Academy Hall
Home of Megan & Adam Smith
211 High Street, Strasburg, VA
As one of the oldest brick houses in Shenandoah County, Academy Hall has been beautifully renovated by Megan and Adam Smith, who bought the home in 2023. The lot on which it stands was first owned by Jacob Stover, who gave it to his son. Christian Stover built a log cabin on the site, which no longer stands. In 1840, a German Academy was built, and in 1860, a schoolmaster's residence was added to the eastern side of the Academy.
The home maintains its original random-width pine floors where some of the black walnut pegs are visible. During restoration of the Academy wing, workers found the old ceiling joists and revealed Civil War-era graffiti on the plaster walls. A kitchen behind the dining room features a large fireplace. The original ceiling joists and part of the room's brick wall have been exposed.
The Smiths have chosen soft Williamsburg paint colors of mustard and blue for the doors and woodwork. Beautiful terraced flower beds and a paved patio have been added at the back of the house. Ornate antique wrought iron gates on the driveway were found in Ohio, made by the same foundry that made the wrought iron fencing that surrounds the front of the property.