Barns have long been icons of the American rural landscape, serving as the backbone of agricultural life
and a symbol of hard work. Today, these structures are taking on new roles, blending past and present in innovative ways across the region.
In Keswick, a once neglected barn has undergone a dramatic revival. Southwest Mountains Vineyards, home to a meticulously restored tasting barn that was once on the verge of collapse, blends history and modernity.
At Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, a newly constructed intake barn will allow the organization to take a major step forward. Designed to rescue and rehabilitate abused equines, this barn provides shelter for horses and donkeys while also improving the working conditions for those who care for them.
Photography by Lincoln Barbour
Cheers to a Barn Revival
Walking into the expansive and beautifully restored tasting barn at Southwest Mountains Vineyards, it’s hard to imagine that the structure was once on the brink of collapse, nearly lost to the ravages of time and neglect. Back in 1894, Murray Boocock purchased a piece of land in Keswick called Castalia and constructed two large barns to support his purebred Hereford cattle breeding program.
Paul and Diane Manning purchased Castalia Farm in 2013 and subsequently hired the firm of Uhler and Company to undertake an extensive restoration of the one remaining barn, built circa 1903.
The decaying barn had been neglected for decades. The dirt floor and “rubble” foundation, common for its era, had caused structural instability. The first step of the restoration involved shoring up the structure and carefully raising it to install a new concrete foundation and pier system. Once the foundation was complete, the old framework was replaced with 10”x10” oak posts and trusses, and a new roof was constructed. Strapping was added to the exterior to straighten the walls and conceal the electrical system without disrupting the interior aesthetics.
Throughout the process, as much of the original material as possible was preserved, with wood from the old animal stalls repurposed for interior doors, bar walls, and bathroom vanities. Stone for the foundation was harvested from old stone piles on the property, and ash trees removed during the renovation were used for the bar top and tables. Diane Manning also collaborated on the design of the iron sconces and chandeliers (and even forged a custom sconce herself).
After initially using the barn for family and private events, the Mannings opened a two-story tasting room in 2023 to showcase wines from their vineyard. “The tasting room and the wines go hand in hand,” says Jodi Mills, the vineyard’s general manager. “The tasting room has a real ‘wow factor’ that complements the quality of our wines made by Boela Gerber, an internationally renowned winemaker who recently moved to Virginia from South Africa.”The “upper” barn at Castalia, built in 1901 on a 160-acre parcel called “Paradise,” was a two-story structure measuring 55 by 115 feet. It had sliding doors, large windows, and three cupolas for ventilation. The ground floor housed animal stalls, while the second story stored hay. The gambrel roof provided extra storage space, and the barn reflected the latest in scientific animal husbandry and the raising of healthy cattle.Walking into the expansive and beautifully restored tasting barn at Southwest Mountains Vineyards, it’s hard to imagine that the structure was once on the brink of collapse, nearly lost to the ravages of time and neglect. Back in 1894, Murray Boocock purchased a piece of land in Keswick called Castalia and constructed two large barns to support his purebred Hereford cattle breeding program.
Paul and Diane Manning purchased Castalia Farm in 2013 and subsequently hired the firm of Uhler and Company to undertake an extensive restoration of the one remaining barn, built circa 1903.
The decaying barn had been neglected for decades. The dirt floor and “rubble” foundation, common for its era, had caused structural instability. The first step of the restoration involved shoring up the structure and carefully raising it to install a new concrete foundation and pier system. Once the foundation was complete, the old framework was replaced with 10”x10” oak posts and trusses, and a new roof was constructed. Strapping was added to the exterior to straighten the walls and conceal the electrical system without disrupting the interior aesthetics.
Throughout the process, as much of the original material as possible was preserved, with wood from the old animal stalls repurposed for interior doors, bar walls, and bathroom vanities. Stone for the foundation was harvested from old stone piles on the property, and ash trees removed during the renovation were used for the bar top and tables. Diane Manning also collaborated on the design of the iron sconces and chandeliers (and even forged a custom sconce herself).
After initially using the barn for family and private events, the Mannings opened a two-story tasting room in 2023 to showcase wines from their vineyard. “The tasting room and the wines go hand in hand,” says Jodi Mills, the vineyard’s general manager. “The tasting room has a real ‘wow factor’ that complements the quality of our wines made by Boela Gerber, an internationally renowned winemaker who recently moved to Virginia from South Africa.”
A New Home for Horses
Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing equines that have been abused, neglected, or surrendered due to owners’ financial or physical hardship. Based at the 172-acre Castle Rock Farm, Hope’s Legacy continues to expand its operations, now housing more than 100 horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. The organization operates on a foster-based model, working to rehabilitate and adopt out equines to new, loving homes. Its services also include educational outreach programs like “Books at the Barn,” which teaches children about equine care, and partnerships with local youth groups such as 4-H and Pony Club.
A newly constructed intake barn ushers in a new era for the animals at Hope’s Legacy and for those who care for them. Ten years in the making, the idea for the barn began with a sketch on a napkin by Maya Proulx, founder and executive director of Hope’s Legacy, and was completed this fall by design/build firm Geobarns.
Previously, veterinarians, volunteers, and farriers worked outdoors, exposed to the elements. Now, a spacious new barn with a central aisle, cross ties, and secure footing provides a safer, more controlled environment for caregiving. It can also accommodate large-scale rescue operations, provide stall rest for injured or malnourished horses, and quarantine animals when necessary to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Additionally, individual stalls help control each horse’s food intake, ensuring proper nutrition and care. With eight stalls, the barn allows Hope’s Legacy to help an additional 18 horses and donkeys each year. The barn’s second floor provides meeting space and living quarters for the farm manager.
“This an investment in creating a permanent resource for equines in Virginia that need rescuing,” says Laura Purvis, director of development at Hope’s Legacy “This property and this mission will outlast all of us who are working here, and this barn will be something that will be used for generations to come.”