Today I got the opportunity to visit Belle Grove Plantation! WOW!
Belle Grove is located in King George County,Virginia and is the birth place of James Madison. This is a beautiful place for a weekend getaway or a wedding! Michelle Darnell runs Belle Grove and has put her heart into making this an incredible Virginia gem! There was so much history… and Michelle told me stories about how she has lovingly added elements (like furniture, antique decor and rugs) to the plantation. Belle Grove opened in August of 2013.
There were so many cool things about this place!! Too many for one blog post, but I will share something that really intrigued me. There was a window on the upper level of the house that was hand etched. I asked Michelle about the story behind it, and here is a quote from her,
“The etching came into fashion during the Victorian age. A bride would write her name, her fiance’s name and the date they would marry. It was said to prove that the diamond was real.
Our etching reads:
Carrie Turner
M (or could be W) Vanderburgh
May 18, 1896
Carrie was Caroline Turner, oldest daughter of Carolinus and Susan Turner. Carolinus purchased the property in 1839. The etching has a mystery behind it because Carrie didn’t marry Mr. Vanderburgh and she didn’t get married in 1869. She got married in 1872 to Dr. William Newton Jett. We have done some research and think we have narrowed it down to a Union Soldier. We just don’t know which one (there are several) and haven’t made that final confirmed connection. We hope to get History Detectives in to finish the story one day.”
Oh, there is a mystery there!!
Look for more photos of Belle Grove Plantation! I went there to scope out the light and surroundings for a stylized shoot coming up with Brides and Weddings in the very near future! I am really excited to work with other amazingly talented wedding professionals to create what I know will be an incredible shoot!
Oh, one more thing…James Madison himself stayed there recently! Don’t believe me…check out Belle Grove’s website for his photo and I took a photo of his entry in the room guest book!
