the weekend was spent relaxing in the hammock and sitting on the porch - perfectly relaxing activities. We loved hiking the local trails. Berkeley Springs is a beautiful town with such warm and friendly people.
Recommended for:
Guest: Bob and Jo Ann
Date of Stay: 09/10/10
Review Submitted: 04/18/11
We have thoroughly enjoyed the Old Homestead. I'm sure it is one of a kind and came about out of hours of love and hard work. It has an amazing past and a beautiful setting. Every day we were visited by the deer. Thank you for sharing your home.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #340583
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