To begin, Tom had their tomato and smoked gouda soup while I selected the spinach salad with dried cherries, spiced walnuts and green apples tossed with a maple dressing. Both were outstanding. Our entries included (1) grilled marinated flank steak with garlic mashed potatoes, rosemary scented broccoli, and roasted mushrooms and (2) hickory grilled burger with Vermont cheddar on a soft roll with lettuce, tomatoes and dijonnaise (plus some of the finest French Fries I have ever had). These were wonderful. The portions were moderate (much to our delight), the presentations were artful, and the tastes uniquely satisfying.
We concluded with dessert - usually we shouldn't, but we nearly always do. We were certainly glad we did on this day. The cheesecake and the apple crisp were just great. We also learned that "flatbreads" are pizzas - I guess we should be embarrassed that we didn't know that, but we're not!!! Our waiter, Oscar U, was just super - attentive, polite, friendly, and efficient. I'm not sure we could have asked for more.
There was even a notable eating there at the same time. John F. Leyman, a "9/11 Commission Report" member, arrived at the same time we did and was emotionally thanked for his contribution to his country by another diner in line in front of us. I wanted to do the same, but decided not to do so, not wanting to disturb Mr. Leyman's meal. Our Rating (Five Chefs is Highest) |
|  Inside View
Magnolias at the Mill
(Photo by Ron Patterson) |
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There is one merchant we always visit while in Purcellville. That is "Samuel S. Case Cabinetmakers." This company hand builds reproductions of 18th century Virginia antiques. The Case family has been in this area for 7 generations, dating to the 18th century.
 Our New Chair
(Click on Photo For More Images) |
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Their showroom is located on Main Street (Route 7), just up the block from the Train Station, in downtown Purcellville.
According to the company, "We build the furniture at a bench, one piece at a time using proven old time construction methods."
We have admired their products for years and on this trip, we succumbed to a "Clark County Continuous Arm Desk Chair." It took 4 months for our chair to be constructed and we didn't mind one little bit. The chair is terrific - comfortable and a perfect asset to our home which is filled with antiques. The workshop is in an old apple packing plant in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We picked up our chair at the workshop and found the staff friendly, helpful and professional. The folks who work at the showroom could teach a course in customer relations. We had stopped in several hours earlier and then went to have lunch. When we returned, we were greeted with a great smile and: "Oh yes, you were in here earlier today." That felt good.
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As mentioned above, our main reason for visiting Purcellville was their house tour, sponsored by the Purcellville Preservation Association. The PPA is very active in preservation activities.
Most notably, they acquired and restored the Purcellville Train Station (circa 1904). This project was begun in 1991 and completed in 2002. On Tour day, the Station was filled with model electric trains, enthusiastically operated by a model train club. The trains were great - quite a bit larger than the Lionel I owned as a kid. |  Train Station at Purcellville
(Photo by Ron Patterson) |
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We are dedicated "house/garden tour" enthusiasts, spending many days, especially in the Spring, visiting historic homes (and some not so historic) in Virginia, the District, and Maryland.
 The Kiosk Across from the Train Station
NOTE: Parking is Plentiful
AND the Train Station has Public Rest Rooms
(Photo by Ron Patterson) |
| The pre-Tour publicity about the Purcelliville Tour sounded interesting and proved to be just that. Included were 5 houses, four of which were Victorian and one of Greek Revival architecture. Each house was distinct in design and most certainly unique in decorative style. We found wonderous collections of all sorts, period furniture, "works in progress," informed and friendly volunteer docents, and were introduced to most of the owners. |
One of the most encouraging aspects of the Tour was the fact that two of the homes were being restored by young couples. Historic Preservation in America seems to be increasingly pushed aside by uncontrolled development, and it often appears that our generation (i.e., age 55 and over) may be the only ones supporting our architectural heritage. Seeing these two young couples grapling with efforts to restore wonderful old homes was comforting to say the least.
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"A Garden Party" The Purcellville Preservation Association, together with homeowner and PPA member Don Kraper, held an old-fashioned "Garden Party" on Sunday, September 18, 2005. This event was in celebration of the restoration in progress of c. 1830 "Locust Grove House."
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