The Inn at Blackstone: Bea Arthur’s Alma Mater Reimagined

I wanted a retreat so I checked my bookmarks.

It's not a secret: I love history. I love writing. I love exploring history and being inspired - writing in a place that is new (and old!). Sometimes, this means a little workcation/staycation not far from home.

Because this is a 'thing' for me, I've taken notes of a few places I'm curious to explore- especially on historic hotels here in Virginia!

The Inn at Blackstone, formerly Blackstone College, was built during the Gilded Age--a fascinating period as American women headed toward the suffrage movement.

This historic site lived many lives since the first young ladies walked through the door for "finishing school" in the 1890s through the time Bea Arthur graduated (yes, Maude/Golden Girls Bea!), to it's new chapter: the historic Virginia hotel I've had bookmarked to visit.

And honestly, I want you to experience it; I had no intention of writing about this place, but I must. To say it's overwhelming me is a massive understatement.

Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

Photo of Bea Arthur on display, Inn at Blackstone.

First impressions, lasting impressions.

The welcome.

I was definitely not expecting to see this historic, massive, brick building I saw online to actually sit smack-dab in a town. I truly thought it'd be more remote. After a 2-hour drive extended due to a raging storm over Petersburg forcing me to seek shelter, I was ready to walk through the doors and check in.

My first thought, especially after the man I share a home with mentioned his having "drilled at Fort Pickett" back in the day was: how have I never heard of this place before searching historic Virginia hotels online?

The parking lot was filled with cars from other states! Now I know the hotel's proximity and relationship with Fort Pickett, about 45 miles southwest of Petersburg, may be a factor.

Taking in the expansive brick building, I didn't expect what I found inside:

• industrial modern minimalist
• high ceilings
• an immediate sense of space offering up "calm"
• clean, comfortable seating areas
• framed black-and-white photos
• display cases filled with memorabilia leading to the registration desk

Simply put: a flawless combination of the classic 1890s exterior and modern industrial with retro design touches throughout.

Seating area, Inn at Blackstone.

Exploring the Inn.

After getting set up in my room, I wandered off to explore the property, get some steps in and - grab coffee in the lobby. My timing led me to a chance meeting with Dianna Lester, one of the Inn's longest-serving employees and it's Director of Sales and Events. PERFECT.

Dianna is as passionate about this historic site as I am about history-blogging!

We walked through the Inn and from the large meeting spaces to the bridal preparation suite, I got a private tour I didn't expect and wholly treasure.

Highlights:

• the Bea Arthur Suite often used for the bridal parties hosted by the Inn
• a courtyard boasting Adirondack chairs, an expansive patio, a fire pit, and view of Dianna's favorite 'Jamestown Oak' - it's massive!
• the Acorn: where breakfast service started at 6am (YES for us early-risers) and late in day two gentlemen with laptops were working (I immediately feeling at home!)
• plenty of spaces with comfortable chairs, even a view, to work (or just chill, read, journal)

Rear patio.

Dianna's favorite (massive) oak.

People of the past.

I mentioned Bea Arthur- I love her personal story as a woman dedicated to military service (yes, she was a U.S. Marine!), education, and family. She's part of the legacy of this place.

The building initially served as a finishing school for girls, The Blackstone Female Institute when it opened in 1894. By the 1920s ithad evolved into The Blackstone College for Girls (as Bea knew it!). It was "known across the South for its elegance, academic excellence, and social prominence." (direct quote from the website!)

But the man who must be mentioned: George Piece Adams. Born as the Civil War came to a close in 1865, Adams was around for new beginnings. His vision to open a female academy is to be applauded in my opinion.

Adams co-founded the Blackstone Female Institute with Methodist minister Joshua Soule Hunter- there idea at conception in 1891 was preparing girls to head off to Randolph-Macon Woman's College (still standing in Ashland north of Richmond, and no longer women-only). Source: Historical Marker Database.

(and yes, there's a suite named in his honor as well as Bea's!)

George Pierce Adams, founder.

The evolution of the Inn.

When Fort Pickett was active, the college paused and served military needs both in WWII and the Korean War. The final commencement ceremony actually took place in 1950.

From 1955 into the 1970s, the building served as the Virginia United Methodist Retreat & Conference Center. (Dianna even told me about a guest who'd been part of that chapter coming back to visit the hotel- I love that!)

Fast forward... fire, closure, and in 2022- new life. Kalyan Hospitality now owns the property and it's restoration and conversion are ensuring guests can enjoy it for years to come.

Inn at Blackstone.

Who should visit?

This is an easy question to answer:

• anyone needing accommodation near Fort Pickett (obviously!)
• digital nomads, solopreneurs, and creatives wanting a perfect workcation retreat
• groups needing event space: personal or professional
• couples looking for a beautiful, unique, and well-organized wedding venue
• history-lovers looking for an off-the-beaten site to explore

Click here to book a room.

Click here to request information on weddings and events.

An historic site reimagined.

You can still see Blackstone College sign near the unused entrance opposite the current parking lot.

Truly, a nod to the past not in contrast, but in sync with the future. Across the lawn nearer to the new lot, sits the former dean's house--- but as of summer, 2026 it isn't sitting still.

The dean's house is getting more than a fresh coat of paint- it's actively being renovated into lodging space... what a perfect spot for the weddings Diana actively books!

Old, new. Modern, retro. I LOVE the Inn at Blackstone... and will be back.

And as I create travel itineraries for clients- this hotel is on my go-to list for the journey to Williamsburg.

RELATED: Learn more about my curated travel itineraries here!

The former dean's house.

My ExploreHere discoveries.

You didn't think I'd go on a 2-3 hour drive and NOT find history along the way. Or in the town I was visiting- did you?

So to follow up on the last bullet point on "who should visit," you know history is everywhere. I found some things I'd never have known to look for without my ExploreHere app:

• Mayfield, the oldest standing brick house in Dinwiddie County and home of Robert Ruffin - a Burgess known to have been friends with George Washington
• The Jamestown Oaks Marker (fair point that Dianna pointed her favorite oak in the rear of the Inn later!) - 24 oaks planted in 2007 to honor the 400th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown

And more for you to discover on your journey- click here to download the app using my code! The learning continues, at the former Blackstone College and beyond.

Mayfield marker.

Jamestown Oaks marker.

Closing words from history.

For this blog post, I found a GEM. A digitized version the 1926 Acorn (Blackstone College's yearbook!). Click here to view it page-by-page, which I recommend. It includes photos and truly, it's an amazing view into the past.

Two excerpts: 1) the dedication the Vice-President and Dean, Mr. Gates and 2) part of the opening letter from College President H.P. Myers.

Dedication

"That we may express our deepest REGARD FOR ONE WHOSE HAPPY SMILE AND SYMPATHETIC UNDERSTANDING OF STUDENT PROBLEMS AND FINE COMPAN¬ IONSHIP IN WORK AND PLAY ARE AN EMBODIMENT OF THE TRUE SPIRIT OF A Southern Gentleman We Dedicate This 1926 “ACORN” TO MR. VV. B. GATES"

Letter excerpt:

"Blackstone is a spirit ! A College does not consist of materials alone, of brick and mortar, of porphyry and stone. Curricula and endowments and faculties do' not make a college. Blackstone is a spirit!

We find here the spirit of goodwill, the spirit of service, the spirit of heroism, the spirit of unselfishness, the spirit of ministry. And we must take this spirit with us into life, and translate it into such terms as a needy world about us can understand and appreciate.

Our obligation is to dedicate our lives to this task of disseminating the Blackstone spirit wherever we may go. To carry it into our homes, into our community, into our churches. Thus will the spirit of Blackstone become immortal, eternal! THIS IS THE FUTURE OF BLACKSTONE!"

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.