On this episode we chatted with Etta & DD - the co-owners of the historic Timberlake Tavern. Etta & DD describe what its like running an event venue, their journey to becoming business owners, and how the Timberlake Tavern continues to serve guests today. Listen in and hear their story!
What is the Timberlake Tavern?
When Edley Craighill and Fred Showalter conceived of Timber Lake in 1926 as a summer colony for residents of the Lynchburg area, a club site and beach was proposed. The lake was not yet completely formed. Yet over the next two years as the lake filled and the winding lake side drive was completed, 80 lots were sold and about 20 summer homes built.
By May of 1929, the work was nearly complete on a tavern, the Club beach, and a nine-hole golf course with the final hole located on high ground above the lake next to the Tavern.
In one short resort season, the Tavern became the social center of Timber Lake for dining, music, and celebrations.
The Tavern was modernized as an event center with apartments in the early 2000s. Current owners and managers, Etta Legner and Tom and DD Gillett, redecorated and upgraded the infrastructure and amenities in 2020.
Timberlake Tavern is both practical and elegant with its symmetrical layout, large dining room and dance floor with dual fireplaces on the first floor and a central staircase that leads to a library, three apartments, and two guest rooms convenient as a bridal suite or restful family retreat space during an event.
Learn more and book your next event at: TheTimberlakeTavern.com
Etta was born and grew up in south central Virginia - Charlotte County - on a small family tobacco farm. She attended Radford college and became a teacher. Her experiences included working with all ages, preschool through community college. She taught in Indiana and California, but mostly in Virginia public and private schools. She was an administrator for the majority of her career. After retirement, she started her own business, Life's Work, where she was a resource for educators and parents offering them a positive way to manage children's behavior.
Following that, an opportunity in her community to own and operate a historic venue, Timberlake Tavern, became available. In 2020, during the pandemic, she along with another community couple, began operating the event venue which also has several Airbnb spaces for rent.
The most exciting and dangerous time of her life was during her teenage years. She dated a stunt pilot and was a willing co-pilot, flying through barns, doing nose dives and loop de loops!
DD grew up in rural Buckingham county. The impressive lessons in her life began in Charlottesville where she began her 37 year nursing career.
Once married to her husband, Tom (of 39 years), she moved to Lynchburg. She and Tom have been a proud part of the Timberlake community for 18 years. In the fall of 2020, she and Tom teamed up with their neighbor and dear friend, Etta, and purchased the Timberlake Tavern.
Unlike Etta, the most adventurous stunt she ever tried was playing on active railroad tracks---she says Buckingham is VERY rural.
