Vine Forest, Historic residence in Natural Bridge, Virginia
Vine Forest is a Colonial Revival residence situated on 50 acres along U.S. Route 11 with a two-story main house featuring a vaulted center hall. The property also includes three Greek Revival cottages distributed across the grounds.
The original building was constructed in 1806 by Matthew Houston, cousin of Sam Houston, functioning as a store, tavern, and plantation residence. In 1916, Ohio architect Curtis Walton substantially remodeled the structure, adding oak woodwork and arches sourced from an English estate.
The name comes from the grapevines that once covered the property and shaped the local landscape. You can still see traces of this historic planting in how the gardens and grounds are laid out today.
The main house is currently undergoing renovation, but visitors can stay overnight in the cottages available on the property. Spring through fall is the best time to explore, as the pathways are easy to walk and the grounds show their full character.
The building incorporates recycled architectural elements from an English country estate that were completely dismantled and reassembled in Virginia during 1916. This reuse of historical components gives the place an unusual blend of European heritage and American craftsmanship.
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