Another reason to love Lynchburg - Point of Honor

Sunday afternoon we went with our friends Joe and Abigail to visit Point of Honor, a wonderful historic Lynchburg home that was built in 1818. This home is now owned by the Lynchburg Museum Society and they have restored it to its 1818 decor. They host an open house around Christmastime each year. When Abigail told us that she and Joe were going to the open house, we jumped at the chance to enjoy an outing with our friends and to see Point of Honor at Christmastime.

Joe & Abigail on the Point of Honor porch

Although we have been to the beautiful home before, this was the first time that we got to see the inside of the house. The tour guides were filled with interesting anecdotes and historical facts. They had a dinner table spread with food made from circa 1818 recipes—of the types of food that those living in the early nineteenth century would have offered during their "12th Night" Christmas parties.

In one of the parlor rooms, three musicians sang Christmas carols and played a variety of period instruments, including hammered dulcimer, recorders (normal, alto, and tenor), wooden flutes, modern flutes, guitars, and harps. They were quite good and extended delightful hospitality to those of us who were visiting. They even changed their planned repertoire when I asked if I could hear the tenor recorder.

The harpist plays in the carriage house

In the carriage house, they offered homemade cookies, hot chocolate, and hot spiced cider—all made from early 19th century recipes and all delicious. A harpist played classical music in the corner of the room for those who were warming up with the hot drinks. And a few heartier souls gathered outside around the firepit that was burning for those who were willing to brave the rare below freezing temperatures. Well, rare for Central Virginia, that is. But it made it seem a bit more like Christmas—especially because some of Saturday's snow remained on the ground.

David enjoyed the outdoor kitchen where they had an interesting display of some of the foods that would have been cooked in the kitchen. David asked the tour guide if he could volunteer to eat the food they had cooked since the open house was almost over and there wouldn't be any more people coming through. They told him that health code forbids offering food to the visitors but that those who work for the Museum Society sometimes eat the foods that they cook after the events are over. So now David wants to get a job with the Lynchburg Museum Society. It's always interesting to find out what interests people in the jobs they have. Apparently, the benefit that speaks the most to David is the food that his employer has to offer—and all the much better if he can help cook it over an open hearth.

We have noticed that Lynchburg is proud of its heritage and is committed to maintaining her historical sites and traditions. They do a great job of educating the people who live here (or those who visit). We have attended many of the events the city hosts to help remember its historical heritage. They're a lot of fun and the more we learn of Lynchburg the more grateful we are to God that he saw fit to move us here.