Inn History

The history of the Frederick House goes back to the earliest days of Staunton's rich history. From the earliest settler, John Lewis in 1732, Staunton proved to be a desirable area for settlers to build their homes. In 1786, as the young town was growing, Staunton annexed the land that the Frederick House occupies as a part of the Beverly Addition to the city. 

Sometime between the Beverly Addition of 1786 and 1817, Mr. E. Stribling purchases the property that includes today's Young, Womack, and Bower Houses. The first building to be built was the Young House on the corner of New & Frederick Streets. While the research is not completely clear, we do know that a house occupied this corner portion of the property as early as 1809. It is expected that the original house still stands although there have been many modifications over the years. The Young Family occupied the building from 1816 until 1863. 

In 1874, the Harman Family, divided the lot into three parcels. Mr. R. M. Ayres purchased the middle parcel. While an exact date has not yet been established, we know that the residence known as the Womack House appeared on city maps as early as 1877. The Womack Family purchased the property in 1922 and made numerous improvements before selling in 1982.

The third parcel of land was sold to Mr. B. T. Bagley in 1874. Bagley a contractor by trade builds the Bower House in 1875. The Bower Family occupied the lot from 1896 until 1983.

In 1983, Joe & Evy Harman, descendents of the Harman Family that split the property into three lots, begin buying back the property to create the Frederick House. During their twenty years of ownership, Joe & Evy Harman expanded the Frederick House to include two additional residences. The Patrick House and the Cochran House.

The Cochran Family who owned the building until 1929 built the Cochran House prior to 1870. The home first appears on city maps in 1870. The Patrick House began appearing on city maps in 1899 and just as with the Cochran House a firm construction date for the original building has not yet been established. The well-known firm of T. J. Collins and Son's were the architects of today's building, greatly enhancing the original structure. The Patrick Family owned the property from the late 1800's until 1929. Mary Baldwin College owned both buildings from 1929 until Joe and Evy Harman purchased the buildings as additions to the Frederick House in the late 1900's.

Today all five residences have been lovingly restored to offer guests a choice of 23 unique rooms and suites. All rooms are different in size and décor. Each room is decorated with period furniture and antiques. All rooms offer private baths, telephone, internet connectivity, hairdryers, alarm clocks, and bathrobes. Some rooms offer decorative fireplaces, private entrances, balconies and patios.