Schuyler, Virginia: The tiny town that inspired The Waltons
Discover Schuyler, Virginia, a small mountain town with a strong soapstone legacy that inspired the iconic television series “The Waltons.”
Although small, Schuyler, Virginia, a town situated along the Rockfish and James rivers and hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains, holds an outsized role in American culture, given that it served as the real-life inspiration for the iconic television series “The Waltons.” Inspiration for the series came in the form of a native son of Virginia who drew upon his childhood experiences in the town to accurately capture what mountain life was like in the early 20th century.
Today, visitors can experience life the way the Walton family did by visiting Schuyler. Here are some of the top ways to learn about the town’s legacy and how it inspired the series.
Connection to The Waltons
Schuyler’s connection to the iconic television series stems from Earl Hamner, Jr., the show’s creator, who based it on his experiences growing up in the town. The show tells the story of a family living in the mountains of Virginia during the 1930s and 1940s in the face of the Great Depression and World War II. The show ran for an impressive nine seasons from 1972 to 1981 on CBS.
The show was inspired by the 1963 film “Spencer’s Mountain,” which was based on a 1961 novel penned by Hamner. Although it’s set in Wyoming, the novel is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
History
Schuyler traces its roots back to the 1840s when it was settled as a small sawmilling community. The rural village, which is located on the border of Albemarle and Nelson counties, started growing in the 1890s because of the prominence of the quarrying and milling of soapstone in Nelson County. Surprisingly, Schuyler is situated on one of the world’s largest soapstone veins. The soapstone was used for such things as laboratory countertops, fireplaces, sinks, and fountains. Aiding in the town’s development were the Rockfish and James rivers, along with the Kanawha Canal.
The town developed the way many 20th-century company towns did, with a central mill complex, quarries, and neighborhoods that were built and owned by the quarry company. At one point, it had as many as 7,000 residents, with 1,300 of them working in the soapstone plant.
Branching out from the plant was a thriving commercial district with a hospital, two hotels, three movie theaters, nine general stores, a bank, a jewelry store, and even an electric trolley used to transport students to and from school.
Things to do
Walton’s Mountain Museum
Location: 6484 Rockfish River Rd., Schuyler, VA 22969
Walton’s Mountain Museum is a treasure trove of The Waltons memorabilia, including replicas of John-Boy’s bedroom, Ike Godsey’s Store, the Waltons’ kitchen, and the Waltons’ living room. Additional items include hundreds of photos and memorabilia pieces that are housed in the Recipe Machine and Scripts rooms. A 30-minute video featuring Hamner and various actors helps tell the story of the show.
The replica of the Schuyler Baptist Church that Hamner attended is one of the newer exhibit additions.
Admission is $12, with children 12 and under admitted for free. It’s open from 10 am to 3:30 pm. Be sure to stop by the souvenir shop to commemorate your trip to Schuyler.
The Quarry Gardens at Schuyler
Location: 1643 Salem Rd., Schuyler, VA 22969
Make sure you visit The Quarry Gardens at Schuyler to learn more about the town’s soapstone heritage. The destination bills itself as a “landscape carved by industry and renewed by nature.” Visitors can walk along trails and bridges that connect to two abandoned soapstone quarries, which were active during the 1950s and 1970s, that are now filled with water.
Formal efforts to create a public garden at the site launched in 2014 after a little more than two decades of casual efforts to clean up the site. The efforts were given a boost in 2016 when then-Governor Terry McAuliffe designated the site as a Virginia Treasure.
The site now has 2 miles of trails, over 40 galleries where native plant communities thrive, and a visitor center with exhibits on native plants and the Schuyler soapstone industry.
When visiting, know that self-guided visits are allowed on Fridays and Sundays for a nominal fee. Make sure you schedule a visit as the site isn’t always open. Guided tours are offered on select dates, so it’s a good idea to consult the events calendar.
Schuyler Historic District
The Schuyler Historic District features a variety of noteworthy buildings, including 19th-century houses that were built prior to the soapstone quarry boom, as well as buildings related to industry activity.
At the top of the list is the Hamner House, the childhood home of Earl Hamner, Jr. The house was constructed as a working-class dwelling after 1915 by the supervisor of the soapstone quarry, M. J. Copps, for whom Hamner’s father worked. During your visit, be sure to look for the stacked soapstone foundation.
Where to stay
The White Pig Bed & Breakfast
Location: 5120 Irish Rd., Schuyler, VA 22969
The White Pig Bed & Breakfast holds the unique distinction of being the oldest vegan bed and breakfast in the U.S. Offering a variety of lodging options, including a mid-19th-century farmhouse, turn-of-the-century Victorian house, and private cottage, The White Pig is decorated with antique furnishings that will remind you of the sets from The Waltons. Overlooking meadows, mature forest, and views of Appleberry Mountain, sitting on the front porch will also evoke memories of the show.
Breakfast is always vegan with offerings including organic Belgian waffles with strawberries, blueberry pancakes with soy “bacon,” and soy-based vegetable frittatas with a whole wheat bagel and fresh fruit.
While there, be sure to take a stroll through the 172-acre Briar Creek Farm, an animal sanctuary that looks roughly the same as it did a century ago. The land is part of the Albemarle County Conservation Easement program, which means further building on the land is not permitted.
The Orchard House Bed & Breakfast
Location: 9749 Thomas Nelson Hwy., Lovingston, VA 22949
Although it is not located in Schuyler, The Orchard House Bed & Breakfast is a good lodging option for those visiting the town, given that it’s only about a 20-minute drive out. Full of historic charm, it is a country retreat with plenty of views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Those interested in the history of Schuyler may find the inn to be of interest as well, given that its origins go back to 1874, when it was a working farm.
The main house offers six guest rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The multi-course breakfast includes eggs, toast, French toast, fruit, and plenty of coffee.
Where to eat and drink
Ike’s Market & Deli
Location: 6597 Rockfish River Rd., Schuyler, VA 22969
Ike’s Market & Deli is the place to go in Schuyler for country cooking. It serves breakfast, soups, sandwiches, chili, and deli items. Check the menu for dinner specials. And before or after dinner, do a little shopping at the market.
Chicken Coop
Location: 40 Front St., Lovingston, VA 22949
Chicken Coop, located in nearby Lovingston, is a restaurant that visitors to Schuyler can easily drive to for chicken, barbecue, macaroni and cheese, and sandwiches. Look for it in the Nelson Food Mart.
Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery
Location: 500 Delfosse Winery Ln., Faber, VA 22939
About 10 minutes from Schuyler, Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery is a great place to go for a relaxing glass of wine after a day spent exploring the town and its connection to the show. Located on 17 acres, Mountain & Vine produces 100 percent estate-grown wine by using old-world winemaking techniques.
Wine and charcuterie are served in the tasting room. Try the 2023 Petit Verdot Reserve. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.
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