By Matt de Simone
Aspen Hill, the former home of Captain Jim Figgatt in 1839 and later home to the James Breckenridge family, has recently been restored by local preservationists Caroline and Donald Naysmith. The home was added to the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation’s (RVPF) list of “Endangered Sites” in 2023. The Naysmiths were “pleased” to have the opportunity to add this to their portfolio of saved and restored historic properties. This is the couple’s 28th restoration project.
The Naysmiths purchased the home from the Michael Moorman family last year and spent the better part of the year working on the home. Over several months the couple worked to save the home from further water damage, vegetation, and rodent damage. They also joined the walkway between the kitchen and main house, turning it into a breezeway that now includes a laundry/bath addition to the home.
In December, the Naysmiths held an open house for visitors to see the full restoration back to its original grandeur. The couple took time prior to the open house to mark the items in the house that they purchased in the sale that included antiques and other furnishings. The home’s master bedroom features a spindle bed bought from Fincastle’s Scott and Susan Critzer. The Moorman family collected antique and vintage clothing, some of which are on display currently. The grand piano that was once housed in the Naysmiths’ Old Jail gift shop can now be found in the parlor at Aspen Hill.
The Naysmiths recently shared some details regarding the restoration noting the home’s seven fireplaces that have been converted to feature electric fireplace inserts and the large kitchen fireplace and its original crane that suspended cooking pots and pans. The dining room now features a table that seats 12 people and is also where the Breckinridge family’s 150-year-old piano is located. The couple also replaced the home’s heating and air, refinished the heart pine wood floors, and repainted the roofing.
Vines had previously grown into the bricks of the home where there was also water damage to the walls over time. The couple replastered the walls and ceilings that needed “major repair work” along with replacing baseboards that had rotted in spots. The landscaping has been improved including a row of pine trees along Hancock Street and some trees that were planted in the front yard.
The future use of the home is still in question following the restoration project. The Naysmiths shared that Aspen Hill could serve various purposes that include becoming the home of a family who loves history and historic buildings, or law/business offices looking to relocate, or maybe as a community house or tea room. Caroline shared that she wants to hear from the community about the home’s future as “the house is an integral part of Fincastle, and we would love to see it used in a way the town could enjoy it.”
The Naysmiths shared that they plan to hold another open house event later this spring. Aspen Hill is located at 322 East Main Street in Fincastle.
