Marion, VA: Octagon House Barn Complex Conceptual Design

The Abijah Thomas House is an octagon house, which was a part of the trend of octagon architecture of 1850s America. The house was completed in 1858 for Abijah Thomas of Smyth County, who was a property, slave owner, and owner of Holston Woolen Mills and a pig iron furnace also in the Smyth County area. The house and property around it consisted of 400 acres and was assessed at being worth $5,000 in 1857.

The Octagon House and its restored period-specific surrounding landscape has the potential to be a major historical attraction in the region. With the surrounding structures carefully considered in the design, the entire property has the ability to become a destination for day visitors, hikers from the nearby Appalachian Trail, and history enthusiasts. The current property and adjacent properties (to be acquired in the future) contain large open areas as well as dense hardwood forest. In a recently completed site master plan, supporting structures are located in approximate historical locations. These include two barn structures that flank the center axis of the Octagon House. This barn complex provides intentional spaces for events and lodging opportunities with a mix between public, semi-public, and private rooms.