Fall has arrived in Monroe County, WV and the colors are approaching peak.It’s a great time for photography, and other outdoor activities. It’s perfect for Driving Back Roads. I can’t think of a better place to be this time of year.
Chris Wszolek let me know that the autumn colors were bright and vivid at his place in Union, and kindly offered to let me walk around and shoot some photos. He and his wife, Anita, call Elmwood Estate home. It’s easily one of the most recognizable historic homes in Monroe County, if not the state. They bought the farm in 2001 and saved the magnificent Greek Revival home and associated structures from years of neglect. Today, the buildings have been restored, and the property serves as a wedding and events venue. Another home on the estate serves as an Airbnb. The Wszoleks are very much into historic preservation, and are doing their part for Union and the surrounding area. They have also purchased other historic homes and revived and refitted them for modern needs, while letting them retain their historic integrity.
My wife and I pulled into the long lane leading up to the historic home. It was early afternoon, and the sun lit the trees, which were in rich autumn shades. I opened the back door of the truck and pulled out a couple of cameras and a monopod and we started to walk around.
One can only image scenes from the past that have played out here. The Greathouse at Elmwood was built in the 1830s by Thomas Jefferson’s best mason, William B. Phillips for Hugh Caperton. The original Elmwood was a brick structure located behind the main house,built around 1808-1810 for the Caperton family. It was later converted to a barn to house work horses. The brick barn is on the National Register of Historic Places.
An old restored Oliver tractor sat under a side shed of the brick barn. It remined me of one we had back on the farm in Kentucky, whenI was a kid. My wife snapped my picture with it. A 1952 Chevy pickup sat in the garage. Chris brings it to Kittles Hardware store in downtown Union on Saturdays, which they own and operate.
Fall colors at Elmwood are awesome, but also all around Monroe County and the surrounding area.One would do good to pick any back road and drive. Monroe County will not disappoint.
More information about Elmwood and Monroe County, WV can be found below in the following links:
Monroe County Historical Society
Driving Backroads June 2020 Article about Union
