MEET THE INNKEEPERS

Bernie didn’t have the same stars in his eyes as did Patti since the home had fallen into disrepair and would require a gigantic rehabilitation effort. The realtor even tried to talk them out of looking at the home since he felt it was beyond saving. But Patti asked to see it anyway. Once in the foyer, she took one look at the Romeo Balcony that overlooks the foyer and declared, “It’s perfect. I love it!” In Bernie’s words, “Patti saw the balcony – I saw the work and the dollar signs.” One month later, they owned the home!

Patti moved to Wytheville in February 2006 and commenced the monumental task of restoration. She worked alongside two carpenters every day for a full year. The carpenters quit work each day at 4:30 p.m., but Patti worked until it was too dark to see. (There was electricity, but no lights.) The home was gutted and taken down to the studs. Now the home has insulation for the first time, all new wiring, plumbing, drywall, and light fixtures. Thirty-five new windows were built, and six new bathrooms were added to provide private bathrooms for all guest rooms. The columns, hardwood floors, wainscoting, balconies and that beautiful staircase with the Romeo balcony were all saved. While the interior of the home is virtually new, the overall ambience of this 110-year old home remains intact. They welcomed their first official guests in February 2007.

Patti grew up cooking at her mom’s elbow, and she loves spending time in the kitchen. She prepares all the food. Bernie’s duties include server, gardener, shopper, and generally does whatever it takes to get the workload accomplished. Both feel truly blessed to be able to live their dream – and what a great life it is!

The history of our Virginia bed and breakfast inn begins with William Trinkle (1871-1923), the second of three sons born to the prominent Trinkle family of Wytheville, Virginia. William was a gentleman farmer with 20,000 acres under his supervision in Wythe, Bland, and Grayson counties. His brother Clarence was a local banker, and his youngest brother Lee served as Governor of Virginia from 1922-1926. All three brothers had large, stately homes in Wytheville. The homes of Clarence and William still stand; unfortunately, the Governor’s home was razed in 1959 to build a gas station.

Eight years after his marriage to wife Ethel, William Trinkle built a stylish new home in the Blue Ridge Mountains for his young family, which now included a six-year old son and five-year old daughter. Construction of this lovely, Classical Revival home commenced in 1910, was completed in 1912, and served as a testimonial to the status William had achieved. The home had an impressive seven fireplaces, two large bathrooms on the second floor, which was uncharacteristic for that time period, as well as state of the art technology for 1912 including steam heat and a built-in central vacuum system. A porte cochere on the east side of the house served as the favored entrance for family and close friends, while the west side of the home boasted a one-story conservatory where the Trinkles overwintered plants from their yard as well as those brought to them by neighbors for safekeeping through the frigid winter months.

William Trinkle House 1914

The Trinkles christened their new home “Elknirt,” which is Trinkle spelled backwards. Upon moving into their new home, Mrs. Trinkle hosted a lavish housewarming party that lasted seven days. Sadly, William lived in the home for just over ten years before his untimely death at age 51.

Tour the home as it stands today. Although the atmosphere is one of mannered Southern charm, the daily routine is low-key and emulates the beauty and romance of the Old South.