Well, the story of “The Farmhouse on 40” actually begins in the summer of 1949 when a Linsly cadet named Ron met a beautiful girl named Georgia (from Wellsburg, WV) at Hi-Y Camp. They married on June 9th 1954 at the Cadet Chapel of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the same week that Ron graduated as part of the Long Gray Line and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Armed Services.
That began an Army career that took Ron and his family to various duty assignments across the nation and the globe including deployments for Ron to Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. During that time Ron and Georgia had four children- two girls and two boys: Debra, Diane, Ronald Jr. and Christopher.
In 1975, Ron retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years of service to his country. At that time, it was decided that the family would return “home” to the Ohio Valley for their “second season.” This is where the farmhouse comes in. After living in suburban northern Virginia during his final assignment at the Pentagon, Ron and Georgia went house hunting in Ohio. Out on rural Route 40 (long before Jamboree in the Hills was there) they found a 6 bedroom farmhouse sitting on 17 acres that was for sale.
The old farmhouse was in need of some tender loving care and still had a coal furnace for heat, the large porcelain kitchen sink with three spigots (one for the cistern) and dark paint in every room. When Deb (who was 18 at the time) first saw the house our parents planned to buy, she took one look inside and ran out in a flurry of teenage tears. But Ron and Georgia purchased “the Farm” anyway and were thrilled to own their own home (and 17 acres of land) for the first time in their married lives.
Over the next 35 years, Georgia carefully and lovingly updated and decorated the house. The four children grew up and married and had children until Ron and Georgia became grandparents to an even dozen of grandchildren: six boys and six girls. Across those years to now- that old farmhouse on 40 has become a special place that draws each of us there for the same reason: the unconditional love we received there.
You see, Ron and Georgia loved each child and each grandchild uniquely. And their door was always open… not only to family… but also to friends who inevitably felt as if they were family. During long talks at Grandma’s kitchen table or with Grandpap on the front porch swing, many life stories and life lessons were shared and learned. And always when you left there with a hug or a kiss on the top of the head… you knew … you were dearly loved.
Since Ron and Georgia have passed, it was necessary to determine what to do with the beloved farmhouse that was witness to so many great times, laughter, and love. We knew we needed to keep it as a place to invite others in. We decided to create The Farmhouse on 40 as a unique shopping experience within the same warm, welcoming, comfy, environment that it has always been.
The new and vintage home and gift items that we offer reflect the quality and range of my mother’s excellent taste. They also reflect the talents and interests of the children and grandchildren who continue the Salvador family legacy as Army officers, educators, engineers, writers, musicians, managers, and those who love to… dance.
So, if you stop to visit The Farmhouse on 40 to shop (and we hope you do), you can also sit-a-spell on the front porch, have a cup of coffee, or play a game on the front lawn with your family and enjoy the same sweet place that has nurtured our “famiglia” for the past 45 years. Welcome to The Farmhouse on 40! Come on in!
-Noni Salvador Hutchison