Travel

• Two nights, three days in a deluxe suite at "The Martha"
• Full breakfast for two each morning
• Dinner for two at Sisters American Grill on the evening of your choice
• Round of golf for 2 at The Virginian OR Creeper Trail bus and bikes with picnic lunch
• $100 spa credit
• Tickets for 2 to a performance at the Barter Theatre

"The Martha"

The Martha Washington Inn & Spa began life as the retirement home for General Robert Preston following his successes in the War of 1812! It was built in 1832 as a private residence for General Francis Preston and Sarah Buchanan Preston and their nine children.

Much of the architectural integrity of this historic landmark has been meticulously preserved for over a century and a half. The original brick residence still comprises the central structure of The Martha Washington Hotel and the original living room of the Preston family is now the main lobby of the hotel. In fact, the grand stairway and parlors are today much as they were in the 19th century. The rare and elaborate Dutch-baroque grandfather clock, measuring over nine feet tall, was shipped from England by one of the Preston daughters, Mrs. Floyd, and now resides in the Edith Wilson Parlor.

Amazingly, over 150 years ago the residence was built for just under $15,000 dollars. Although paltry by today's standards, this was undoubtedly a precious sum at the time! In 1858 the Preston family home was purchased for the ridiculous sum of $21,000 dollars in order for the mansion to become an upscale college for young women. In honor of the first lady of our nation, the school was named Martha Washington College and affectionately coined “The Martha” by locals. The college operated for over 70 years through the years of the Civil War and the Great Depression. In fact, it was during the Civil War that many of the Martha's most intriguing ghost stories and legends evolved.

The “War Between the States” was soon to have a dramatic effect on the college. Schoolgirls became nurses and the beautiful grounds became training barracks for the Washington Mounted Rifles. Union and Confederate troops were involved in frequent skirmishes in and around the town with the College serving as a makeshift hospital for the wounded, both Confederate and Yankee. Despite the devastating effects of the Civil War, the Martha Washington College survived. However, the Great Depression, typhoid fever and a declining enrollment eventually took its toll. The Martha was closed in 1932, standing idle for several years.

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 of the 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.

In 1935, The Martha Washington 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 and began a multi 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 & Spa stands as gateway to the past, providing those modern amenities expected by today's traveler amid the genteel elegance of period antiques and furnishings.

The Barter Theatre

The Barter Theatre began in 1933, during the Great Depression, with one man's idea to have patrons pay with produce and has grown today into a year-round theatre with more than 160,000 visitors each year. Barter Theatre is the state theatre of Virginia, the nation’s longest running professional theatre, and has received countless awards and accolades over its history. Barter Theatre has been a launching pad for the careers of many iconic actors and actresses. Barter's best known alumni include: Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, Hume Cronyn, Ned Beatty, Gary Collins, Wayne Knight, and Larry Linville.

The Virginian Golf Course

2,000-ft elevation. Par 72. 7,025 yds/black tees.

"At The Virginian, we have built a course that honors the land it's built upon, which fulfills the commitment we made to the owners, and which provides a thrill for the player. You won't find a better course anywhere. I like the way the whole place feels. From the country drive, through the stone entrance walls: you know something special is going on out here.

The long range views from across the valleys, with the ridges, the mountains in the background, are spectacular. We made no compromises at The Virginian. The fairway carpet is zoysia, the greens are the finest Pennlinks bent, and there are several other grass varieties around bunkers and roughs to add color and texture to the course.

Each hole is unique, with its own special challenge for the golfer. In some locations, blessed by Mother Nature, there was little issue figuring out where to place the holes. The Virginian's land is one of those areas of great natural beauty, with a high knoll as the obvious starting point. From the clubhouse, you can look in all directions and see what I hope you will agree is a magnificent golf course. We hope it adds something to the game of golf."

-- Tom Fazio, Designer of the Virginian Golf Club

The Virginia Creeper Trail

The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34.3-mile rail-to-recreation trail starting in Abingdon, traveling through Damascus, VA and ending just past Whitetop Station at the Virginia-North Carolina border. This spectacular trail attracts over 100,000 visitors each year to partake of the natural and scenic beauty of this area.

The gentle grade and easy access points make the Creeper Trail fun for all members of the family, young and old.  Bicyclists feel the wind in their hair as they coast down 17 miles from Whitetop to Damascus.  Anglers use the trail to access some of the best trout fishing in Virginia.  

Railroad historians search for date spikes and relics from the days when the trail was a working line that hauled people and timber from deep in the southwest Virginia mountains.

Abingdon, VA

The town of Abingdon is located in Washington County in the Blue Ridge Highlands region of Virginia. It was named after the ancestral home of Martha Washington.

Cultural activities can be enjoyed at the William King Museum of Art and the Barter Theatre, which is considered the "State Theatre of Virginia" and one of the longest-running professional regional theatres in the nation.

Abingdon is a Virginia Historic Landmark and its 20-square block Historic District includes the Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum, which shows how a typical family lived in the pre-Civil War period; Holston Mountain Artisans in a Victorian landmark; The Arts Depot, an 1870 restored railroad station; and the Martha Washington Inn & Spa, a Four-Star, Historic Hotel of America, which was built in 1832.

Abingdon is one of the towns along The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail and is home of the annual Virginia Highlands Festival, one of the most popular events in Virginia.

For those whose idea of play time includes shopping, nightlife or live music, fun is always on tap. Main Street and the historic downtown district is filled with great restaurants and unique shops and galleries. A craft beer brewery and winery are nearby. Don’t miss Heartwood – Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway where you’ll find crafts, gifts, delicious food and live music.

SO DAY OR NIGHT; INDOORS OR OUTDOORS; IT’S ALWAYS PLAY TIME IN ABINGDON.