The Restoration of Avoca

Gladys’ Fauntleroy was the last person to inhabit Avoca House, and when she moved out in the 1970s the house sat empty. In 1981 the grandson of Gladys, Dr. Lindley M. Winston, donated the property to the town of Altavista. The town promptly got to work, and a team of volunteers opened the Staunton River Valley Museum, which operated out of the brick kitchen. Some of these dedicated volunteers included Nancy and Donal Dinwiddie, Carma and Pete Fauntleroy, and Bill Martin. The main house was gradually brought back to life in a process that focused on one room at a time. Take note of the picture in the uppermost right corner of the collage to see the parlor room freshly restored, pre-wallpaper, and empty of furniture.  If it had not been for the generous donations and assistance from such companies as the Lane Corporation and Country Living Magazine, we might not have the Avoca so beloved today. One of the most important groups in keeping Avoca alive and thriving over the years has been the Altavista townspeople. As seen in the photos below, Avoca has been loyally reported on for years in the Altavista Journal. Groups of people flocked to Avoca, even before the restoration, to enjoy a variety of events. Some of these events pictured include a hat exhibit, a wedding exhibit, and Colonial Day. The efforts of the people of Altavista, along with donors, set the tone for Avoca’s purpose. Avoca Museum and Historical Society stands today to preserve history, educate, and bring together the community of Altavista.

Nothing quite encapsulates the feelings associated with an historical event more than a newspaper headline. How many people have remembered moments of historical precedence throughout the years by purchasing a newspaper and carefully hiding it away for future generations to gawk over? The urge to remember the events of one’s lifetime through the collection of material items is an act not only valuable to the study of the past, but the human experience itself.  One quick eBay search will produce hundreds of old newspapers for sale, some with high price tags. This week’s post features two newspapers recently found hidden away in Avoca’s collections. Both of these newspapers are from the local Lynchburg newspaper, before it was ever known as the News & Advance. The first headline, dated September 2, 1945, reads “Japanese Sign Surrender Pact,” and the second, dated November 23, 1963, reads “President Assassinated; Johnson Is Sworn In.” Both of these newspapers encapsulate two of the 20th century’s biggest historical events. Do you have any memorable newspapers hidden away for the future?

Currently Avoca’s archives are in the process of being research and sorted. The majority of the items in the archives are pictures of the Fauntleroy family that have never been seen before. This week we’ve decided to showcase three of these photos. Pictured below are three photos taken around the beginning of the 20th century, all showing various members of the Fauntleroy family. These pictures serve as a reminder that the past is never as far away as we might think it is. In the 100 years which have passed since these photos were captured, Avoca has transformed from a beloved family home into a beloved local museum. These photos also show that people from the past are no different from us. People in history enjoyed each other’s company and did silly things, including driving one’s car on the front lawn.