Although she is known for her “pioneer literature,” and made her home in Nebraska, author Willa Cather was born in Frederick County, Virginia, and spent the first nine years of her life here.
She spent most of those years at Willow Shade, a pretty, stately brick home that is well maintained today and is privately owned (so no tours are available, although they seem to allow special groups to tour the property occasionally).
Willa was born in the house of her grandmother, Rachel Boak. Her birthplace is a few miles up the road from Willow Shade. I’ve always been a fan of her writing, and knew that she was born in Frederick County, so I’d looked once for the home (and didn’t find it). I set out recently, determined that I’d find it, and ended up driving by it a couple of times before I saw it behind the trees and brush that separate it from the busy highway.
Sadly, the site is in really bad shape. The marker is not visible from the road (hence my trouble in finding it) and the house is literally falling apart.
During my visit, I was creeped out by a rather long snakeskin (thankfully, without occupant) hanging in some brush in front of the house. This is not a place you want to linger, and not a place you can imagine a treasured author or her family inhabiting.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, and at that time, it was reported that it was maintained by its owner. I couldn’t find any record that it had been sold since then, but clearly it is no longer receiving even minimum maintenance. The former front door was ajar and black plastic was peeking out.
I poked around a little online for information, and there don’t seem to be any plans to try to purchase and restore (or even just minimize future damage) to the home. I’m not sure what entity could purchase it – I guess I was thinking perhaps the Willa Cather Foundation – but they seem to be focused on her life in Nebraska.
Yes, there are greater world problems, and many worthy causes competing for money and time and resources, but it makes me sad to see this historic place just…rot away.
Photos: Pentax KM, Acros 100 (expired), 50mm f2 lens