Special Features Series
2007 - 2008
Co-Chairs: Dee Baker and Delores Hendricks
THE PEARL S. BUCK BIRTHPLACE
Hillsboro, West Virginia
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007
Located in the beautiful and historic "Little Levels" of Pocahontas County, at Hillsboro, West Virginia,
is the restored Birthplace of Pearl S. Buck, the most distinguished descendant of two outstanding families-the Stulting
and the Sydenstricker families. This house was built by the Stulting family who emigrated from Holland to America in 1847
and who lived here on a sixteen acre farm. On June 26, 1892 the birth of Pearl
Comfort Sydenstricker took place here.
Today, the birthplace is a fine historic house museum of 1892 where guides will greet you.
Period rooms contain some of the original furniture and memorabilia of Pearl S. Buck. The Sydenstricker House, birthplace
of Pearl S. Buck's father Absolom, originally in Greeenbrier County, has been dismantled, transported 40 miles,
and reconstructed here for use as a cultural center, with the log section as a Sydenstricker Museum.
Thus, the Birthplace has grown into a farm complex, adding a new historical dimension.
We will depart from Blacksburg Square (across from Gables Shopping Center and in front of the Virginia Tech Surplus Facility)
via Abbott Trailways bus. We will leave Blacksburg Square promptly at 8:30 AM. We will return at approximately 6:30 PM.
Cost is $50 per person, an all-inclusive package (Abbott Trailways bus, museum entrance fees, and lunch). Guests (including husbands!)
are welcome.
Reservations must be received by the Treasurer no later than Wednesday, October 10, 2007.
MARTHA WASHINGTON INN and BARTER THEATRE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2007
Mark your calendars.... On December 6, we will again have a wonderful day in historic Abingdon,
Virginia with a performance at the Barter Theatre and Lunch at the Martha Washington Inn. Details will
appear in the November newsletter.
THOMAS JEFFERSON'S POPLAR FOREST
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2008
Mark your calendars now for a trip on April 9th that is sure to appeal to everyone. The first stop will be Thomas Jefferson's
Poplar Forest, a well kept secret, and for generations was lost to history. This landmark was open to the public for the first time
in 1986. After a delicious lunch at Meriweather's Restaurant in Lynchburg (pay on your own), a tour of the Maier Art Museum at Randolph College, housing a small collection
of American art, will complete the day. The March newsletter has more details and the reservation form.
HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK TOUR IN ROANOKE
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2008
Historic Garden Week has grown to be the largest and oldest statewide house and garden tour event in the nation, and this year marks Virginia's 75th
anniversary tour season. This year's garden tour will be to Roanoke (April Around Avenham) and is sponsored
by the Roanoke Valley Garden Club and the Mill Mountain Garden Club. Following a gourmet box lunch by Chanticleer Catering
and a lecture/demonstration on "Garden Statuary" featuring containers and statuary from Black Dog Salvage at the South Roanoke
Methodist Church, we will visit four large homes and gardens on a walking tour around Avenham Avenue. For more specific details of the tour,
visit the Garden Tour website. The March newsletter has the reservation form.
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