I’m not referring to the house number. Or, when Frank Lloyd Wright designed it. I’m referring to the fact that the Pope-Leighey house in Alexandria, Virginia, was the 17th Frank Lloyd Wright property we’ve visited since we started this FLW adventure quite a few years ago.
We arrived early enough to visit the neighboring Woodlawn House first and read up a bit about how instrumental Marjorie Leighey was in saving this house from being demolished. Back in the early 1960’s, Robert and Marjorie Leighey learned that their Frank Lloyd Wright home was to be seized through eminent domain since the state of Virginia wanted to build an Interstate right through their property. Kind of inconvenient don’t you think? Luckily, Marjorie Leighey didn’t think that should happen, not so much because she lived there (and obviously would have to move), but because they weren’t just talking about any old ranch house that could simply be torn down or moved. They were talking about a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house! Miss Marjorie decided to meet with preservationists and reporters and wage an all-out letter writing campaign to bring awareness to this dire situtation. Because of this tenacity, her actions inspired the Historic Preservation Act of 1966. While the house was eventually moved, this very important piece of legislature created the National Register of Historic Places, a list of National Historic Landmarks, as well as State Historic Preservation Offices. It would also be the catalyst that would save other historic buildings around the country. Good job Marjorie!
A Small House
This house was by far the smallest FLW structure we’ve ever seen. It had some of the built-in furniture we were used to, but the house seemed more museum-like than others. Here are a few photographs of the living room and a very small bedroom that two of the Leighey boys shared at the time.
Like other Frank Lloyd Wright structures, there were a lot of cut outs that he used to bring in natural light to the space. Perhaps because there wasn’t a lot of money spent by the first family (the Pope’s who built the house; the Leighey’s were the second owners), it seemed less embellished than other FLW properties we’ve seen. Still, the house is functional except for the kitchen.
I mean, really Frank.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
After seeing #17, we drove to Harpers Ferry. I had missed the part about it being a recreated, touristy town with a bunch of old buildings and John Brown’s Fort. For some reason, I thought it would be more like Gettysburg, with a big national park you can walk around in or even drive through. It was a Sunday and very warm so there were lots of people walking through the town. There was also NO PARKING, so we drove out of what Lynn called “Colonial Williamsburg 2.0” and went in search of lunch. Luckily, I had researched other places to eat away from the madness in town, which is how we ended up at Snallygasters Cafe & Wine Bar. Luckily, it was in a residential neighborhood with lots of parking right out front, and not only a lovely cafe menu, but a fun wine list and even a small wine store in the back.
Our server, a Columbia grad who volunteered that she had lived in Harlem for many years, told us how she loved living in Harpers Ferry. The reason she volunteered this response was I had asked her a simple question – “What’s it like living here?” Apparently, she was happy to be back home after growing up here.
Lynn and I shared a cheese plate, then we dug into some really good lamb meatballs with a salad. We had some wine and contemplated dessert but decided to just keep moving. We still had some driving to do with a stop to see an architect-designed museum before we checked into our hotel.
The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
Truthfully, the only reason we stopped was to see the building. Designed by Michael Graves in 2005, it focused on the history of the Shenandoah Valley. The building itself I thought was less inspiring (it looked like a chain hotel). But the museum was having a Frida Kahlo exhibition, so it wasn’t a total waste of time.
I mean, doesn’t this look like a hotel/resort you might have stayed in? Somewhere? Off of an Interstate? I thought so.
Our day of sightseeing was finished, and we were on our way to an Inn. A really, really fancy Inn.
Until our next “Let’s Go” Adventure.