Another part of Booth history lost

[L Verge]

When Booth and Herold reached the village of Port Royal, Virginia, they stopped briefly at the Brockenbrough-Peyton House, until Miss Sarah Peyton decided that it was not proper for her to be there alone with two strange men. The historic site still stands - barely.

When the Rockefeller Foundation was looking for a colonial town to restore, Port Royal was one that was in the running, along with Williamsburg and Annapolis. There were so many things in each town that were well-documented at that time, and I believe that those records are held at the College of William and Mary.

As for the Peyton house, it had a beautifully intricate entryway of hand-carved wooden panels. Sometime in the 1920s or 1930s, those panels were bought by a museum in Kansas City. Once on display as part of their decorative arts holdings, they have been packed away for years.

There have been desperate attempts made to sell the Peyton house to someone who would lovingly restore it. We had heard that the museum was willing to donate the panels back to someone who would do the restoration. However, forum member Art Loux has just sent word that the museum has sold the woodwork to a private collector. I've asked Art to supply his photo of the pieces that he took at the museum in the 1980s.

[Dave Taylor]

Then:
http://boothiebarn.com/picture-galleries...ton-house/

Now:
http://boothiebarn.com/picture-galleries...ouse-2013/

[Jim Garrett]

Unfortunately, the owner of the Peyton-Brockenbough house wants a lot for a house that will be an exceedingly expensive project to put back into any kind of condition. The asking price has been completely off the charts. Great "now" picture Dave.

[BettyO]

Indeed - it would be wonderful for the Peyton-Brockenbough house to be fully restored - as it would be for the entire little settlement of Port Royal. Lots of grand architecture just sitting there begging for restoration and love. However it would be a costly affair....

I can't say how many times I've been up to Surratt House via Route 301 over the past 40 years and passed by those wonderful homes wishing that I was a millionaire!

[Rsmyth]

I remember years ago peeking through the windows. The place has quickly deteriorated.

[RJNorton]

Thank you to Art Loux for sending this link about the Peyton House interior.

[BettyO]

Too, too bad it was sold....what a lovely interior - it must have been a beautiful house -