Willow Shade

On Saturday it was pouring rain. Since I had pretty much recovered after not feeling well for three weeks, I was anxious to get out. I read that there was a craft sale at Willow Shade near Winchester, and since it is a historical site that is almost never open to the public, I decided it was worth the drive.

This was the childhood home of writer Willa Cather. I read her novel My Antonia many years ago.

Despite the impressive brick exterior, the house is similar to many Shenandoah farm houses on the inside, although the owners have made improvements such as electric fireplace inserts. Our hosts were very friendly and the art and craft items were nice.

We took several pictures of the historical marker out on Route 50 but the rain was coming down so hard that all the pictures are dark and blurred.

Willow Shade

This house, built in 1858, was the childhood home of novelist Willa Cather from 1874 to 1883, when she moved with her family to Nebraska. It was the setting of the final chapters of her novel SAPPHIRA AND THE SLAVE GIRL. Willa Cather was born December 7, 1873, one mile south in the community of Gore then known as Back Creek Valley.