Historic Martinsville Lodge Gets New Life as Bed and Breakfast
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The Tudor-style house on 487 acres captured Joey Arrington’s attention. Although the 8‚500-square-foot property had been idle for seven years‚ he saw its potential.
Indeed‚ at one time the lodge was the pride of the area. It was built in 1919 by Marshall Field‚ who in 1916 purchased 1‚841 acres to build Fieldcrest Mills‚ the town of Fieldale and the company “clubhouse.”
Known as Fieldcrest Lodge‚ the clubhouse housed out-of-town visitors‚ including governors‚ financiers‚ senators and celebrities.
After being unattended for nearly a decade‚ the house had “gone downhill‚” says Kathy Arrington‚ Joey’s wife.
But Joey – president of Arrington Manufacturing‚ a leading motor-sports engineering company – was determined to own it. “And then once we got it‚ it was like ‘OK‚ now what are we going to do with it?’ ” Kathy recalls.
After many discussions‚ they opted to open an inn‚ and The Clubhouse Bed & Breakfast Resort officially opened in March 2006.
Built with local fieldstone‚ the building has a classic Tudor appearance‚ complete with wood beams‚ stucco‚ wainscoted walls and coffered ceilings.
There are seven bedrooms‚ a glass-enclosed sunroom and a billiards room. Balconies offer breathtaking views‚ and walking trails crisscross the wooded landscape. Travelers can relax beside the pool‚ play tennis or shuffleboard.
The decision to open the inn was the right one‚ the Arringtons agree.
“People who’d worked at Fieldcrest Mills all their lives now can come up and see the clubhouse‚” Kathy says. “It was too pretty to keep to ourselves.”
For more information visit theclubhouseresort.com.
Story by Pam George
Photo by Brian McCord
