For Immediate Release
August 1, 2002

A Slice of Virginia History
The Martha Washington Inn, a one-time mansion, was built as a private residence for just under $15,000 in 1832. The mansion’s first family was General Francis Preston, his wife Sarah Buchanan Preston and their nine children.

Born in Virginia, General Preston attended law school at William and Mary College, served in Congress and was a member of the Virginia Assembly until 1797. During the War of 1812 he was commissioned a colonel and marched with his regiment to Norfolk. In 1820 Preston was appointed a brigadier general. Ten years later construction began on the Preston mansion. Once the Preston home was completed, many of Virginia’s famous and powerful passed through her doors.

Through the years the house became filled with priceless gifts and furnishings. The rare and elaborate Dutch-Baroque grandfather clock measuring over nine feet tall and now residing in the East Parlor was shipped from England by one of the Preston daughters, Mrs. Floyd. The clock still works today.

A son, William Campbell Preston, while attending school in Europe with two of his friends -- the now well known Washington Irving and Sir Walter Scott -- made an unusual contribution of his own. A Smoke tree, transplanted from Napoleon’s grave in France to the front lawn, lived for more than a century, surviving until 1984.

After securing through marriages a foothold for his children in some of the South’s best families, General Preston died in 1835. His wife survived until 1858.

The original brick residence of the Prestons still comprises the central structure of The Martha Washington Inn. Their living room is the main lobby, and the grand stairway and parlors are today much as they were in yesteryear. The furnishings that were carefully collected by the Preston family and subsequent benefactors are now priceless antiques that grace the lovely guestrooms and public spaces of the inn.

After the death of Mrs. Preston, the Preston family home was used for a variety of purposes. In 1858 it was purchased for $21,000 and became an elite college for women. As Martha Washington College, it soon earned a local nickname – The Martha -- that has endured to this day.

Benefactors of The Martha enhanced the mansion’s furnishings, acquiring and showcasing beautiful heirlooms and exquisite gifts. Martha Washington herself honored the school that bore her name, presenting the college with a delicate teacup and saucer which was protected by a bell jar on the mantle of the front parlor.

But during the Civil War books were cast aside, the colonial costumes the college girls donned annually to honor George and Martha Washington were exchanged for the uniforms of nurses, and Virginia reels and minuets made way for the sounds of marching soldiers. During the Civil War the mansion served as a makeshift hospital and the grounds became training barracks for the Washington Mounted Rifles.

The college survived the Civil War, but the Great Depression, typhoid fever, and a declining enrollment eventually took its toll. The Martha was closed in 1932, and for the next 50 years The Martha was to experience a number of changes in ownership. For a period of time the facility was used to house actors and actresses appearing at the Barter Theatre across the street. Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, and Ned Beatty are but a few prominent actors who began their career here… all of whom have later returned to visit The Martha. The Barter Theatre is today known as the longest-running professional resident theatre in America as well as the State Theatre of Virginia.

In 1935 The Martha Washington Inn opened as a hotel and throughout the years has hosted many illustrious guests. Eleanor Roosevelt, President Harry Truman, Lady Bird Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and Elizabeth Taylor are counted among the many famous guests who have frequented the hotel. Fortunately, much of the inn’s historic charm, antiques, and architectural detail were preserved, even though its future was at times uncertain.

In 1984, The United Company, representing a group of dedicated businessmen, purchased The Martha Washington Inn and began an eight million dollar renovation. Aware of this historic landmark’s importance to the town of Abingdon, the restoration was carefully designed to preserve and enhance much of its original splendor and architectural detail.

In 1995 The Martha Washington Inn joined The Camberley Collection of fine historic properties. Sensitive to their role as stewards of a long and enduring legacy, Camberley maintains the inn’s strong ties with the Barter Theatre and the community of Abingdon. Today The Martha Washington Inn stands as gateway to the past, providing those modern amenities expected by today’s traveler amid the genteel elegance of period antiques and furnishings.

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