The President's Cottage Museum and Alabama Row at the Greenbrier
I have been living in Lewisburg, WV, for five years and I finally visited the museum at The Greenbrier. The following is some history and photos of the museum called the President's Cottage.
This cottage was built in 1835 as the private summer residence of Mr. Stephen Henderson, a wealthy Louisiana merchant. After his death this remained the finest cottage on the resort property. Five U.S. presidents stayed there between 1838 and 1860: Martin VanBuren, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. During those years, White Sulphur Springs was the premier summer gathering place for influential members of southern society. The cottage was restored and opened as a museum in 1932.
The Alabama Row cottages were guest accommodations for 30 years before the Civil War. In the 1930's, Cleveland artists, William and Natalie Grauer, created an "Art Colony" by converting the units into instructional studios. Used as housing for nurses during WWII when the Greenbrier was an Army hospital, it reopened as studios and shops in 1956.
The murals (below) at the President's Cottage were created by William Grauer. For many years it was thought that his oil-on-canvas murals from the Lee Room had been lost during WWII. But during an extension of the Engineering building in 1992, the murals were discovered when a wall was removed and not only had the murals survived but they were in excellent condition. Exactly 50 years after they were removed from the walls, the murals were reinstalled. In November 1992, artists Robert and June Anderson restored, cleaned and varnished the paintings.
When visiting The Greenbrier, visit the President's Cottage Museum and the Art Colony on Alabama Row for some history and shopping.
Posts on the Art Colony retail shops at the Greenbrier:
Joseph Mendel, Furniture Maker
Fine Jewelry Studio at Gibson's Gallery
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If I can assist you in any way with your real estate needs in Lewisburg, WV Greenbrier County or the surrounding areas, please feel free to contact me by phone at (304) 520-2133, email or visit my website at www.lewisburgwvrealestate4you.com
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12 comments • Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor WV Real Estate in Greenbrier County • November 01 2010 05:47PM