The Estate at Meander celebrated its 300th birthday Friday with an IPO of its very own–a new wine from DuCard Vineyards.
DuCard owner Scott Elliff made the joke during his reveal of, “The Reverend,” a new wine symbolizing a collaboration between the vineyard and the estate honoring the property’s former owner and builder the Rev. Henry Fry. Friday marked the beginning of Elon Musk’s initial public offering (IPO) for SpaceX, leading Elliff to state it was also the estate’s IPO–initial pouring opportunity of its new wine.
New Meander owners Eric and Kimberley Watson also paid homage to the estate’s history. The Watsons purchased Meander last month through Kaydence Hospitality and have begun a long-term restoration to transform the property into a luxury wellness and experiential hospitality destination. They plan to restore the existing manor house and cottages, add riverfront cabins, reimagine the culinary program with a focus on farm-to-fork with regional producers, expand the gardens, trails and other outdoor spaces, offer events and retreats and introduce a new spa which is poised to become the state’s first authentic outdoor thermal spa. The latter is on schedule to open in the fall.
With the focus on restoration and new offerings, the Watsons plan to continue the heritage that has shaped Meander for the past 300 years. The estate was patented in 1726 by royal grant from King George I and was stewarded by Colonel Joshua Fry. In addition to being a military leader, Fry was a mentor to Thomas Jefferson’s father, Peter Jefferson. It’s said after Fry passed en route to battle during the French and Indian War, second in command George Washington camped at Meander for nearly a month. The Rev. Fry, son of the colonel, took over the property, constructed the manor house and renamed it Elim, where he hosted Methodist gatherings. Elim also hosted a variety of statesmen and was witness to the Civil War, particularly the battle of Cedar Mountain. After the Fry family, the estate passed to the Lightfoots and later the Shearer sisters.
“The history here is not loud, not boastful,” Eric Watson said. “It’s deeply woven into the history of this country and that’s what attracted us to it. The story is one of stewardship, human history and grit. We’re humbled to become the new stewards in a long line.”
Watson said he and his wife have a responsibility to ensure Meander is preserved and they hope to honor its history, restore its buildings and grounds and create a place where people can reconnect.
“We want it to remain a place of belonging where history is preserved,” he said.
Garnett Dunford Hamermann, the sixth generation great-granddaughter of Joshua Fry, shared memories of Meander from her great-grandmother Lucy Elizabeth Garnett Lightfoot and her grandmother Mary Lightfoot Dunford during their time living at the home. Hamermann shared the first-person account from her grandmother who sold the home after her husband died. The account told the tales of a childhood spent on the property, the employees and neighbors. Hamermann said she too is hoping the history and memories of Meander are preserved.
