I can imagine that holding the position of president of the
United States is a difficult, stressful, time-consuming task that would require
periodic escapes just to retain a bit of sanity. Theodore Roosevelt certainly
felt this way, which is why he and his wife Edith acquired a small, rustic
cabin in Albemarle County.
In 1905, Edith Roosevelt purchased 15 acre of land—complete
with a worker’s cottage—and she called this wooded retreat “Pine Knot.” Edith knew her husband was fond
of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and although the purchase was primarily for Teddy
to escape the “strain of political life in Washington D.C., Pine Knot was as
dear to her as it was to her husband.
Teddy, Edith, and five of their six children made regular
visit to the cabin, taking a four-hour train ride from Washington D.C., and
then riding on horseback or in a carriage the rest of the way. Although in Edith
purchased another 75 acres to add to the property, the Roosevelts never again
visited Pine Knot after Teddy’s term as president.
Today, Pine Knot stands as a symbol of history. The Theodore
Roosevelt Association initiated the opening of Pine Knot as a public historic site,
furthering their effort with repair and renovations. If you are interested in
local history, sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and
vibrant, woodland settings, then Pine Knot is a must-see in the area. (High
Meadows is only a 12-minute drive from Roosevelt’s cabin. Click
here to check availability at our inn.)
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