Interstate 64 cuts an asphalt swath through the Allegheny Mountains in southern West Virginia. The expressway carries speeding travelers into a landscape of misty mountain mornings, rippling brooks and, finally, a slower way of life.
The route also paves the way to Lewisburg’s country retreat, the General Lewis Inn. Built in 1834, the inn takes its name from the 18th-century soldier Andrew Lewis, who discovered a local natural spring, established his fame in battle and lent his name to Lewisburg, West Virginia.
Perched on a velvety green rise in the heart of town, the General Lewis Inn is recognizable by its white colonnaded veranda and inviting rocking chairs. Once inside, guests are surrounded by early American memorabilia: a 1760 hand-built walnut registration desk once used by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson; hand-hewn ceiling beams; and 18th- and 19th-century antiques in common areas and guest rooms.
But the General Lewis offers more than history lessons. The inn also promises relaxation and retreat. Each of the 25 guest rooms features golden-hued hardwood floors, and some boast original fireplaces and furnishings. Visitors sink into deep mattresses before “sleeping tight” on century-old poster and canopy rope beds. And while bathrooms are smaller than those in modern chain hotels, they include all the modern amenities.
Downstairs, the General Lewis serves dinner in its candlelit main-floor restaurant. The dining room’s 1834 construction — complete with original fireplace, wood smoke-stained walls and creaking floorboards — creates a charming complement to elegant white table linens. The menu features an extensive wine list and local rainbow trout, fried chicken and home-baked desserts. Breakfast treats range from hearty pancakes and oatmeal to homemade breads and fresh fruit.