Holtz team paints, restores Belle Grove Plantation in King George County
Michelle Darnell’s goal was always to have a home with a history. In 2013, she and her husband, Brett, found just the place: Belle Grove Plantation, the birthplace of President James Madison.
“My grand Southern grandmother taught me three things: entertaining, cooking, and history,” Michelle says. “We knew we wanted history; we just didn’t know we’d get this much history.”
The home, built in 1791, has been fully restored and is filled with period antiques. The Darnells operate a bed and breakfast featuring guest rooms named for former residents. Visitors also come for tours focusing on the property’s history, monthly afternoon teas, and special events.
Painting refresh
The Darnells undertook a renovation in order to maintain and preserve the mansion, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The H.J. Holtz & Son team assisted by refreshing interior walls with touch-up painting, which in places involved addressing water damage and mold. The team also removed the house’s shutters for off-site repair and painting. Finally, the Holtz team repaired exterior wood and then painted the full exterior.
“The project seems to have gone very well,” Michelle says. “The fresh paint and exterior repairs have truly revitalized the appearance of the house, making it look brand new. We are eagerly anticipating the return of our beautifully restored shutters to complete the transformation.”
Living with the past
An unexpected highlight of the project was one Holtz team member’s interaction with one of Belle Grove’s resident ghosts.
“We are known to be very haunted,” Michelle says. “I love all my ghosts.”
The spirit of Nathaniel, an enslaved person, resides in Belle Grove’s basement. The Holtz team member took a photo of a basement window, to record its initial condition, and upon closer inspection saw a shadowy image of a head behind the glass.
“He was excited,” Michelle says.
The Darnells aim to include a full presentation of the plantation in their tours and don’t shy away from discussing the enslaved persons who lived and worked there. Michelle has found five years of death records pertaining to enslaved persons, which often include the individuals’ medical and family details.
“We want to illuminate all history,” she says.
Looking ahead
Michelle and Brett Darnell were introduced to H.J. Holtz & Son by their property manager, Jan Kovar. Michelle says they have been happy with the company’s work. “I would certainly consider using the Holtz team for future projects,” Michelle says. “They’ve been very nice.”
For more information about Belle Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast, visit BelleGrovePlantation.com.
