On Friday, we took deliver of two canopies for the Hipkins-Bernard and Conway Junior Suite as well as the valances for the Turner Master Suite. We are almost done with all the curtains for the bedrooms! We just need to wait for the finally curtains for the Turner Master Suite as well as the half canopy. Then we just have to get the curtains for the Parlor, Formal Dining Room, Small Dining Room, Library, Common Room and the Foyer Room. But the ones we have gotten is a huge step towards finishing!

Not only does it help us cover the windows, but with them in place, we can better able to see what kind of decor we want or need for the room. Knowing that, we can find those pieces and complete the room. The Madison Master Suite, which got its curtains and canopy first is almost done. We just need to find a few portraits of James and Dolley Madison as well as some smaller decor and we can call it done!

Enjoy the pictures of the new arrivals!

Here is the “Before” of the Hipkins-Bernard Junior Suite

Here it is now!

Here is the “Before” of the Conway Junior Suite

Here it is now!

Here are the Valances for the Turner Master Suite

(This is the window with Carrie Turner’s etching in it)

This is the Turner Master Suite Bathroom Valance

Who says the details don’t matter??

 

08-28-2013

By Richard Leggett

Historic Belle Grove, King George’s new bed and breakfast, is open for business

Belle Grove, the historic birthplace of former President James Madison and King George’s new luxury bed and breakfast, is open for business. And although the date for a grand opening has not been set, rooms and tours are available, and event planning is underway.

“We are currently in a soft opening as we get our curtains, rugs and décor added to the house,” said Michelle Darnell, who operated the majestic plantation with her husband Brett. “During this time, we are booking rooms and will be giving a ten percent discount during that visit and a ten percent discount on a return visit to see the finished house.”

The Darnells have leased the Belle Grove estate from Haas Belle Grove, Inc. which bought the plantation in 1987 and spent $3.5 million in historical renovations that were completed in 2003. Michelle and Brett have been hard at work acquiring furniture, landscaping the property, building a driveway and making plans for a parking area to accommodate their guests.

Several major events are already on Belle Grove’s schedule for the fall. On September 15, there will be a VIP Dinner and Salon with historical performers James and Dolley Madison. Scheduled for October 25, 26, and October 31 is a paranormal workshop and ghost hunting. Tickets for both events will be available on the Belle Grove website.

According to Michelle Darnell, the paranormal event will feature five classes with a paranormal team on ghost hunting, plus a session with a medium. Tickets for this event can be purchased per class or for the whole day event. The paranormal team is Southeast Virginia Paranormal Investigators out of Newport News, Virginia. This team is working on a pilot for a TV show called “Paranormal Apprentice”. Belle Grove will be featured in the show’s second episode.

Belle Grove is one of Virginia’s most historic homes. The Belle Grove property on the north side of the Rappahannock River was purchased by Captain Anthony Savage in 1670. The house and acreage were later acquired by Francis Conway and Rebecca Catlett Conway, James Madison’s grandparents.

Their daughter, Eleanor Rose Conway, returned to the riverside plantation in December 1750, for the birth of her child, the nation’s fourth president, on March 16, 1751. The plantation was named “Belle Grove” by Rebecca Conway’s second husband, John Moore.

Tours of Belle Grove are available daily from 12 to 3. “We do ask that you please call us at 540-621-7340 to schedule a tour. Cost for tours are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and children 4 and under are free. We also encourage everyone to please visit our official website at www.bellegroveplantation.com,” said Michelle.

“We will be posting more events, as well as adding items to our online store. Gift certificates are now available in our online store. We have also been added to Tripadvisor, BedandBreakfast.com and ILoveInns.com. As always, to find out what’s going on today at the plantation, please follow us on our Facebook page.”

“If you are interested in a meeting or reception or party at Belle Grove, please call us to set up an appointment to schedule,” Michelle said. “If you are interested in Christmas parties, we ask that you book them early as dates are filling fast. Since opening the doors two weeks ago, we have had several sold-out nights, which is very exciting. We look forward to having many, many more.”

To see what we are up to at the plantation

Please visit our Facebook Page!

Is Belle Grove Plantation Haunted?

This is the most popular question we get on our tours.

Now you have a chance to find out for yourself!

Come join us on Saturday, October 26th

as we host our first Paranormal Workshop

and

Friday, October 25th, Saturday, October 26th

and a special Halloween Night – Thursday, October 31st

for Overnight Ghost Huntings!

 

Belle Grove Plantation welcomes

Southeast Virginia Paranormal Investigations from Newport News, Virginia

http://virginia-paranormal.com/

This team of investigators has performed paranormal research and investigations in some of the most alleged haunted locations in Virginia as well as handle private residence cases. SVPI uses the latest in advance paranormal investigation equipment and have some of the most experienced investigators in Virginia with experience going back to the 1980s.

Come learn from their experience and become a “Ghost Hunter” for the evening!

 

Belle Grove Plantation welcomes

Investigator Medium Laine Crosby

http://www.lainecrosby.com/

As an investigative Medium, Laine has worked on missing person cases and with authors, historians, archaeologists and paranormal investigators. Author of “Investigative Medium – the Awakening”, Laine tells her own story of discovering her abilities and her amazing life as a medium.

Now have a chance to meet Laine Crosby for a very special session during our Paranormal Workshop!

 

Paranormal Workshop Schedule for Saturday, October 26th

Laine Crosby – Medium – 10:30am to 12:00pm

Break for Lunch – 12:00pm to 1:00pm (no food will be provided onsite)

Ghost Hunting 101 – 1:00pm to 1:30pm

Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) – 2:00pm to 2:30pm

Videography and Capturing Evidence – 3:00pm to 3:30pm

Case Management/ The Good, the Bad, The Curious (forms of hauntings) – 4:00pm – 4:30pm

Equipment Explanation – 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Tickets for the Paranormal Workshop

Individual Classes – $15.00

All Day Workshop (all classes) – $70.00

(This does not include the cost for the Medium Session)

Medium Session – $40.00

Overnight Ghost Hunt

Have you ever wanted to be a “Ghost Hunter”?

Come join us for an evening of Ghost Hunting at Belle Grove Plantation!

Hosted by Southeast Virginia Paranormal Investigators

 http://virginia-paranormal.com/

Work with the experts as they show you how to use their latest in advance paranormal investigation equipment and knowledge to help you discover if Belle Grove Plantation is haunted.

Ghost Hunting

Friday, October 25th – 8pm to 4am

Saturday, October 26^th -8pm to 4am

Halloween! Thursday, October 31^st – 8pm to 4am

The Ghost Hunt will be a group of 25 individuals so space is very limited.

Tickets For Overnight Ghost Hunting

Ghost Hunt – $50

 

Suites Available for Overnight Ghost Hunting

Book a room and receive 20% off your room price!

Only Two Rooms left!

Please book your room on our Website

www.BelleGrovePlantation.com

Important!

You may cancel your tickets or room up to Sunday, October 13th. If you cancel before this date, you will receive a complete refund. If you cancel after this date, no refunds will be given unless we can fill your space.

To See More Events and Local Attractions at Belle Grove Plantation

Please visit our Official Website at

https://www.bellegroveplantation.com/

or Please visit our Facebook Fan Page