Springdale Village Inn

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Location Springdale is just 40 minutes to the Washington Dulles airport, 90 minutes from Baltimore Airport and just one hour from Washington D.C. It is situated in the quaint village of Lincoln, within the historic district of Goose Creek Quaker Village. Located in the heart of Northern Virginia Wine Country, Springdale is only a short drive to numerous historical sites; Harper’s Ferry, Middleburg’s Belle Grove Plantation, Manassas Battlefield and Virginia Hunt Country are places you’ll want to visit. Also nearby you’ll find the quaint town of Leesburg, Morven Park and Oatlands Plantation. History Springdale was built by avid abolitionist, government official, writer, noted educator, and evangelical Quaker, Samuel M. Janney. Known as a ‘loyal fighter for the mistreated,’ he was credited with establishing Sunday Schools and day school for African American children. He personally taught his hired farm hands to read and write. His ancestors were long invested in Goose Creek; they settled here from Pennsylvania in 1745. Springdale was originally a highly successful girl’s boarding school, the first on the East Coast. When the Civil War got too close, Janney sent his students home for safety and then used Springdale as a soldiers' hospital serving both the North and South. Hand-carved initials can still be seen in the hardwood floors, presumed to be from soldiers being treated in the hospital. According to family and town legend, it is believed that Springdale served as one of the last stops of the Underground Railroad. This is supported by architectural evidence of sub-basements, crawl spaces, curious cubby holes and closed-off fireplaces. The Potomac River and freedom were only 14 miles away. Interestingly, Janney possessed a personal pass, signed by President Lincoln, to cross the Potomac during the War when all others were barred. Springdale later housed a co-ed school and then in the early 1900’s served as a boarding house, housing up to 35 people at a time. It was later purchased as a private weekend retreat where Sam Rayburn and Lyndon B. Johnson were known to play poker in the parlor. In recent years, Springdale Country Inn was a B & B, hosting small business gatherings and receptions. Springdale is listed on both the national and state registers of historic places. Features The estate is comprised of five rolling acres with a babbling brook, wooden bridges, gardens and benches along wooded trails. Nearly two acres are of reconstructed native wild flower gardens feature plants that would have been commonly grown 100 years ago. The elegant, federal-style manor home boasts four stories, 25 rooms, eight fireplaces and a perfectly situated sun room with stunning views of the property. Constructed primarily of stone and oak, Springdale is marked by quality craftsmanship. It has the original Quaker pegs and dumb-waiter and now houses a commercial kitchen and state of the art sprinkler system. Surrounding Area Just up-the-road, you’ll find the quaint village of Lincoln. The best way to see this area is on foot. The Lincoln Loop is a 3.6 mile stroll down three gravel roads that begins and ends at the historic Goose Creek Meeting House. Purcellville Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Registry for its abundance of pre and post-Civil War architecture is a quick 2 and a half miles away. A few of Purcellville’s landmarks include the 1904 W&OD train depot, the 1905 Smith & Hirst Mill, now home to ‘Magnolias at the Mill’ restaurant where patrons eat amongst historic mill machinery, and Nichols Hardware. This iconic hardware store has been in the same family and location for 100 years. With their floor-to-ceiling wooden drawers, treasure-hunt type shopping and hand-written bills, it is an experience not to be missed. J Riley Stewart posted an excellent article in his blog, along with gorgeous photographs, about this area's history and...