A Grand Dame of Wythe County
A multiyear, $6.6 million dollar renovation effort has brought new life to the historic Inn at Foster Falls. The iconic 12,000-square-foot structure was built in 1887 to house administrators of a booming Wythe County iron mine, furnace, and railway station. It turned into a childrens’ home in the 1920s, but later fell into decay and was abandoned in 1962. A skyrocketing outdoor recreation tourism industry and the inn’s location at the midpoint of the 57-mile-long New River Trail State Park rail-to-trail inspired state officials to invest in its revival.
The 10-room boutique inn was meticulously restored to reflect the grandeur of its 19th-century origins. Outside, handmade bricks were repaired and repointed, while its iconic cupola, dormer windows, and two-story wraparound porches were reconstructed from old photos. Inside, modern amenities like glass showers and central air are paired with period-correct tilework, original fireplaces, antique or reproduction furnishings, wide-plank hardwood flooring, high ceilings, and ornate molding. StayInnFosterFalls.com
This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2024 issue.
