“The Marvel B. Starkey Room” (great for a family)
Room in Buena Vista, Virginia, United States
- 3 beds
- Shared bathroom
Stay with Marie
- Superhost
- 7 years hosting
Listing highlights
In downtown Buena Vista
Walkable to downtown shops and restaurants, with a park right across the street
Full kitchen open to guests
A shared kitchen with full appliances, so you can cook meals on your own schedule
Marie makes guests feel at home
Guests describe Marie as warm, welcoming, and attentive, with many returning for repeat stays
The White Tree Inn is a lived-in boarding house with two shared bathrooms and multiple private bedrooms. It is a 125 year old house that has its own unique charm. Honestly, if you want a hotel style stay, this is NOT it. But, we enjoy sharing our home with others and try to thoughtfully make your stay as safe, comfortable and restful as possible!
We would also love to share details about Buena Vista, its history, where to eat, what to do, or on the other hand, leave you alone.
The space
My husband and I are restoring our turn of the century (1896) home back into the boarding house it was in the 1920's. We hope to share the history of this home and the industries that built this wonderful blue-collar town in a way that reveals the honor due to the working man.
We have been asked if the house was built as a nunnery because it was immediately in front of the Catholic Church which was located on the next lot on 21st Street but removed to Lexington in 1911.
As I said, in the 1920's-40's the house functioned as a boarding house run by Jenny Brown and her daughters. J.W. Brown, her husband, was a railroad conductor until he lost an arm in a railroad accident. In time, the boarding house became their mainstay with the daughters selling bag lunches at the railroad depot two block away. Significant town figures, like the high school baseball coach Louis V. "Nubby" Schreiner, Doctor Eason, railroad workers, clerks, stenographers, etc. boarded in the abundant bedrooms.
Our hometown historian, Francis Lynn, said that important individuals in town, such as Russel Robey who lived two doors down, "took their meals" at Jenny Brown's boarding house. Lynn knows that Jenny only purchased the finest fresh meats because he delivered them to her back door as a teenage worker at the downtown butcher shop. Lynn, who grew up across the street and a few houses down, also remembers that the residents enjoyed music and visiting in the evening after their dinner meal.
We hope to learn more about this home we love and the people who walked its halls. We also hope that everyone who visits the White Tree Inn leaves inspired to learn more about the everyday historic aspects of their homes, towns and families!
Guest access
Each one of our listings, named for residents that lived in the home, is for a private room in this 7-bedroom house. The rest of the house (the bathrooms, utility room, living room/dining room, kitchen, and front porch) is shared space.
You are welcome to use Jenny’s kitchen. Please, ask us any specific questions you might have.
You are welcome to use the laundry facilities with laundry soap provided, as well.
During your stay
We are in and out of the house regularly. As I said, we love people but can leave you alone if that is what you need.
Other things to note
Our daughter, Johanna, is your hostess.
At various times, we may have long-term boarding house residents, usually Southern Virginia University students.
We would also love to share details about Buena Vista, its history, where to eat, what to do, or on the other hand, leave you alone.
The space
My husband and I are restoring our turn of the century (1896) home back into the boarding house it was in the 1920's. We hope to share the history of this home and the industries that built this wonderful blue-collar town in a way that reveals the honor due to the working man.
We have been asked if the house was built as a nunnery because it was immediately in front of the Catholic Church which was located on the next lot on 21st Street but removed to Lexington in 1911.
As I said, in the 1920's-40's the house functioned as a boarding house run by Jenny Brown and her daughters. J.W. Brown, her husband, was a railroad conductor until he lost an arm in a railroad accident. In time, the boarding house became their mainstay with the daughters selling bag lunches at the railroad depot two block away. Significant town figures, like the high school baseball coach Louis V. "Nubby" Schreiner, Doctor Eason, railroad workers, clerks, stenographers, etc. boarded in the abundant bedrooms.
Our hometown historian, Francis Lynn, said that important individuals in town, such as Russel Robey who lived two doors down, "took their meals" at Jenny Brown's boarding house. Lynn knows that Jenny only purchased the finest fresh meats because he delivered them to her back door as a teenage worker at the downtown butcher shop. Lynn, who grew up across the street and a few houses down, also remembers that the residents enjoyed music and visiting in the evening after their dinner meal.
We hope to learn more about this home we love and the people who walked its halls. We also hope that everyone who visits the White Tree Inn leaves inspired to learn more about the everyday historic aspects of their homes, towns and families!
Guest access
Each one of our listings, named for residents that lived in the home, is for a private room in this 7-bedroom house. The rest of the house (the bathrooms, utility room, living room/dining room, kitchen, and front porch) is shared space.
You are welcome to use Jenny’s kitchen. Please, ask us any specific questions you might have.
You are welcome to use the laundry facilities with laundry soap provided, as well.
During your stay
We are in and out of the house regularly. As I said, we love people but can leave you alone if that is what you need.
Other things to note
Our daughter, Johanna, is your hostess.
At various times, we may have long-term boarding house residents, usually Southern Virginia University students.
Where you'll sleep
What this place offers
Lock on bedroom door
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Free parking on premises
Select check-in date
Add your travel dates for exact pricing
Rated 4.82 out of 5 from 206 reviews.
Guest favourite
This home is a guest favourite based on ratings, reviews and reliability
Overall rating
- 5 stars, 85% of reviews
- 4 stars, 12% of reviews
- 3 stars, 2% of reviews
- 2 stars, 0% of reviews
- 1 stars, 0% of reviews
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars for cleanliness
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for accuracy
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for location
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value
Guest reviews mention
Where you’ll be
Buena Vista, Virginia, United States
Exact location will be provided after booking.
Neighbourhood highlights
Our home is situated across the street from the post office, across the street and one building down from the library, two blocks from the municipal building, around the corner from the best Italian restaurant in the area, and across the street from the downtown park. Perfect, right?
Five blocks away, up "Sem" hill, stands Southern Virginia University, far enough away that we do not live with the students but close enough to hear them singing on quiet Sunday evenings.
Three blocks toward the river is a nice 2+ mile gravel path on the flood wall. If you walk/bike to the end, you might catch a glimpse of the river otters, ... if you are lucky.
Five blocks away, up "Sem" hill, stands Southern Virginia University, far enough away that we do not live with the students but close enough to hear them singing on quiet Sunday evenings.
Three blocks toward the river is a nice 2+ mile gravel path on the flood wall. If you walk/bike to the end, you might catch a glimpse of the river otters, ... if you are lucky.
Meet your host
My work: The White Tree Inn
Speaks English
Lives in Buena Vista, Virginia
My husband and I are restoring our turn of the century (1896) home back into the boarding house it was in the 1920's. We currently house ourselves and our co-host adult daughter, Johanna. Four private bedrooms are reserved for Airbnb guests. The kitchen, dining room, living room, utility room, and both bathrooms are shared space in this boardinghouse/hostel style stay.
In time, we plan to share more history of the house and its people.
Marie is a Superhost
Host details
Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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