August 29, 2011 – Herbert Hoover’s Rapidan Camp

This morning we made our way to the visitor center where we took the guided tour to Herbert Hoover’s Rapidan Camp.

Did you know that Herbert Hoover was the first president that came from west of the Mississippi?  Many of the other presidents would go back to their homes for a weekend retreat but in Herbert Hoover’s case, he did not have a place to do that.  So Rapidan Camp was constructed.  Here is more information:

 

 

President Hoover and his wife, Lou, used this “retreat” many times during his presidency.  Roosevelt only used it once and then built the now famous “Camp David”.  However, from 1933 until the Park Service took it over, many dignitaries and former presidents used the camp.  When Al Gore stayed in the 1990’s, he recommended that the camp be opened for all visitors to enjoy.   So of the original thirteen buildings constructed, three have been updated, restored and are included in the tour.

So come along with me and I will give you the shortened version – :-):

Our group and tour guide, Sally, took us through the personal side of Herbert and Lou Hoover:

 

There are numerous signs and pictures throughout the camp describing what it looked like and what happened there:

This is the Prime Minister’s Cabin that is like a mini-museum:

The front and back of “The Brown House” – it was beautiful inside.  We could not take pictures but the ones above are very close to what it looked like.

Can you imagine coming out here in the morning with your cup of coffee and enjoying the views, the sound of the rivers, and the sounds of nature. Here are the views from the porch:

 

 

 

This fireplace was amazing – I can just imagine sitting in front of this with a roaring fire and roasting marshmallows – :-)

In the center of the picture below is a fountain that is gravity feed by one of the streams.  The inflow is still working but the outflow is not.  Sally told us that they found out that the out flow feed 3 small pools before emptying into one of the other streams.  However they have not yet found the outflow pipes.   

 

Lou also had many gardens and pathways in this area.  You can see one of the pathways in the lower left in the above photo.

One of the original fire hydrants – still working:

The last restored building:

We did not go in this building because it is for the volunteers who help take care of the camp.   AND…they are always looking for volunteers to help.  Hmmmm, something to consider – especially seeing the above back porch.   I could spend a week or two here – :-))).

After our tour, we loaded into the van and began our 6 mile journey back up the mountain to the visitor center.  On the way down this morning, we did see a small black bear thru the woods but none on the return trip.   Sally did tell us that there is a mother and four (yep, that is correct, four) cubs in the Big Meadows area.   Very interesting!

What a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it if you are in the area – it is free.

Since we are staying here another week, we made a wood run this afternoon.  Andy went to chopping but a storm came rolling in so – :-((  no campfire tonight.   Oh well, there is always tomorrow.

Stay tuned.