Avoca was originally the private residence of Colonel Charles Lynch (1736-1796). He established his home here in 1755 as part of a land grant from King George II to his father, in 1740, and called it Green Level. Colonel Charles Lynch was a planter and distinguished himself as a lawmaker and a soldier during the turbulent times of the Revolutionary era. The property was passed down through the Lynch family and upon the death of Charles Henry Lynch (1800-1875), the property went to his niece, Mary Anna Dearing Fauntleroy. Her grandson, Dr. Lindley Murray Winston, deeded the property to the Town of Altavista in 1981 as a memorial to his family. At that time the property consisted of the main house, brick kitchen, smokehouse, milk house, farm office, and approximately ten acres.
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Avoca is
a country Victorian house constructed in 1901, after the original
and second dwellings were destroyed by fire in 1879 and 1900. The house is a commissioned work of the
Lynchburg Architect, John Minor Botts Lewis in the Queen Anne style. It is a Virginia landmark and listed in
the National Register of Historic Places and is maintained as a historical
museum. The collection, displays, programs and interpretations are planned to
take account of the cultural and natural history of the region. The property is
used for education and recreational purposes and serves the people of the
greater Altavista area.
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Because the house was unoccupied since the mid-1970's,
there was need for interior repair before it could be opened to the public. In
the meantime, the small Staunton River Valley Museum was opened weekends in the
brick kitchen. Prior to its opening, the kitchen, exterior painting of the main
house, and seed money were provided by $15,000 grants from E. R. English and
Abbot Laboratories.
Gradually ,
through the generosity and hard work of benefactors and volunteers, one room at
a time in the main house was stabilized. Gifts of furniture enhanced the
revitalization efforts and in 1986 Avoca opened for tours. Due to the growth of
the museum, a need for increased fund-raising, and more volunteer involvement, a
historical society was founded in 1987. At this time the Staunton River
Valley Museum became Avoca Museum and Historical Society and Rusty
Hicks served as its first president.
In
1991 an administrator was hired to oversee issues dealing with current policies,
operations, facilities and programs, member recruitment, hiring a director to
manage day-to-day operations (hired in 1995), and the feasibility of acquiring
or constructing storage, exhibition, and administrating offices. 1991 and 1992
were a watershed for Avoca. The Lane Company, in collaboration with
Country Living Magazine, refurbished the main house. Donations of furniture by
the Lane Company, fabrics, window treatments, and accessories transformed the
house. National and local media coverage expanded visitation and Avoca enjoyed a
successful year.
A five-year campaign was launched in 1995 to restore
the exterior of the house, rehabilitate the farm office, and expand the school
and community outreach programs. Grants were awarded to Avoca by the State of
Virginia and the Town of Altavista for $30,000 each. The Timken Foundation of
Canton provided $85,000 toward the restoration.
For a
quick look through the history of Avoca, visit the Avoca
Timeline.
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