This past December I had the privilege of touring a new premiere wedding venue at a historic estate in Powhatan, Virginia. Sara Taylor, who co-owns the estate wedding venue with her husband Chad, ushered me throughout the bucolic grounds at Historic Whitewood. Charmingly situated in the countryside of Powhatan County, just west of Richmond Virginia, Historic Whitewood is a lovely backdrop for weddings and events. I was absorbed in my peaceful surroundings as we meandered among the property’s lush sprawling lawns and ancient trees.

A Shared Story: From Historic Farmhouse to Estate Wedding Venue

Sarah, Chad, and I share a deep understanding that we play a very small part in a much bigger story. And yet, we are caretakers of that story. In our time, we are responsible for both sharing the past and embracing what is to come, forging ahead to create a new, and hopefully brighter, path forward. That’s exactly what Sarah and Chad are doing with Historic Whitewood.

The Couple’s Journey to Purchasing a Estate Wedding Venue

Back when Chad and Sarah were waiting tables together at Palermo restaurant off of route 60 in Midlothian, Virginia, they never could have imagined that they’d one day settle down together and purchase an 108 acre estate rich in history and beauty. And yet, that’s exactly what happened.

One snowy day, when the Palermo restaurant closed due to inclement weather, the waitstaff decided to take a spontaneous ski trip to Wintergreen. Chad and Sarah found romance there among the snow-capped mountains; they began dating and quickly fell in love. Chad proposed in 2013; the couple was married on a farm in Powhatan, Virginia that same year. Sarah and Chad’s wedding venue would become the catalyst for a shared dream of owning their own farm someday.

Seven years later, after much patience, the pair’s dream came true. Sarah and Chad purchased Historic Whitewood Farm in 2013, and began the process of transforming the property into a premiere estate wedding venue in the heart of Virginia.

The Property’s Story

“We were drawn to the Powhatan area because of the small-town feel, the friendliness of the people, and the gorgeous landscape,” says Sarah. Powhatan is truly the perfect place to raise their children. But what the couple never could have imagined? Owning a property with such a vast and intriguing history.

The Thurman family began construction on the property’s main farmhouse in the late 1850s, but when the Civil War broke out in 1861, construction came to a halt. Fortunately for the Taurman family, the area now known as Powhatan, VA was largely spared from the battles that raged around nearby Richmond. The building materials and existing farmhouse structure remained unharmed. Once the war ended, the house was finished.

In addition to the original farmhouse, a small schoolhouse erected in the postbellum decade still stands on-site today. The structure was used to educate the children of Charles Carter Lee of Windsor, brother of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

A Modern Estate Wedding Venue in the Heart of Virginia

An Estate Wedding Venue with Modern Amenities

While Whitewood is certainly steeped in history, Sarah and Chad have taken great care to ensure that the estate wedding venue boasts all the modern amenities needed to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of their clients. Those amenities include overnight accommodations, a swanky groom’s den, a classy on-site salon, a charming horse trailer bar, a vintage red truck, a stunning pool with surrounding stone patio, a grand outdoor fireplace, a four thousand square foot commercial high peak pole tent, and so much more.

What Sets Whitewood Apart?

Sarah and Chad have hearts geared towards service; they take the time to build relationships with each of their clients. “We feel so honored to be a part of each couple’s wedding day. Seeing their love for one
another become a marriage bond is truly special, and it brings us so much joy to see our clients’ visions come to life,” says Sarah.

Online photos and physical descriptions only provide a small glimpse into Historic Whitewood’s charms. Truly, it is a place that must be explored in person to be fully appreciated, so book a tour today! For more information about what sets Historic Whitewood apart, visit the estate wedding venue’s website.

For more blog posts featuring other Virginia wedding professionals, read my Q&A With Tori Hance of Fleuressence Floral Design.