Untold Stories of the ABANDONED 1700s Dunnington Mansion Finally Revealed

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

What would you turn it into if you had all the money in the world?

[@pigoff123]

A lovely home again. I have always wished to be rich and go down every road and restore property and sell it then start restoring the next one.

[@suenesnidal2600]

It's original self.

[@TheWvubaby]

A bed and breakfast.

[@rachelcookson3492]

Bring it back to its original glory, do guided tours, weddings, functions and festivals.

[@StanCat4]

Just preservation as it was & orig grounds too

[@rachelcookson3492]

Heather is a Saint. This house must be saved! Not only is it stunning, the history is beautiful, and families who lived there great people.

[@MrWolfsDen]

Leave it to developers to destroy a beautiful history of America , truly sad .

[@drblais5193]

you misspelled conservatives and ya they suck for what they have done to America

[@1976mcfarlane]

Every time. America needs to learn from European nations ..preserving these beautiful historical structures

[@MrWolfsDen]

@@1976mcfarlane Possibly . I see videos all the time from Europe and they actually have the same problem . Many historical places left to rot or highly vandalized . It's nice though when they can be saved so future generations can see what true craftsmanship looks like and how long they can be around if taken care of .

[@ANTI_FAscist_WW2champs]

unfortunately nothing lasts forever…

[@dain-x9q]

Actually it looks weathered not withstanding the many years of weathered foundations..

[@RickPeters-gy7to]

Wow, this film is AMAZING! brings back so many memories. I’m so glad that Michael was able to capture the amazing story where I used to visit with my first girlfriend in the 1980s. I don’t remember how we got to see it, but I really wish this place would be restored, because it means so much to me. Even though she broke my heart when I asked her to marry me in front of they archway, it made me the person I am today and I will never forget that. Go Heather and team!!

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jilldavis7229]

God bless Heather Beach!!! She is turning, what was a sad, heart breaking story, into a ray of sunshine of hope!!!! I pray that she is successful 👍🙏💕

[@maxinenall9950]

This is heartbreaking 💔 It's a perfect example of how corporations don't care about history and only the families took loving care of the house 🥰 I don't understand how it deteriorated that fast in less than 20 years 😥

[@galvaceci6498]

Beautiful Grand Mansion!!!! Please save it and restore this Grand Beauty!!

[@laurawilde8137]

How I wish I could handle the restoration of this! I love older buildings, and this looks still possible to save. I'll keep my fingers crossed...

[@heatherarmstrong1366]

Thank you Ms Heather Beach for your passion and not standing by the wayside. Thanks also for the community and family for this video. I will share it. May God bless you with His will to see the glory of the home brought back from the brink. You are all so amazing!!!❤❤❤ Love 💕 Heather from Iowa.

[@pontifier]

It's surprising how quickly buildings decay when people arent taking care of them. Very sad. I hope they are able to save it!

[@SandraOshea-d7o]

This is awesome. Bless the young women that has a love for it. Will keep it lifted in prayer.

[@luv2luv720]

This is a beautiful mansion! I'm so glad there's so many pictures to enjoy from its past. I got chills when she said the house was happy she decorated for Christmas! I bet it was 🥰

[@charlesrobertson8767]

I love it there.. My family genealogy shows they were some of the founding families of Farmville and Hampden Sydney College..Because of that I could of had free Tuition and all expenses paid.. But back then I didn't want to live in a small college town so Virginia Tech it was.. now some 40 years later I regret that.. ( Funny Karma..I became a Virginia State Trooper and did my FTO where else but Farmville..lol)

[@normanfletcher8332]

Bed & Breakfast, what a Great idea., So hope this once Grand Mansion is restored & saved...

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

Me too!!

[@littlemary434]

This channel is so underrated

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

That warms my heart, thank you!

[@patricatfurever4051]

Gorgeous! If I only had the funds! Praying that it eventually will be restored 🙏🏼

[@TheWvubaby]

Wow this home was a happy home and then it’s like the mansion was sad because the love and families left it. 😢

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

Heather is so well versed in the house’s history, its interior elements, and presents it eloquently.

[@ndog2005]

Yes, Yes, preserve this mansion for it is so rich in History...

[@Artist6135]

Thank God for Heather’s love for this home!!! ❤ I sincerely hope this home can be saved!!!

[@bettyb1313]

I pray someone saves this beautiful piece of history Amen

[@sandracuthbert1217]

A beautiful historic guesthouse and wedding venue.

[@SJ-um2ym]

It’s lovely to see that people are gathering together to help preserve a part of American history. We bulldoze and replace so much now. I hope they can save this place.

[@veniceliston1618]

what a beautiful home and beautiful history but so sad it was let go i hope it can be revived

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

They are raising funds now! If you want to help, here is how! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpCqepqJmc-ol7c Do you think the Dunnington Mansion can be saved?

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Of course, but it would be an absolute money pit to bring it up to code.

[@tomcaldwell5750]

Best wishes to everyone involved. May you succeed in a grand way!

[@bwiseok]

What a beautiful story

[@StonedustandStardust]

Prayers for the complete restoration and a museum would suit it❤

[@phunkyfeelone4855]

Interesting, my maternal family, The Jackson's and The Bowles', were land owners and farmers that go back generations in Farmville. I will def. enjoy this vid. Thank you for sharing!

[@esterherschkovich6499]

Morning from the Uk.. I love history.. This is interesting 😊Thank you. Heather is a star🌟🌟🌟and all who wishes to save this beautiful place 😊

[@rockinggator969]

What a lovely story. Let's hope a proper restoration happens soon!

[@tracywilliams9379]

What a gorgeous property. A perfect opportunity for a wedding venue/bed & breakfast/restaurant. So many ideas. Please save this piece of history. ❤

[@Traci.Johnson.Francisco]

Now this was great! I have a heart for historical preservation of old properties like this. I would love to see it restored.

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

That’s great to hear! Thank you so much for the comment. If you enjoyed that, you’re going to enjoy our future videos! We have a lot of upcoming content that showcases, beautiful old abandoned buildings getting restored. And we already have a few on our channel right now. Thanks again!

[@robertunderwood3393]

Most excellent and informative video. Thank you

[@ghostqueen2082]

What a beautiful manor house...it's so worth preserving for posterity.

[@helenawarsinnak]

This is an HISTORIC SITE that should be saved!!!! So many memories were made here and so many more can be!!!!

[@veralynguillory8579]

I would love to visit this place. Thanks for restoring something that was once so beautiful

[@Chr0chet_Obsessed]

I would turn it into a small farm rescue/ b&b where the house was like a two night stay or something. I totally agree that it needs to be cherished and enjoyed! Hopefully it will be restored and preserved before its too late 😢

[@daniakalaina]

It always ends with a developer leaving a historic house to fall apart so they can put McMansions on the property.

[@StanCat4]

This should be outlawed!!!

[@kelseyfoster1240]

First time coming across this channel and subscribed immediately. Beautifully done. You’ve got a new follower. 👋

[@DonnaBrowwn]

I loved this video. Very good information and near enough that I can visit in the not to distant futures. Hopefully, someone will have the funds or plans to save it. Looks like it might happen. Thank you for this information.

[@bunnymad5049]

That is just heartbreaking. I hope they are successful.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

1:44 Wonderful old overhead shot of the land and mansion.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

A magnificent home, please bring it back to life 🎉

[@lms1982luvpeace]

Thank u for saving and respecting that box all the history ppls live story's I think it's important ❤

[@haveagreatday3664]

Definitely going to try and donate to the restoration

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

Thank you!!

[@juliebarnett9812]

That was a great rendition. Thank you.

[@cathyreardon8979]

Please someone save this house with a beautiful history. 🙏 16:51 16:51

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

Denton mansion foundation is trying their best!

[@pj091373]

Slavery was beautiful history?

[@oliviasayshi7517]

This makes me so happy! I saw a picture of this place abandoned about a year ago. I love that folks are trying to revive it now!

[@pattyking5352]

I visited Dunnington Mansion today. I applaud the efforts of all of the people who are working to save this beautiful structure.

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

Thank you for your comment! And for those wondering, there was an event yesterday, so this person had permission. Please do not visit the mention site without permission! Thank you.

[@aprildryden7964]

This was great! Thank you.

[@John-ws5oh]

All right😊!! Right to the story.. wow. New sub.

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

And that is going to be our mission! We will promise to do that for every video.

[@WorldOfEnchantment44]

Oh that is absolutely stunning 😮

[@jacquetow9914]

I would love to help you bring it back together and seeing how it gets done what will it be used for! Thanks for sharing 👍 😊

[@cuddzilla]

Beautiful and sad. And typical of "investment groups".

[@garyjones2582]

I see so many places like this on the net that have been abandoned.. it is so sad to see how it has fallen into the state that it's in today... I think every community has a similar story... I hope someone gets interested enough to help save this place and bring it back to it's former glory..

[@lizbetty6661]

Such a great composition of historical places. Growing up near NYC, I’ve traveled to many revolutionary war sites and this estate surely needs help fast.

[@tishasian4314]

I can't understand how one person could let this house go. a 300 year old house completely destroyed. I'm sure it all had to do with money and greed and not caring a world about architect. I'm glad somebody stepped up you don't let a 300 year old house crumble to ruins. It would make a great wedding venue

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

And that is exactly why we made this documentary! To help spread the word about this beautiful place and the potential it has!

[@pj091373]

Right... money and greed...and not caring about the slaves who began this legacy smh

[@georgiasmalley8984]

Great story!!!

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

16:38 I wonder what happened with the FarmVille Cemetary dated 1891 on the paper in the middle of the screen.

[@dorisantwine]

What a sad mistake they have made. This home could have still been a slice of History that so many people could have seen how grand the home was for the people who lived their dreams. They could have done like Builtmore has done.

[@ellamaeloftus3493]

Great video.

[@ShawnBurke-y5d]

Get the property twin brothers. I believe in them. They always do magical amazing work. I love their special craft in recreating historical time pieces.

[@Aztec73]

I hope that that beautiful Mansion is saved.🙏 22:29

[@darlenespencer4594]

Beautiful story

[@chlldavefromsd7862]

As a distant cousin, I am inspired by this cause and this story. It was the Civil War that caused a rift among some brothers in Maryland, and my branch descended from the ones who believed in the Union cause. Even in my line the names Francis and James continued, which is interesting, because it was a Francis who first settled in Maryland from England-probably York-in the 1600’s. I will look for the foundations website. I would like to do what I can.

[@BodyworkByJon]

Amazing!

[@oliveo.5022]

Were they employed there or enslaved there?

[@HLBear]

I would imagine both across its history. The pictures they showed were in the 20th century, so those are employees. But having been built mid-1700s in Virginia, they would have had enslaved people at that time.

[@alishadarcy8482]

Have they spoken to the daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution?

[@chantellovely]

I hope they get all the funding they need and it gets fixed up ! I can’t wait to see the transformation !

[@1976mcfarlane]

Heather Beach is an angel. 🙏🙏🙏 Praying for this manor.

[@lah-tee5412]

It’s definitely testament that it only takes one person to destroy something (the decision to sell to an investor) but also it only one person who cares enough to do fight for something that moves them. Very inspiring and I hope they can save this beautiful piece of history. It deserves it. 🥹

[@ABeautfulMess]

I've been there, omg over 30 yrs ago..I wish they would make it Historical and save it.

[@georginaseal8924]

Kappy explored this home.

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

Awesome looks like Kappy and I have something in common!

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

10:49 That bookshelf looks like it used to be a door.

[@aileenjackson1706]

...and would make a wonderful old folks home.

[@21299]

Every state has its list of multi-million-aires. If each one was on the board of directors you might have a chance.

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

I appreciate your confidence!

[@donaldperson948]

I had one of those mansions, it was always cold or hot! And maintenance was never done!

[@ShowzShorts]

,beautiful propwrty and history and family...its so sad that group that bought it broke his promise to make this a amazing gilf course

[@WyrdWanderings]

Another great way to raise money for old building like this is to do ghost hunts. People will pay to come at night and just hang out and see if they get anything. Its a great way to raise money to restore cool buildings like this.

[@leahtv7778]

Bummer they're just letting it decay and not restoring it. Tourists would love to visit!

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

They are trying to raise funds to buy it and restore it now! Here is more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpCqepqJmc-ol7c

[@duvine3882]

The home my dad built which was cared for better than us was demolished to build a luxury tall house by a new owner, if it isn't companies is other peoples conveniences that eliminate a past, as there's no need to care much for material things.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

2:20 There is a photo of the ice house as mentioned in the KZbin video from Appalachian Memory Keepers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIebp2xvjJiSh5Y

[@Stayoutofthewater522]

I can never understand why anyone would purchase a piece of history and then proceed to neglect it.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

Some of the info in this video doesn’t “add up”. 1:35 James and Frances built the original brick home, but why are you showing a wooden home? 1:39 1860 the property was sold to John Hughes by Frank and Paulina, but who were Frank and Paulina and what happened to James and Frances?

[@diane1390]

Im sure glad that man saved that box full of papers. I think they should save that old mansion. That's a piece of Virginia history.

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

I am too! I can’t imagine if all of that ended up in the trash.

[@brandonjones3727]

It’s so beautiful I home, I hope they save it…

[@The1ByTheSea]

The architecture of the Dunnigton Mansion reminds me of the old house of Detriot;if they were restred;so could Dunnigton Mansion .

[@dagmarmarionkidwell-to9ub]

I sure hope this house can be saved

[@RondaStar]

Sometimes in family we can't afford heritage then greedy take advantage of people.Ronda Australia

[@The1ByTheSea]

Oh wow !! SOmoene should buy and donate it to the university

[@tarialorehand]

My only issue with turning it into a bed and breakfast is, location and worry about things getting broken. It's not a bad idea though. a Wedding venue wouldn't be a bad idea either. But it seems a bit small for a large wedding to be inside. It is a beautiful house and if I had the money I'd buy it and restore it back to its full glory, add some gardens around, a few foot paths, a large boxwood border around the property line, get a new driveway into the place since I can't see where it would be now, maybe even a pond somewhere. How big is the property?

[@YellowstoneBound1948]

My main concern would be the annual budget. I have the impression here that many of us do not quite grasp what is involved in running a small business three miles south of Farmville.

[@tarialorehand]

@@YellowstoneBound1948 that's a good point. But if you have say a bed and breakfast you could make a small profit off of that alone. I mean to me it would mean you would have to charge quite a bit for the rooms and if people are willing to pay that price, there needs to be a reason for them to stay and not just for the house alone. Lots of questions come to mind, like: What is the town like, is there any historical areas for places for people to visit to make it worth their while. lots of things need to be taking into account for it to be a B and B. Yes it could be a wedding venue if the grounds are turned back into something that was very ornate and amazing to see. But as I said it's a small house and there doesn't look like there is that much room inside. So I supposed it would just need to be turned back into a residents and whoever buys it would enjoy the house as a home and that's it. Maybe do a tour or two to help them maintain the house. But again the house would need to have some sort of history that brings people there besides that fact that it was built in the 1800's. I know I sound odd, but I always tend to have more questions than most, sorry.

[@gigicostlow4414]

@@tarialorehand Farmville has lots of history and things to do and see in and around the town. A bed and breakfast would do well. The golf course surrounding the house has competitions. Longwood University is there. They have a big festival and other events there. There's historic sites. Lynchburg is about an hour away.

[@S1YAM]

When is the pine bluff video coming out?

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

We are currently editing it, as soon as it’s done, we will release it on that Sunday. It’s hard to tell right now.

[@karenplater8491]

Please please someone take this property on and restore it doesn't deserve to be left to fall down such history

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

@dunningtonmansionfoundation is raising funds to purchase and restore the building right now! Let’s hope their campaign is able to reach that goal!

[@sherleengibson8847]

SLAVERY IS NEVER GOOD, HUMAN BEINGS WERE MADE TO BE FREE.

[@Ray-sj2iw]

Ya, think? What is your point? Do you think the history of places like this shouldn't be preserved? No one is saying slavery is good. So stop with race baiting. All history must preserved, good and bad. This place is not only a reminder of slavery but the thousands who died to end it. Slavery is a horrible part of every race's history. More white people have been enslaved than blacks. Do you feel the same way about Muslims as you do about this place? Do you blame them the same way? No one alive today is to blame for what happened more than 159 years ago. The Islamic slave trade in Africa started more than 400 years before the first European white slave traders bought their black slaves. It was a Muslim slave trader who captured the Africans and sold them. Muslims also castrated all the black slaves that went the Islams Arab route. Did you know that? They did this for two reasons, they could not have intercourse with Arab women and so they could not reproduce. The very word for black people in Arabic is Abeed, which means slave. The word slave was originally for white European Slavic people. History, all history, needs to be taught. Not to teach hate, but to teach of humanity's mistakes so we don't repeat them. There are more slaves in today's world than at any time in recorded history. Perhaps we should concentrate on helping them instead of living in an American past that does not exist anymore.

[@QueenSuga405]

@@Ray-sj2iwyou wrote this essay for what? Your family owned slaves?

[@beachrose88]

sad town allowed this to fall to ruin. SHAME ON THE TOWN GOVT

[@ninnin261]

Oh how terribly sad this is!

[@megmills4798]

This is the story of to many abandoned properties truly sad

[@sherristyers5627]

This mansion would make a beautiful wedding venue. It has enough room to have part of it be a small bed and breakfast, a wedding venue and several other businesses

[@FLMegan]

I love the house and the families telling the tales of how it used to be. I am very sad thou, that all the family and friends in the interview never said slaves but only employees/ staff/ workers. Only one to mention slaves and even plantation, was the African American lady herself. We need to recognize all the good and the bad, speak all of the history accurately and factually - leaving all souls who contributed willingly or unwillingly, as an important part of the hopeful restoration of this plantation and home. And just maybe, the holdup is the test of truth and real reflection.of this generation to acknowledge all involved, including the reality of slavery. Allow the souls of today to learn the names of those who lived back then, the cabins they shared, the mistakes and atrocities that were committed by the owners so that the past does not repeat. It is vital that we recognize how, meaning the entirety, of how we should learn from history and only then can we reflect on what kind of energy and behavior we want to bring forth now as we move forward together. This project is absolutely a great cause, but definitely needs some very thought out intentions set out before the stars align, and things can move forward. ❤.

[@shirleybalinski4535]

In reply to your comments about slavery at Dunnington Manor. The original family members/ owners interviewed had no connection with slavery during their lifetime. Those folks who worked there were employees who got paid at that time. Slavery did exist there way before their lifetime. The previous family members/ unrelated owners did not need to mention slavery as that would be a given topic for 99% of most folks. I'm sorry but, every story/ program/ historical article does not need a slave narrative to make it worthwhile. Folks who are interested in the house/ area/ family history would already be more than aware of the historical background. If this house were ever to be restored & open to the public, slavery would be given it's due & that part of it's history told. That was not the purpose of this video. This video was made to draw attention to preservation of the Manor. Perhaps, you could join preservation efforts & contribute to that aspect of its history.

[@oliviasayshi7517]

If they made a patreon i would support it