My cousin Heather's paternal grandmother (affectionately called Oma) invited us to the Bridesmaids' Luncheon, even though we were not a part of the wedding party. The Luncheon was held at a very fancy and well-known Charlottesville landmark, the Boar's Head Inn. Oma is German, and although she now lives in Frederick, Maryland, she has many stories of her adventures as a military wife and mother. Oma also reads our websites daily and prays for our family diligently. Thus, Mom and I were very excited to attend the Luncheon, where Oma would be the hostess. In fact, ever since we received the invitation, Mom and I dreamed about the Luncheon. We planned our outfits one afternoon while I laid on the porch bed. The anticipation continued and escalated until, finally, last Friday we drove to Charlottesville.
The Luncheon was held in the Tack Room. Mom sat with the mothers, while I was placed at the Grandmothers' table. Our food was very delicious and we were given excellent attention by the waitresses. Our appetizers were tomato, peanut soup. However, upon learning that I was allergic to tomatoes, the Boar's Head Inn chef prepared another soup for me. Now, that is fine service! The main course was a cob salad that had layer upon layer of scrumptious trimmings. As one grandmother commented, "Everytime I put my fork into this salad, I pull out another treasure"! The conversation was very pleasant; I gained much practical insight from the grandmothers.
Below are some pictures of the Bridesmaids' Luncheon. The Boar's Head Inn has an interesting history, which I've also included below. Thank you to Oma for giving Mom and me some joyful memories we could share together.
The heart of Boar's Head Inn was built from the timbers of an abandoned gristmill along the banks of the Hardware River, which dated back to 1834. The relocation of the mill was an opportunity to preserve and transform a treasured Virginia artifact. It had survived burning despite the orders of Generals Grant and Custer during their march through Charlottesville in the Civil War. Indeed, it had continued to operate some 60 years after the war's end. The old mill was carefully dismantled and reconstructed piece by piece at the present site of the Inn. The original fieldstones, heart pine beams and planks, and massive grist stones are now prominently featured throughout the Inn. Today, the heart of the Boar's Head Inn is the Old Mill Room, whose time-worn timbers recall the original mill. Outside, millstones are visible reminders of the building's proud past. Boar's Head Inn was purchased in 1988 by the University of Virginia Foundation.
Boar's Head Inn:
Inside the Boar's Head Inn:
"Oma" Collmus:
Heather Collmus Martin (in the middle) with friends:
Andrew Martin's mother, Missy Martin:
The Grandmothers' Table:
Grandmother Lucile Campbell, Aunt Judy Talbott, and Kathryn:
Mom (Dawn) Campbell:
