Lynn Coffey, the source of recorded history and culture of 20th century Nelson & Augusta

For 25 years, from 1981 through 2006, years Lynn Coffey published the monthly newspaper of the same title from her home at Love Gap, Virginia on the Blue Ridge Parkway. During this time she personally interviewed each of the people featured in the stories. During its publication there were 300 issues of BACKROADS. When she … Read more

Churches on Loop

Elk Hill Baptist Church Bethlehem Church Mount Pleasant Church Zion Hill Church Address: 116 Zion Hill Road, Roseland, VA 22967 Phone: 434-277-9418 Massies Mill Presbyterian Church Address: 2178 Crabtree Falls Highway Massies Mill, Va 22954 Phone: 434-277-5161 Haines Chapel Mountain Top Church Oak Hill Baptist Church Address: 382 Level Green Road Massies Milll, VA 22954 … Read more

Pharsalia

If you’re looking for fresh local flowers, heirloom vegetables, or a venue for your special event that is equally special, this is the place. Pharsalia is a working antebellum plantation with a picturesque setting among the orchards and fields of Nelson County. In the spirit of hospitality that has been a hallmark for nearly two … Read more

Vernacular Architecture

The majority of early Nelson buildings were small one-room structures; memoirs and documents from this area substantiate this theory. The Shenandoah Valley provided different influences. Trading ties with areas west of the Blue Ridge brought Nelson County residents in contact with the Scotch-Irish and German artisans who demonstrated a willingness to experiment with form and … Read more

Pharsalia

Pharsalia is a complex of antebellum plantation buildings located near the village of Massie’s Mill in Nelson County, Virginia. The complex is at the base of Priest Mountain on a knoll overlooking the Tye River Valley and was part of the plantation established by William Massie in 1814. The Federal style, frame manor house was … Read more