HISTORIC RIVERVIEW ON THE JAMES
“The day was perfect with the stunning views at HRoJ acting as the perfect backdrop to the most glorious wedding ceremony and reception. Numerous guests told me that it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever attended.”
Laura Craddock
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Secluded treasure 10 minutes from downtown Lynchburg
Welcome to Historic Riverview on the James, a wedding and special events venue in Central Virginia. This piece of paradise along the James River, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from downtown Lynchburg. We're the only venue that can provide a pastural setting away from the city lights while only a blink of an eye from downtown Lynchburg's bustling restaurant, hotel, and art scene. Guests will love the convenience of being only 15 minutes from the airport, Liberty University, Randolph College, Sweet Briar College, and the University of Lynchburg.
At Historic Riverview on the James, we guarantee an event unlike any other with multiple site locations to choose from. The history and nostalgia of the century farm house and grounds is sure to leave you breathless....
At Historic Riverview on the James, we’ll make sure the vision for your special event becomes a reality and goes off without a glitch. Our venue offers everything you need to create the stunning occasion you and your guests will always remember. We’ve been making celebrations our business since 2011, and can’t wait to work with you.
HISTORY
Established in 1873
This land was first patented in 1742 by Pocahontas’ great great grandson. Historic Riverview was part of a large plantation on both sides of the James River. Historic Riverview remains the center of a family farm operation and four generations of the same family have lived on this Century Farm.
Two buildings were built by 1845 of bricks handmade from the farm’s red clay. One building in particular, the Brick Barn seems to whisper the tales of our ancestors. These building still remain, as does the history, the beauty, the possibility and allure of Historic Riverview on the James.
The historic character of Historic Riverview on the James is influenced by the two Virginia Historic Landmarks, also on the National Register, situated on the adjoining family farm. Traversing the rolling James River is Six Mile Bridge. Above it, on the crest of a hill, sits a Civil War redoubt, Fort Riverview, built to protect the surrounding area. These two landmarks sit undisturbed in their natural setting as the seasons change through the year.
Riverview House, built in 1873, is a large Georgian style clapboard building exuding southern comfort and charm. This beautiful home overlooks the James River, and from its upper story “widow’s walk” family could observe and wave to busy river traffic during the Kanawha Canal days of the mid-1800s.
HRoJ had the openness to let our creativity flow but also the organization to make sure every piece was where it needed to be to make our vision happen. Thank you HRoJ for making our wedding run smoothly and giving us a beautiful day we’ll never forget!
Grace and Dylan Children
AT YOUR SERVICE
PREMIER VENUE LOCATIONS
Surrounded by some of the Piedmont’s most lovely attributes, Historic Riverview is waiting to host you and your guests. Our staff is experienced, accommodating, supportive and open to your ideas and creativity. We will be honored to work along side you to make your celebration or ceremony remarkable.
Included with all event locations:
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Exclusive use of the property, to include kitchen for catering and restrooms for guests.
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All necessary rentals to include appropriately sized tent, tables, chairs, dance floor and linens. Couples allowed access to venue decorations inventory.
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Expansive bridal changing suite and detached changing quarters.
HISTORIC RIVERVIEW HOUSE AND GROUNDS
The large lawn area can be arranged intimately or expansively as you desire. This venue includes the use of a welcoming gazebo centered in the lawn and tent. The location and size of the gazebo make it perfect for an impressive ceremony, or maybe to show off a wedding cake, host a talented group of musicians, become a stage for dancing, or other creative ideas you may want to highlight. The Riverview Lawn will accommodate up to 400 guests. The Gazebo will accommodate a much smaller party and is an excellent centerpiece for your ceremony.
CORN CRIB
Breathtaking views of pasture, iconic brick barn, and stunning sunsets, all within the comfort of our spacious corn crib.
The covered bays are able to accommodate parties of 150+ guests comfortably, tastefully adorned with bulb string lighting. When using this location, take advantage of the vast yard space to entertain guests with games or dancing under the stars. Not only is this a fabulous space to host your wedding, but it suits perfectly for a vintage/rustic ceremony backdrop, comfortable and charming rehearsal dinner, or graduation party.
JAMES RIVER SITE
Exclusive access to the James River allows a most comfortable and inviting ceremony location. A canopy of trees over guests creates the most beautiful setting to celebrate your marriage.
Just below Historic Riverview house extends a large field stretching right to the banks of the James River. Weather permitting, your party can “go down to the rivah” for a lovely setting for your ceremony and/or reception. 300 or more guests can enjoy the soothing sounds of the James River at the Riverside venue location. This unique site can be viewed from the Riverview Lawn making it possible for guests who wish to relax and view this setting from the lawn also to feel included.
FIREPLACE AND GRILL
At the bottom of the gently sloping lawn lies an inviting fireplace and terrace perched in the lawn overlooking the James. The fireplace was built in the 1950s from “riverjacks” or stones found on the property and made smooth by the waters of the James. The fireplace was originally used for family barbeques and has been updated with a top-of-the-line grill. Relax on the terrace, enjoy a cocktail and take in the views as you dine on grilled delights by the fire. Watch the moon rise over the James when the sun sets or see the stars come out to sparkle on your special evening. Morning events capture the sun making the James sparkle silver and the fields below new and fresh from the morning sun. Your day/event will be unique, original, and beautiful as nature is always showing off her beauty here.
Whether you like mountains, the river, the fields, or the barns, or history, it’s all there. We truly had the time of our lives with amazing people and an amazing venue.
Courtney and Jacob Bumgarner
CONTACT US
The (property owners) worked together like a well-oiled machine to create a wonderful event that went flawlessly. Only five minutes from downtown, the location was extremely convenient for our guests. The wedding took place outside on a sunny day with the James River below and Mt. Athos in the distance. The property is ideally suited for an event like a wedding with the main house, various outbuildings, a gazebo and a firepit which can all be incorporated into the wedding activities. They were helpful in the weeks leading up to the wedding and worked with the various vendors who set up the large tent and provided food and music. Their on-site wedding planner worked with us throughout the process to organize the day’s events and seemed to be everywhere at once that evening to make sure things went without a hitch. I would highly recommend Historic Riverview on the James for anyone planning a wedding or other event in the Lynchburg area.
Heidi Lang
I photographed a wedding here recently. The on-site coordinator was so helpful, encouraging, and worked so hard to make sure the Bride and Groom got the very best experience, even with the bad weather. I was really impressed by the upkeep of the grounds, the helpfulness of the staff, etc!
Ashley Eiban
It’s hard to find the words to adequately thank you for all that you’ve done for us in the past year and especially the week of the wedding. Though I knew it was going to be a pleasure to work with you on the wedding, as we got closer and closer to the date, I can’t tell you how many times I said: “Thank GOD Sarah is helping us!” I really don’t know what we would have done without you and, really, I’m afraid to think about the fact that that was a possibility! You have a true talent for what you do and I don’t know how we got so lucky to work with you from the start.
We are beyond pleased with how the wedding turned out and there’s nothing that we would have done differently. In the weeks to follow, every single guest from the wedding who we have seen or spoken with has wanted to talk to us about how beautiful the entire day was and how much they enjoyed it. Several people have said that they had never gone to a “perfect wedding” before and nearly everyone has commented on how wonderfully “us” the day was, which fills us with joy. What they likely don’t fully realize is how invested you, Jane, and the entire HRoJ staff were in helping us do that. It brings tears to our eyes to think about how much love and hard work were put into making our day so genuinely special.
Laura and Rob Richards
Can’t say enough good things about the staff & facilities @ this wonderful venue!! The buildings & grounds are immaculate & the staff is thoroughly professional in every way. Unending thanks to the Historic Riverview team for their precise & thorough attention to every detail. Your expertise made for a wedding of elegance & beauty that surpassed even our expectations!! We never could have done it w/out you all. You’re absolutely the BEST!!!