Google News and Bing!

Sep. 10th 2013

Google News

Guess whose Press Release showed up on Google News and Bing today!!

Yup – page one or page two!

Go to Google News and Google

1. James Madison

2. Historic Site

3. Bed and Breakfast

and see where we come up at!!

Let me know if you find it!!

To learn more about Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast

Please visit our Official Website at

Home Page

https://www.bellegroveplantation.com/

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Belle Grove History, Darnell History | 4 Comments »

Give a Gift that Shows You Love Them!

Aug. 16th 2013

We are excited to announce that we have added Gift Certificates to our Online Store!

gift certificate words

Give the gift of memories to be treasured for years to come.

Take a moment to imagine the pleasures that a gift certificate can offer. Picture an elegant room overlooking a peaceful river. It is this room that gives a gift of romance, relaxation and peace of mind that will represent an experience to be cherished for years to come.

The gift of an overnight stay or a weekend at Belle Grove Plantation can be one of the most thoughtful and appreciated gifts you can give. Be it parents, family or friends, it is the gift that says I love you.

Employers show your staff how much you value them by rewarding them with a gift certificate for a vacation getaway. This gift will allow them an opportunity to enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation.

Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast gift certificates may be purchase in person, by phone or on our online store. You may purchase any amount and they are good for one year from the purchase date. Best of all, there are no blackout dates. Use them any time!

The next time you think about gift giving, consider giving a Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificate – the perfect present for that special person.

VIsit our Online Store today!

https://squareup.com/market/belle-grove-plantation-bed-and-breakfast

To see what we are up to at the Plantation

Facebook Link

Visit our Facebook Page or Official Website!

Home Page

 

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | Comments Off on Give a Gift that Shows You Love Them!

The Furniture Is Arriving!

May. 31st 2013

This morning we received our first load of furniture from Richmond.

We will have many more to come, but there is just something about the first one in the door!

Look and see what we have at the plantation now!

Marble Top End Table

Marble Top End Table

Marble Top End Table - details

Marble Top End Table – details

Marble Top End Table - details

Marble Top End Table – details

Marble Top End Table

Marble Top End Table

Marble Top End Table - detail

Marble Top End Table – detail

Marble Top End Table - detail

Marble Top End Table – detail

Sideboard

Sideboard

Sideboard - detail

Sideboard – detail

Formal Dining Room Chairs

Formal Dining Room Chairs

Formal Dining Room Chairs

Formal Dining Room Chairs

Formal Dining Room - Seats 14 and is 26 ft long and 5 ft wide with seven leaves. Do you think its big enough?

Formal Dining Room – Seats 14 and is 26 ft long and 5 ft wide with seven leaves. Do you think its big enough?

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. It looks just like the one Thomas Jefferson owned at Poplar Forest! If you want to stay in the same room this is going to be in, you will need to reserve the Conway Room.

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. It looks just like the one Thomas Jefferson owned at Poplar Forest! If you want to stay in the same room this is going to be in, you will need to reserve the Conway Room.

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. - detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. – detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. - detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. – detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. - detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. – detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. - detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. – detail

To see more of the items we have purchased for Belle Grove Plantation

Facebook Link

Please visit our Facebook Fan Page

Please “Like and Share” Us

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 38 Comments »

A Day of Shopping

Mar. 10th 2013

Today, while Brett and Hurley hung out at the house doing chores, I took off for Richmond to do a little antique shopping with my good friend, Terri. You may remember Terri from my antique auction trip. She is a great person to have along for a good second opinion.

IMG_5008

We went to Gate’s Antiques. I have been here before, but this time, we did a little more looking in detail. Well, to say we did “a little more” may be underestimating what we did. We spent four hours there! We talked to the owner, Jay Gates, a second generation family member to owns Gate’s Antiques.

Gate’s Antiques is located in Midlothian, Virginia, just outside Richmond. Gate’s Antique was opened in 1961 by Jay’s father and mother. Jay starting working with his family in the store around age six. After attending college and working part time in the store, Jay started working full time in 1997. In 2001, he took over management of the store and has led the business ever since. Jay specializes in American and English furniture from 1650-1925. He also specializes in Chinese and Japanese exports. Jay is an appraiser and is an active member of the New England Appraisers Association. Gate’s Antiques has been recognized as a leader in the antique industry in central Virginia. Recently they were voted Favorite Furniture Repair and Refinishing Shop in 2011 by the Richmond Magazine.

gates-antiques-ltd-21121916_36_273x214

http://gatesantiques.com/

We started off chatting with Jay and his mother about Belle Grove and what our vision was for the plantation. We talked about each room and what I saw in those rooms. We talked about furniture, art, rugs and curtains. We talked about colors, fabrics and wall coverings. We talked about what “statement” we wanted to make when someone walked into the Mansion.

Then we were off to see the furniture he had in stock!

All four warehouses!

It was glorious!

So much to see…

So much to pick from…

Jay asked me:

“What do you think about this one?”

“What do you like about this one?”

“What do you not like about this one?”

“Do you like the legs on this?”

“Do you like the finish on this?”

The best part was that when I said, “No, I don’t like that.” He was okay with it. We just moved on to the next piece. And as time went on, he seemed to zero in on what my style was, even though I still don’t know what it is. It was like I explained to Jay. I can take food and place it on a plate and make it look and taste good. But I can’t take furniture and place in a room and make it look right. I need someone that is going to listen to me and help me take those pieces I like and make sense of them in a room.

By the end of our walk through, I was ready to buy most of his items. But I can’t just yet. First we need to get a proposal and see what we have to work with. Then we can make sure that we have the right person doing the job.

So today was mostly window shopping…

But next time…

It will be for real!

Below are some of the items we saw today. If you have Twitter or Integram, you got to “live” it in real time! We will be doing that as we go along. So you too can get the thrill of filling Belle Grove.

Grandfather Clock

Grandfather Clock

Grandfather Clock - Eagle on top

Grandfather Clock – Eagle on top

Grandfather Clock

Grandfather Clock

One of two mirrors - I'm thinking for one of the Master Suite Baths.

One of two mirrors – I’m thinking for one of the Master Suite Baths.

Could this be our Formal Dining Room Table? Sits 14

Could this be our Formal Dining Room Table? Sits 14

Dining Room Table

Dining Room Table

This Dining Room Table has a main pastel center with legs at either end of the table

This Dining Room Table has a main pastel center with legs at either end of the table

One of the Chairs for the Dining Room Table. This Table and Chairs came from an estate in Richmond.

One of the Chairs for the Dining Room Table. This Table and Chairs came from an estate in Richmond.

Could this be the Full Tester Bed for our Madison Master Suite?

Could this be the Full Tester Bed for our Madison Master Suite?

Could this be the Highboy to go into the Madison Master Suite?

Could this be the Highboy to go into the Madison Master Suite?

These two tables have a surprise!

These two tables have a surprise!

They are wash tables!

They are wash tables!

This is one of their four warehouse. It was a Candy Factory in Richmond. They took it down and rebuilt here!

This is one of their four warehouse. It was a Candy Factory in Richmond. They took it down and rebuilt here!

Isn't this beautiful! It is a rare Mahogany Wood that is endangered now. We won't be getting it. Too costly.

Isn’t this beautiful! It is a rare Mahogany Wood that is endangered now. We won’t be getting it. Too costly.

But boy it is so pretty!

But boy it is so pretty!

This is a Linen Press that we are thinking for the Madison Master Suite.

This is a Linen Press that we are thinking for the Madison Master Suite.

Inside the Linen Press

Inside the Linen Press

Could this be one of our beds? No.. I don't think so!

Could this be one of our beds? No.. I don’t think so!

I fell in love with this one! Its early 1800s Dutch China Hutch. I love the how the glass is on all sides of the shelves.

I fell in love with this one! Its early 1800s Dutch China Hutch. I love the how the glass is on all sides of the shelves.

Inlay on the Dutch China Hutch... a least its too costly.. darn!

Inlay on the Dutch China Hutch… a least its too costly.. darn!

This is early 1800s Highboy with all the original hardware! Could it be for our Conway Junior Suite?

This is early 1800s Highboy with all the original hardware! Could it be for our Conway Junior Suite?

1800s Highboy Original Hardware

1800s Highboy Original Hardware

1800s Highboy Original Hardware

1800s Highboy Original Hardware

1800s Highboy Base

1800s Highboy Base

Rosewood Love Seats - they have been used in several movies. Not Lincoln

Rosewood Love Seats – they have been used in several movies. Not Lincoln

Could this dramatic couch be for our Grand Hallway?

Could this dramatic couch be for our Grand Hallway?

Check out the feet! It's a Lion's claw with a cornucopia for the leg.

Check out the feet! It’s a Lion’s claw with a cornucopia for the leg.

This is a primitive Plantation Desk.

This is a primitive Plantation Desk.

Inside

Inside

An English Plantation Desk

An English Plantation Desk

Inside

Inside

The English Plantation Desk Hardware

The English Plantation Desk Hardware

The English Plantation Desk Hardware

The English Plantation Desk Hardware

The English Plantation Desk Hardware

The English Plantation Desk Hardware

An American Plantation Desk made in New England.

An American Plantation Desk made in New England.

Inside

Inside

This an engraving called "Last Meeting" of Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson. I would love to see it in the Library.

This an engraving called “Last Meeting” of Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson. I would love to see it in the Library.

This is one of two couches that were also in the movies. And Lincoln was one of them!

This is one of two couches that were also in the movies. And Lincoln was one of them!

Tomorrow, it’s off to the plantation to get some measurements.

DSC_0015

Hurley will be coming along.

We might just have to get some video of him enjoying the plantation!

Please don’t forget to get your Cookie Recipe Entered!

Click James Madison to Learn How to Enter!

Cookie Contest Image

Deadline is March 29th!

No Entry Fee is Required!

We are accepting donations that will go towards our Restoration Fund! 

Donation

We really do appreciate any small donation you can make!

DSC_0036

Inside the Summer Kitchen - The Walls are starting to deteriorate. This is also one of the last original Slave Quarters in Virginia that dates back to the 1700s!

Inside the Summer Kitchen – The Walls are starting to deteriorate. This is also one of the last original Slave Quarters in Virginia that dates back to the 1700s!

Our little Smokehouse has already lost one wall and is starting to lean. We are going to have to get it stabilized.

Our little Smokehouse has already lost one wall and is starting to lean. We are going to have to get it stabilized.

It will help us restore our Summer Kitchen, Ice House and Smoke House.

These buildings date to the 1700s and 1800s.

Please help us preserve our “living history” so other generations will understand by seeing the real thing.

Thank you!

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 53 Comments »

A Night to Remember

Feb. 13th 2013

After so many days, months, even years to get to this point, going into the Planning Commission Public Hearing, we still felt the passion we had from the first day we saw Belle Grove. We arrived about 30 minutes early to prepare ourselves.

As we stood in the hall outside the board room, we watched as people started to arrive. One of the first was Jean, President of the King George Historic Society. We had met her and her husband early on in the process. She and the King George Historic Society have been wonderful sources of information for the history of Belle Grove. They also have checked in with us throughout to show their support for us. We chatted with her until the meet going on before ours ended just before 7pm.

As we waited with Jean, a gentleman exited the board room and stopped to speak to Jean. We weren’t introduced, but later Brett told me it was one of the Board of Supervisors members. What caught my ear about this conversation was a comment he said about approving Belle Grove as a Bed and Breakfast. He said, “There are pros and cons, just like any other.” From all those we have spoken with from the local area, we had not really heard any negative comments towards doing it. And while this really isn’t a negative comment, it brought the thought into my mind that there could be someone that didn’t like the idea. And that thought scared me to the bone.

We made our way into the room. At the front was a panel with board members seated. To the right of the panel was a small table with two ladies. One of the two was Heather, a staff member of the Zoning Department of King George. We had met Heather during our meeting at Belle Grove just weeks earlier. When I looked over at her, she gave me a warm smile and waved. That gave me some peace in knowing that there was someone in the room I knew approved. And it was nice to see a smiling face.

People filtered in and took their seats. The property manager for the owner arrived and sat behind us. All told there were about ten to fifteen people in the audience of the board room. I knew at least five of them by name. So that left another five to ten that I didn’t know; ones I didn’t know how they were going to lean. Worry creped in again.

Just as we got ready to go, in came the Zoning Director, Jack. Brett had been working with Jack to get all the required items done and on paper before this meeting. If it hadn’t been for Jack’s continued help and source of endless answers to our many questions, I don’t think we would have gotten this done so fast. Jack came in and turned on his projector and took his seat at the table before the panel. In the back of my mind as Jack sat down, I thought of how people go before Congress to answer questions about one thing or another. I thought of the “grilling” that the members of Congress are known to give to individuals before them and panic slipped in. Would they “grill” us?

The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order. I stopped breathing. My first thought was, “This is either going to be the best meeting ever or its going to end my dream.” The Chairman called on one of the board members to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. After the pledge, the Chairman called on another board member to lead us in the invocation. We took our seats and it began.

The Chairman went through the required reading of past meetings minutes over December and January and held the vote to approve the minutes. During this time, I started watching each member. I wanted to watch their reactions to hopefully gage their feelings later. After the approval of the previous minutes, they move to our case.

Jack opened our case by explaining what we were there for. First he told how our plantation is zoned as “A1”, which mean agricultural. Our application is asking for a Special Exception to use the plantation as a Bed and Breakfast. He also explained that we could seek either a Bed and Breakfast Exception or a Bed and Breakfast Inn Exception. To get just the Bed and Breakfast Exception would mean we would run the Bed and Breakfast with overnight guests only. The Bed and Breakfast Inn Exception would allow us to do the Bed and Breakfast with overnight guests and have catered events such as weddings. So of course we are seeking the latter.

Jack also explained that we were seeking approval to use gravel on the driveway and parking areas instead of asphalt. He told the board that we had asked for this special exception in order to maintain the historic integrate of the property. He showed what County Ordinances allowed us to ask for both exceptions.

As Jack was going through his explanations and showing different slides, I again found myself watching the board members out of the corner of my eye. I didn’t want them to see me looking them over so I tried to watch the slides as Jack spoke. Each time a picture of Belle Grove would come up, I felt a smile come over my face and the thought, “Look how beautiful.” would creep into my mind. It just gave me chills seeing them up on the screen. As for the members, I had a hard time “reading” them. No one gave me an approving look nor did they show their feeling of displeasure. My thought was, “This is going to be a hard night.”

Once Jack finished with his presentation, board members asked several questions. The first question was about the gravel. One member asked if using pavers instead of gravel would be better. For one the pavers would keep us from having to create a storm run-off area. Jack explained that we could use pavers or gravel, but due to cost he felt we had selected gravel. He also explained that if we wished to change it to pavers we could without having to make any changes to the plan or having to come back in front of the board for approval. Brett and I would later talk about this possible change. We are going to consult with our landscaping contractor, Arrowood Designs of Fredericksburg and Fredericksburg Paving to see which would be more cost effective. If we have to create storm run-off and have to pay an engineer to design it, the cost may come close to just using pavers. And we also thought that if we used pavers instead of gravel, later if we decided to move the parking, we could just remove the pavers and repurpose them somewhere else.

The next question was around what would happen to the other acres that we weren’t using. The member that asked this question looked as if he wasn’t leaning our way or at least that what I “read” in his look as he asked about the acres. Jack explained that we didn’t know what the corporation was going to do with the other acres and that it had no bearing on this application. I started to worry more. Was there going to be someone that would disapprove this application because of the other acres not being placed in historic easement?

After that, Jack took his seat with no more questions from the board. The Chairman then called Brett to speak for the applicants and owners. My heart jumped. Brett confidently stood up and approached the stand. He first introduced us to the members and told a little about our background. How we had been married for 26 years and had a daughter, who was 24 years and a son, who was 21 years and a dog named Hurley who was 8 years. We got a snicker or two from that one. Brett told of our military background, he being a retired Naval Corpsman and my being in the Marine Corps. He talked about our current positions and about my past culinary positions. He spoke about my catering business that we had several years ago with the kids were still very young.

Then Brett explained how we decided five years ago to start actively looking for a home to start a bed and breakfast. He explained how we had always wanted to open one and how we knew it would have to be historically significant. He told how we came across the first Belle Grove in Middletown, Virginia, the home of Isaac and Nelly Madison Hite, sister of James Madison. How we later visited Montpelier, James Madison’s home and fell in love with the Madison History. How we came across an ad on the internet for our Belle Grove and saw it for the first time two days later. He told of our endless hours of research into the history of Belle Grove using the internet and visiting the Virginia Historic Society, The Library of Virginia, the Swem Library at the College of William and Mary and even finding information at the Seaver Center at the Natural Museum in Los Angeles County, California.

He told how through our blog we had been able to connect to past families that lived at Belle Grove and retrieved history that could have been lost to time. He told how we had started our blog in May, 2011 and that we were just sly of 100,000 hits in just nine months, been viewed in 146 countries and have around 3800 followers. He told how we had a Facebook Fan Page that at that time had 906 Likes. He told of our presents on Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. He explained how we connected with area historic sites such as Montpelier, The James Madison Museum and Stratford Hall and set up to cross promote each other. How we were added as a Virginia Historic Home in the Governor of Virginia’s “Year of the Virginia Historical Homes” Campaign. How we have been reaching out to local farmers and vineyards to serve local Virginia products at Belle Grove.

As Brett finished up, I looked over the members of the board. I looked for expressions of emotion and got none. Brett did a great job. I was so proud of him. He took his seat and the Chairman opened the floor for comments from the audience. I held my breath again.

First up was a gentleman named Jim from Port Royal, Virginia, which is just across the river from Belle Grove. We met Jim first on Facebook and then at a local event. We invited him and his wife to come to the plantation to tour it several months ago. As he spoke, he told the board that he was a member of the Board of Supervisors for Port Royal and there as a representative of Port Royal. He talked about how important it was that Belle Grove be opened and occupied instead of standing empty as it has been since 1987. He told how he felt that we would be good stewards of the property and how it would be a benefit for King George County as well as Port Royal.

The next up was a gentleman named Ed from King George, Virginia. We had met Ed through the King George Historic Society and had also given him and his wife a tour of Belle Grove several months ago. Ed is a former Naval Officer and served on the James Madison submarine. He spoke about the importance of Belle Grove and how this would be a benefit to the local community. He also said, “This couple is the embodiment of the Navy-Marine Corps team. This couple has attacked this project with the strategic planning of an amphibious assault.” I have to say that was our favorite comment of the night.

The next up was a gentleman from a plantation next door to Belle Grove named Andrew. We met him and his wife early on as we research the area. They are wonderful people and even gave us a tour of their plantation home. He spoke about the fear they have had with other possible projects for Belle Grove. But through this, they felt that Belle Grove would be best used.

The next up was Jean, the President of the King George Historic Society. She talked about the historic importance of Belle Grove and through the Bed and Breakfast how it would be a benefit to the community.

She was followed by three more individuals. Each spoke of the same historic importance of Belle Grove and how the use as a bed and breakfast would benefit the community. One was even from the Northern Neck Tourism Department.

After they spoke, the Chairman called for any more comments. When no one came forward, he closed the floor. I could feel my muscles tensing, bracing for the impact from the board. The Chairman opened the board for comment. The first to speak was a gentleman I had been keeping my eye on all night. Of all of them, he looked like he might not like the idea. He was also the one that was concern about the rest of the acres. At first he reminded the board of the misgivings he had had with the last project that the owner had presented, one that had be rejected by the Planning Commission. But then he said that this project was different. He felt that this project was a slam dunk. He even started to give a motion to accept the applications until the Chairman stopped him to allow others to speak.

There was one other member that spoke. He too agreed that it was a slam dunk and thought it would be a benefit to the area. With that the Chairman closed the comments. Then the first gentleman put a motion on the floor to accept the two applications. The second gentleman seconded the motion. With that the Chairman put the motion to a vote.

The vote was unanimous….

The Motion was passed to approve the applications to be moved forward to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

The meeting with the Board of Supervisors will be on March 19, 2013.

If approved, we will have our Zoning Permit. At that point, we will get our business license and could start having guest the next day. Of course we can’t do that because, well, we don’t want our guest sleeping on the floor or eating on paper plates! We have to get the mansion filled and get the ground started. Once we have the parking and driveways complete, we have to have one on site approval and the Zoning process will be complete. At least until we want to expand!

I have to say when the vote came and we were approved, I fought back tears of joy. How far we have come! I can’t tell you how many “pot holes” we have encountered on this journey; ones that would have easily stopped us. But it has been through support of all our many blog and Facebook friends, our families, our friends in Chesapeake, King George, Fredericksburg and other parts of Virginia that has helped us around those “pot holes” and on to smoother road. We thank each of you with all our hearts.

We have taken the path less traveled and have blazed a path that has led us here. Our strength has come from those that loved and cared for us. Our determination from those that came before us. And our passion that came from the One and Only.

Thank you!

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 77 Comments »

Tomorrow’s the Day!

Feb. 11th 2013
Belle Grove in the Morning

Belle Grove in the Morning

Can you believe it??

Our first Zoning Permit Public Hearing is tomorrow!!

It seems like forever to get here! 

We are so excited to be here.

As of tomorrow, we have been working on this project for

580 days!!

But what this means for us is the start of the race to the finish line called “Opening Day“.

Once we finish with this meeting (and if we are approved) we will have one more Zoning Permit Meeting on March 19th.

If we are approved on March 19th, we are a “go” to start filling the house and doing the landscaping.

If we get all of that done in time

Opening Day will be

May 1, 2013!

We are excited to have gotten on Twitter and Instagram too!

Now if you are following,  you too can see the purchases we are making and the work we are doing in “real time”!

What a cool way to share the fun!

We want to thank all of you who went to our Facebook Fan Page over the last few days, “Liked” Us and “Shared” Us with your Facebook Friends! This will help us show the Planning Commission and the locals that will be come to our public hearing that we are well on the way to opening a successful Bed and Breakfast in their county!

We are almost to 1000 Likes!

Just 114 more!

Hurley and Brett at the Plantation

Hurley and Brett at the Plantation

I think Hurley deserves that Monster Chew Bone!

We will share the pictures of him getting it once we give it to him!

Facebook Link

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History, Hurley | 37 Comments »

Instagram

Feb. 7th 2013

Yes, we are getting well connected!

instagram

We are now on Instagram! 

If  you follow our blog and Facebook Fan Page,  you know how much I love taking pictures! And what a great time to get started! We are traveling to the plantation on Friday!

Have you ever wondered what we see as we drive to and from the plantation? Tomorrow, I will be posting pictures along the way to the plantation! What a wonderful Virginia country side you will see! 

Please follow us at “bellegroveva” on Instagram  and enjoy!

Help Me

Don’t forget to help Hurley!

When we hit 1000 on our Facebook Fan Page…

Hurley gets a Monster Chew Bone!

We are getting close!

Facebook Link

Thank you to everyone that have “Liked” us and “Shared” us on your Facebook Page!

Also find us on:

Twitter @BelleGroveVA

Pinterest @bellegroveva

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History, Hurley | 23 Comments »

You Be the Judge

Jan. 23rd 2013

They are giving away the Key to the Courthouse!

No, it’s not a building or even a new job…

Flowers by Chikpea

Flowers by Chikpea

It’s a Bridal Expo!

What better way for a future bride and her family to spend a cold Sunday afternoon than to come to the Old Manassas Courthouse in Manassas, Virginia and enjoy the warmth of hospitality this event has to offer!

While Belle Grove Plantation won’t be there to exhibit this time

we will be there to enjoy meeting new vendors!

In fact one of our own selected vendors will be there!

Chikpea Graphics and Weddings

Chikpea

You may remember Chikpea with its team of Raygan and Brigitte! As the graphic design side of Chikpea, Raygan will be showing off her newest designs in invitation and stationary needs. Florist, Brigitte will be there to show off her artist designs in bouquets and flowers for every occasion!

Raygan Ketterer

Raygan Ketterer

Brigitte Morrow

Brigitte Morrow

This event is called

Key to the Courthouse Local Wedding Showcase

It is being hosted by Davis and Talley Events and Designs and the Prince William County Division of Historic Preservation.

Wedding Event Host

www.davistalley.com

You will have an opportunity to chat with knowledgeable exhibitors while sipping on a mimosa and getting ideas for your special day.

Flowers by Chikpea

Flowers by Chikpea

There will be local vendors, consultations, entertainment, tasting tables and more!

Admission is Free!

They will also be giving away prizes every hour.

Door Prizes include

Date Night Giveaway, Girls-Night-In Basket, Pretty Paper Kits,

In-Shape Inspiration and Wedding Mini-Library!

Old Manassas Court House

Old Manassas Court House

This event will be held in

the Historic Old Manassas Courthouse

located at 9246 Lee Avenue, Manassas, Virginia.

The event is from 1pm to 5pm.

For more information, check out their website at:

http://keyweddingshowcase.vpweb.com/?prefix=www

Come out and join us!

We would love to meet you in person!

Flowers by Chikpea

Flowers by Chikpea

We hope to see you there!

Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

Facebook Link

@BelleGroveVA

@BelleGroveVA

pinterest-logo

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Year of the Virginia Historic Homes | 20 Comments »

Belle Grove Plantation Embraces the Bird!

Jan. 7th 2013

Yes, we have finally done it!

We are on Twitter now!

twitter logo

Follow us at

@BelleGroveVA

We are headed back to the plantation tomorrow so I am sure I will have time to figure out how to use it as we drive up! Follow now so you can laugh at my crazy attempts to “Tweet”!

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 37 Comments »

Navigating a New Web Site

Dec. 28th 2012
Belle Grove Carriage side Balcony

Belle Grove Carriage Side Balcony

Since we are playing a waiting game with the Zoning Process, Brett and I are trying to get things done that we can do now. Besides finding vendors that we want to work with, we also need to start thinking about a website for the Bed and Breakfast.

I don’t know about you, but this is all new to me. I thought I was doing really well just managing a blog! So I knew that I was going to need to find someone that I could work with and that would have the patience to explain that different parts to me. I also wanted to find someone that I could trust. Someone that could see our vision for this Historic Plantation and would be able to help me convey it our visitors.

Thankfully I didn’t have to go far. We have someone that we have known for years. His name is Adam. We have known him since he was just a teenager. So when I went to him and asked for help, he was onboard with us.

Bull and Companywww

Bull and Company
www.bandcmediaworks.com

Adam works with a company called “Bull & Company MediaWorks”.

From Bull & Company Media Works:

The Internet has forever changed the world of media.  Recognizing this fact, Bull & Company MediaWorks is positioned to maximize your company’s potential with our expertise in Internet marketing.  We true full-service Internet marketing under one roof, designing and executing Internet marketing plans that leverage all forms of media.

Adam started his career in the flooring business as a Project Manager / Sales Associate / “Do whatever needs to be done” Person. He gained a lot of experience mostly as a Project Manager.  Knowing nothing about web design, he started working for a company called Bullaka Productions (a full service web marketing company) as a part time project manager.  Through the years, he gained the knowledge on how to build websites (imagine that) using the most up to date technologies.  He has worked for companies such as Bull and Crowley MediaWorks, Regent University and Dominion Enterprises doing Web Design and Development.  One of the things he really loves about this field is it combines his love for technology and his heart to serve others.  Learning how he can serve others is a true joy!  On a more personal side of things, Adam’s family is one of the most important things to him. For Adam, there’s nothing better than to be a father and a husband!  For us, family is very important and having it be a big part of his life speaks volumes to us.

Adam Woods and Family

Adam Woods and Family

To contact Adam please email him at adam@bandcmediaworks.com

or call him at 757-621-9194.

Please let him know that Michelle and Brett sent you!

So we have a web designer, now we need to put together the information they will need to build our website. Have you ever thought about all the information you need to put together a website? It’s almost mind blowing! So as I am sure you have figured out from my past postings, the first thing I did was research.

I started by looking at lots and lots and lots and lots of website. I didn’t just look at website that had to do with bed and breakfasts, though they were the most that I looked at. I wanted to get a good idea of what I liked and what I thought would work well for us. So I wrote down the web addresses of those that I want Adam to look at and what about them I liked.

Then I had to figure out how someone would navigate our website and what information I want our visitor to see. Talk about endless possibilities! I have seen all kinds of tabs and links in other websites. One thing I don’t want is for it to be too much information. I have seen websites that try to give you too many choices and you end up lost. I don’t want that.

The last thing we talked about is pictures. Adam tells me that it is generally this that holds up a website from being launched. He has suggested that we get someone professional to take them. While I have tons of pictures of the plantation and Mansion, they aren’t what I would want on the website. So now we have to find a professional photographer. Any Suggestions?

One of the things I have been thinking about doing to help me “see” our website is to make a mockup of the website using sheets of paper. This way I can see and adjust that I want. I am a simple person sometimes and need to use simple processes.

Now here is your chance to help us!

Tell me what you like or don’t like about websites for bed and breakfasts.

What do you feel is most important to you when you look at the website?

What could you do without?

Your opinion and advice will help us build an awesome website

that will serve this Historic Plantation for years to come!

Facebook Link

See more pictures of this Historic Plantation

on our Facebook Page!

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 71 Comments »