Brook Hall

Brook Hall c1937; courtesy of The Library of Virginia

Brook Hall is one of the most fascinating and historic homes in Washington County. In the early 1900s the home fell into disrepair but thanks to the efforts of several owners, most notably Dr. and Mrs. Virgil Motley, it has regained its former glory. Thank you to Dr. and Mrs. Motley, and Carolyn Ryburn, for the colored photographs of present day Brook Hall seen below. The photograph to the left is from the Library of Virginia’s digital collection and was taken circa 1937 as part of a Virginia WPA Historical Inventory project. The other black and white photographs are courtesy of the Historical Society of Washington County.

The first structure to bear the name Brook Hall was built by James Dysart on the north side of the Old Wilderness Road (present day Lee Highway). In 1807 James sold the house and the surrounding 615 acres to William Byars for $5,000. William and his wife, Elizabeth Beattie, lived in the first Brook Hall for most of their married life, but around 1830 William completed construction of a larger brick home on the south side of the road which he also named Brook Hall.

The massive home, many years in the making, was constructed astride a rock ribbed hillside. The main beam under the center of the house was a solid oak squared log almost a foot on each side and 86 feet long. The 8,800 sq. foot home boasted 26 rooms, 55 windows and five chimneys that served fireplaces in every room on the second and third floors.

The interior rooms were detailed with beautiful hand carved woodwork. During construction Col. Byars employed 2 English cabinet makers who lived in the house for 4 years and created all the mantels, moldings and other detailed woodwork. The second floor held a ball room as well as the bedrooms occupied by the colonel's daughters which were accessed via a secret stairway from the floor below. Brook Hall also had a gun room, living and dining rooms and a kitchen with a huge fireplace. The home contained interesting and unique features such as hidden wine closets tucked against the fire jams.

Elizabeth (Beattie) Byars died in 1835. The couple's youngest child was only 9 or 10 at the time. William remained at Brook Hall until his death in 1866. Over the years many notable people were entertained at Brook Hall including at least 4 Virginia governors. Three U.S. presidents slept in the large guest bedroom.

As his children reached adulthood and married, Col. Byars helped each of them settle in their own home. William built a beautiful home called Cave Springs for his eldest surviving son (John). It sat on the west side of William's property on Little Holston (now Hall) Creek. William's youngest daughter, Amanda, and her husband John Ernest lived at Brook Hall with William. The 1860 census recorded William at age 83. His land was valued at $84,000 and his personal property at $41,500, both very significant amounts for Washington County. The land was cared for by 24 slaves.

William willed Brook Hall to Amanda who raised 5 children in the home. She was widowed in 1868 when Ernest was accidently crushed by a log during some work on the property.

Anyone interested in additional information on the construction and interior of Brook Hall will enjoy reading the two online sources listed below.

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