Historic Woodlawn Plantation in Clover, Virginia: An Afternoon of Friends, Mint Tea, and Southern Hospitality
Woodlawn Plantation
"On a high hill near Staunton River several miles east of Clover, Woodlawn stands silently, a dominant landmark for more than 200 years." These descriptive words introduce readers to Woodlawn Plantation in Kenneth Cook's article in the News and Record on September 17, 1976. Read more of Kenneth Cook's article and learn about the incredible history of this old plantation home in Halifax County, Virginia here.
When Mark and Jeanene Krogh purchased Woodlawn Plantation in Clover, Virginia, twelve years ago, the home was in complete disrepair. They spent ten years commuting back and forth from their home on Virginia's Eastern Shore to Halifax County to work on renovating the house, before moving to Woodlawn Plantation full time just two years ago. The Kroghs have been thorough and extremely patient in their renovation efforts. I spent the day visiting with the Kroghs at Woodlawn last Friday. I was shown true Southern hospitality as refreshing mint tea and warm apple pie were served. Mark Krogh was kind enough to give me a guided tour of Woodlawn, going into detail about the plantation home's history, the condition of the plantation when they first purchased it, and details about the exhaustive restoration efforts.
I was greeted at Woodlawn by Jeanene Krogh's lovely pink peonies, a welcoming sight on the front lawn. The Kroghs brought the decorative vane with them when they moved to Woodlawn Plantation from Virginia's Eastern Shore.
To say that Mark Krogh builds things is an understatement. He does build quality structures and pieces, but he is a quality craftsman who builds and creates with appreciation of historic accuracy and detailing which shows in his work. When the Kroghs purchased Woodlawn, the porch literally fell off the side of the house and could not be repaired. Mark built this west portico in its place, which serves as a side entrance and porch. He had the detailed brick work placed by a Halifax County brick mason. Mint, lemon mint, and rosemary grow alongside this portico. An antique church bench passed down from Colonial Williamsburg was a gift to the Krouhs by the owners of The Seasons of Williamsburg. The brickwork pictured below is original to the home, but the grate is one of two handcrafted replicas of the existing grates around the home.
The soffits, dentil work, shutters, and gorgeous molding are all original to the home.
The porch is a creation of Thomas Day, an educated son of a freedman and highly skilled and sought after craftsman in Virginia and North Carolina in the early 19th century. His skilled craftsmanship can still be admired throughout Halifax County.
The North Portico, seen here, was built by Mark Krogh. This portico faces the Staunton River, and the Krogh's vision of the future of the property includes extending a walkway from this area to the river.
Woodlawn Plantation's North Portico
Jeanene has taken numerous classes over the years, such as a hearth cooking class, a windsor chair making class (she has made 8 of her 21 windsor chairs herself), and a floor cloth making class, among others. Floor cloths would have been used in homes such as this one during the eighteenth century and beyond. While Jeanene learned how to make her own, and has made some smaller floor cloths, she had a professional floor cloth artist, Miriam Riggs, construct and hand paint this floor cloth in 2006 to fit the hallway floor. 
Mark and Jeanene had the mantle pictured above crafted and installed before discovering in the attic a part of the chair rail originally in this room. The mantle would have matched the chair rail, so a replica of what the original mantle would have looked like was commissioned, and a local woodcrafter has created the mantlepiece pictured above. The mantle currently used will eventually be taken off, and the replica of the original will be installed. The attention to detail in restoring this home is impressive. The Kroghs have had paint analysis completed for the home and have repainted using paint colors that would have been original to the home, as well as calcimine paint which was used in the 18th century. The paint in this picture appears to be much brighter than it is. It is in reality a much softer shade.
Jeanene has had a lifelong love of early American history, and knew as a little girl that she wanted to eventually restore old homes. Her love directed her to her working as a docent in a historic home on the Eastern Shore, eventually earning a position as the museum director. At age 18, she also began collecting and now has an impressive collection of 18th century Chinese import Rose Medallion china to show for it, along with many other beautiful collections of china, dinnerware, pottery, pewter, and 18th century furnishings.
This china set arrive in the United States with Mark Krogh's family in the eighteenth century, was inherited by Mark and Jeanene, and now graces Woodlawn's sitting room just above Jeanene's Rose Medallion collection. 
More eighteenth century collections are displayed throughout the home. These pieces can be found in the dining room, along with an antique checkers table and more windsor chairs, including the high back chairs which the Kroghs' sons have named the King and Queen's chairs. 
These are two of the seven eighteenth century spinning wheels that would have been used in the home during its early years. The Kroghs have these two spinning wheels upstairs, but hope to eventually have these two and others back downstairs where they originally would have been used.
The Kroghs have gone to great effort to repair walls and ceilings, and have painted in original paint using paint analysis and original paint techniques. Why, then, do you think they left this windowsill in the second floor hallway undone? Look closely to see the signature which reads, "M. C. Harrison July 29, 1889." I love that they left this as is.
After touring most of the home, we settled in the kitchen with our mint tea. Jeanene served the best homemade apple pie, warm from the oven. I truly felt like I had stepped back in time, eating apple pie, looking out the kitchen window onto the expansive green lawn. To my back was this original fireplace and hearth displaying Jeanene's collection of hearth cooking tools. In addition to floor cloth making, windsor chair making classes, she has also taken a hearth cooking class, and promises that it is just as easy as cooking in an electric oven, you just need to have the right tools. The mantle serves as a display shelf for Jeanene's collection of irons. Carter's Grove Plantation in Williamsburg, Virginia, which has recently been in the news for being sold at auction back to Colonial Willimasburg, was home to this collection prior to Jeanene purchasing them at auction years ago, as they belonged to Mrs. Molly McRae who lived at Carter's Grove in the last century.
When the Kroghs purchased Woodlawn Plantation in Clover, Virginia, near the Staunton River Battlefield State Park, they knew they had a great deal of research and intense labor ahead of them in restoring this old home to its original state and splendor. It is not often that one finds an old plantation home that has not been refurbished, remodeled, or otherwise modernized, and that's one of the reasons that Jeanene was initially drawn to this property.
When the Kroghs first began to renovate the home, there was virtually no modernization at all. There was no plumbing, no electricity, no bathroom, no locks on doors, and no steps to even get into the house. They camped outside in tents, used a portable bathroom, and showered in camping showers. Woodlawn Plantation's previous owners most likely believed that the house was uninhabitable and would be torn down when sold. The doorknobs, locks, and hardware had been sold. Securing the foundation of the home was the first order of business the Kroghs attended to, but following that was clearing out the bees, snakes, rodents, and other pests. Generations of bees and pests had made this vacant structure their home, and ridding them from the home was no easy task, especially considering the state the home was in. After securing the foundation, they had to install door knobs and locks and 80 window panes.
Jeanene's sweet iced tea, which she makes using fresh Woodlawn Plantation mint, makes for a refreshing treat. Jeanene makes this tea regularly for guests, who often request it when visiting.
Jeanene's delicious warm apple pie served on beautiful blue and white plate from her extensive antique china collection.
When the Kroghs purchased Woodlawn Plantation in Clover, Virginia, near the Staunton River Battlefield State Park, they knew they had a great deal of research and intense labor ahead of them in restoring this old home to its original state and splendor. It is not often that one finds an old plantation home that has not been refurbished, remodeled, or otherwise modernized, and that's one of the reasons that Jeanene was initially drawn to this property.
When the Kroghs first began to renovate the home, there was virtually no modernization at all. There was no plumbing, no electricity, no bathroom, no locks on doors, and no steps to even get into the house. They camped outside in tents, used a portable bathroom, and showered in camping showers. Woodlawn Plantation's previous owners most likely believed that the house was uninhabitable and would be torn down when sold. The doorknobs, locks, and hardware had been sold. Securing the foundation of the home was the first order of business the Kroghs attended to, but following that was clearing out the bees, snakes, rodents, and other pests. Generations of bees and pests had made this vacant structure their home, and ridding them from the home was no easy task, especially considering the state the home was in. After securing the foundation, they had to install door knobs and locks and 80 window panes.
There is still much work ahead of the Kroghs in renovating this old home. This is a picture of the kitchen ceiling. The ceilings in both the kitchen and dining room have been removed and will be reinstalled once repaired. This picture serves as a reminder of not only how hard and in what detail they have worked, but also in how much is yet to come. This home is the third historic property they have renovated, but it has been the most monumental and the biggest labor of love yet.
The Kroghs have planned to open their home to the public on Saturday, June 21, 2014 for lunch and a tour of the home and property. Jeanene plans to prepare a plantation luncheon of pulled pork or chicken salad, deviled eggs, coleslaw, baked beans, rolls, Virginia Walnut Cake, and a glass of wine, mint tea, or water. Pre-registration and payment of $25 per person is required, which includes the tour and buffet-style luncheon. To pre-register for the tour and luncheon, please call Jeanene Krogh at 434-454-6907 or email her at woodlawn1779@gmail.com. Checks may be mailed to Jeanene Krogh, Woodlawn, 6011 Clover Road, Randolph, VA 23962. Proceeds from the luncheon and tour will go toward continued renovation efforts at Woodlawn Plantation.
To drive to Woodlawn Plantation from South Boston, Virginia, take 360 east. Exit onto the second Clover exit, or Mosely Ferry Road. Turn right at the first intersection onto Main Street, which becomes Clover Road. Continue on, passing by the power plant. Woodlawn is one mile past the power plant on the left.
As I was leaving Woodlawn last Friday after my visit, Mark had potted some Woodlawn mint and lemon mint for me. I took both herbs home and planted them at my own house, and am now the proud owner of two mint plants in my own yard. I can not wait to make my own mint tea, though I doubt it will be a good as Jeanene's! There's something about sipping mint tea at the charming Woodlawn that can't be exactly replicated, but who says I can't try?
Indian Grindstone on the Woodlawn Property
Update: Our family attended the Guided Tour and Luncheon yesterday, June 21, 2014. We had a lovely day, which you can read all about here in this article.
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