The Cloverlea History Project is an ongoing public history endeavor researching the history of the Cloverlea Farm land and those who have contributed to it over the years, dating back to the original indigenous stewards of the area.  The ownership and ancestral connections spread far and wide accross Bedford and beyond, and we are excited to help facilitate the continued work of this project.  We have tangible goals related the preservation of historical sites and artifacts, curation of educational displays, and storytelling efforts to preserve and share this rich history.

• Early History - We acknowledge that the land of this region, in its true origins was stewarded by the indigenous Monacan Indian Nation.  We want to honor their history, as part of Claytor's story as well.

• 1600s-1900s - In an academic research report titled "A History of Our Future," Lynchburg College alumnus, Stephen Moseley, offers a detailed account of the early history of Bedford County, and a timeline of ownership of the Claytor Nature Center property.  Some highlights of those earlier times are:

  • • • • 1790 - The first mention of the house appeared in a census document in 1790.  At that time, it was a modest sized house, with the footprint of the current great room in the farmhouse today.  Several families owned the home with the land an house changing hands through sales and deed transfers.

        • circa 1850 - The 'buttermilk house' was added to the farmhouse.  At the time, the property was a dairy farm, and it is said that the buttermilk production proceeds funded that addition.  With it being a working farm during the years prior to the Civil War, we acknowledge that enslaved persons lived on and contributed to the land and history there.  We hope to share and honor the stories of all that have been a part of the history in a meaningful way.

        • late 1800s - The Carnefix and Watson families were owners of the house and land in the late 1800s, and several of their family members were laid to rest in the small family cemetery on the property along the drive toward the Observatory.

        • early 1900s - Then owner, Dr. Williams renovated parts of the house, including remodeling the great room by taking out the center stairway, raising the roofline of the second story and adding the columns of the back porch area overlooking the Ash lawn.  The the upper garden areas and gum tree circle driveway were added, and original blueprint drawings and landscape architecture plans for those were found in the attic.

        • 1957 -  Virginia "Ginny" and A. Boyd Claytor III purchased the property, which they called the Cloverlea Farm.  They added on the east wing of the house in the late 1960s.

• 1998 - Because they did not have children to inherit their estate, when Virginia Claytor passed away that year, Boyd decided to gift his estate, and funds to sustain it, to an institution that would forever protect and use the property for nature appreciation and education.  Within his gift agreement to Lynchburg College, there are specific wishes and terms for the establishment and maintenance of the Claytor Nature Center.  The property was also put under conservation easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.

• early 2000s - Developments on the property to create the Claytor Nature Center were added and various programmatic activities ensued:

  • • • • The first projects were the Claytor Education & Research Facility on the north side of the property, and the installation of the Virginia Claytor Memorial Gardens, with reflecting pool on the grounds of the Cloverlea Farmhouse.  

        • The dilapidated old barn and small house near the Cloverlea Lane entrance were demolished.

        • 2001 - The Husted Pavilion was erected, and serves as a place for outdoor educational programs and gatherings.

        • 2007 - Belk Astronomical Observatory was added on the southern side of the property, under the direction of Neal Sumerlin.   Learn more about the Observatory and subscribe to an on-going blog from Neal for more space science stories - Star Struck 

• 2009 - Boyd Claytor passed away, leaving his legacy behind with the Claytor Nature (Study) Center.  In his memoir, Boyd shares much about his personal life, U.S. Navy service in WWII, Bedford business and civic connections, and his endless love and care of his Cloverlea estate.  He discusses how he fought to protect the beautiful land and scenic view from the installation of large power lines, and put the land under conservation easement.

• 2010 - The farm road and the McGhee Bridge were added over the Big Otter River, to connect both sides of the property.  The bridge was gifted in honor of Boyd and Virginia Claytor from Virginia's sister, Betsy McGhee, and her husband.  The beautiful reflection room in the farmhouse is also named in their honor for that gift.

• 2010s - The trail system, now a network of over 8 miles, continued to grow with major contributions from Dan Miles, avid naturalist and former facilities manager.  The White Ash tree at the farmhouse was measured to be the 3rd largest in Virginia, and continues to be cared for and protected from the invasive Emerald ash borer beetle.  Otter Space, the natural play area, was created from the vision of Dan Miles and Maggy Liell, with inspiration from other regional nature spaces.  The campground area, with private tent sites, Campitheatre, water and outdoor shower, and composting outhouse was created.

• 2014 - Chandler EcoLodge, a 16-bed bunk house was constructed with energy-efficient building techniques and materials.  Infrastructure in the surrounding area was placed for future additions to create an expanded EcoVillage.

• 2016 - Bob Kibler's gift of 21 acres brings Claytor Nature Center's acreage to almost 500.  Bob, now serving on the board of Cloverlea Foundation, still owns the remaining 80 acres of that property, which we now call Peaksville Place.

• 2018 - Claytor celebrates 20 years, and several key people who were involved and responsible for its development are mentioned in the article linked.

• 2021 - The public Cloverlea History Project gained traction again, and will continue with our efforts.  The dying allée of ash trees along the Cloverlea driveway were replaced with more resilient young American Elm trees, which will continue to grow and create another grand approach to the farmhouse.

• 2022 - The late University of Lynchburg Trustee, E. Stewart Coleman donated many period furniture pieces and lovely artwork to the Cloverlea Farmhouse, including a collection of paintings from member Katharina Bergdoll, a Virginia native artist and conservationist.

From the timeline above, you can see that even though the Claytor Nature Center was created from Boyd Claytor's vision for his farm, the history of the land runs deep and the contributions from others stretch far and wide.  We at the Cloverlea Foundation are helping to ensure that expanded vision is fulfilled.  Learn more about our organization name and identity here.