Springfield 1842 Cabins
by
Terry Sullivan
Summary: A respite for the traveler awaits wine and spirit enthusiasts at historic Springfield in Halifax, Virginia. In addition to the distillery, there is a tasting room in a log cabin. Two other cabins near the historic manor house are available for rent.
The farm, established in 1799, surrounds the cabins, distillery, tasting cabin and the manor house. The manor house dates from 1842, and is an example of antebellum architecture. This property has remained in the same family for eight generations. It was known as Springfield because of the many springs on the property. In 2012, the property was purchased by James and Kelly Gordon.
Cabins, one log and one timber, are used for overnight accommodations on the property. The cabins provide an ideal base location for wine and spirit enthusiasts to explore the regions’ wineries and distilleries. There are other historic sites nearby.
Timber Cabin
We spent a night in the timber cabin. This cabin was originally constructed in Massachusetts and transported to its current location from Georgetown, Massachusetts. The timber cabin is the closest cabin to the beautiful two-story brick manor house. The A-framed cabin includes a bedroom with a queen-sized bed, a sitting area, kitchenette and bathroom. The kitchenette and bathroom were added onto the original A-framed timber cabin. With the high A-shaped ceiling, the cabin feels very spacious. Smooth pine wood covers the walls, floors and ceiling giving the room a warm honey glow. Large dark beams highlight the lighter colored walls. A small deck on the front of the cabin overlooks the manor house, while a small deck on the back of the cabin overlooks a field and woods.
The sitting area has several pieces of antique-style furniture including a three-drawer dresser with an attached mirror. A small secretary provides a desk space. An old-style straight chair with cane seating is perfect for the secretary seating. On the other side of the sitting area a wood framed rocking chair with a padded seat and back makes a comfortable spot to relax.
The kitchenette is equipped with a Keurig coffee maker, small refrigerator, sink and microwave. An assortment of snacks, water and soda are available. A bowl of fresh eggs was in a refrigerator. An egg cooker is on the shelf above the counter. Visitors can prepare a light breakfast.
The cabin has plenty of electrical outlets. There is no television, but there are plenty of magazines for perusing. Internet access is spotty. However, I had good success using my phone connection as a personal hotspot to check email on an iPad and the local weather. We used Kathy’s iPad to watch a movie from Amazon Prime. The movie streamed perfectly.
The cabin is restful, the night was quiet and a few birds were chirping at dawn. A rooster could be heard in the distance. During the day, plenty of light floods the cabin. An angled square glass window high on the A-frame floods the room with light during the day. At night, electric lights on a beam shine on the ceiling providing the cabin with a warm lighted radiance.
The other cabin on the property was built by James and Kelly using locally sourced timber. The 18’ X 18’ cabin has half dovetail notches at the corners. It too is equipped with a kitchenette and bathroom. A large porch wraps around two sides of the cabin.
If you are planning to explore the historic region of Southern Virginia, the Springfield Distillery cabins are a good place to stay. The kitchenette provides a nice spot for a quick pick-me-up and a variety of restaurants are located only minutes away.
For distillery and winery travelers, the cabins are a perfect base. The Springfield Distillery (pictured below) is a short walk from the cabins, while several wineries are within an hour’s drive. In neighboring Mecklenburg County, there are three wineries and another distillery to visit. There are also a few wineries within an hour’s drive in Northern North Carolina.
Springfield Distillery Cabins
9096 River Rd.
Halifax, Virginia 24558
Article written February 2017.
