Who We Are
The property known today as Belle Grove Plantation, was established in April 1670 as a one-thousand-acre tobacco farm. On March 16, 1751, James Madison, future President and the Father of the Constitution was born in the home of his grandparents, John Moore and Rebecca Catlett Conway Moore.
The mansion that stands today was first constructed in 1791 for France “Fanny” Bernard and William Bernard II by Fanny’s father, John Hipkins of Port Royal. It center section, which still stands today consisted of the Grand Hall, both upstairs and down, one room on each side of the hall, both upstairs and down. This Federal style home is known as a Tidewater style plantation home or a “two over two” style home.
In 1839, Belle Grove was sold to the Turner Family. Carolinus Turner purchased the property and set about creating a home that would help him find a wife. Ten years later, interior and exterior had a completely new look. Porticos were added to the front and back. Extensions were added to the north and south wings. The architecture was converted to a Greek Revival style home, which can be seen today. Heart of pine floors and “six over six” lead pane windows completed the new look.
Over the years, Belle Grove Plantation would see many owners come and go. After the Turners left in 1894, the Thorton Family would call her home. In 1906, Captain John Fremont Jack would purchase Belle Grove as a place to experiment with his idea of growing alfalfa in Virginia to replenish the depleted soil. In 1916, Belle Grove would be purchase as a partnership of Otto Brandt and William Allen as a dairy farm. After the partnership ended just two years later, William Allen would purchase the half share and hold Belle Grove until 1930. In 1930, the Hooker Family would purchase Belle Grove as a Summer Vacation home and would move in permanently after retiring. Mr. Hooker would pass away in 1974 and Mrs. Hooker would follow in 1981.
In 1987, the Haas Family from Vienna, Austria would purchase Belle Grove. By the time the Haas Family arrived, Belle Grove had fallen into disrepair. Most of the rooms had been damaged by leaks in the roof and the weight of the roof, which were blue shingles were crushing the house. The restoration started in 1997 and would be completed in 2003. The cost of restoration was $3.5 million.
During the restoration, the exterior was removed and numbered. Steel beams were placed in the basement with the floor joist to support the home. Steel beams were added to support walls to ensure the home would stand for another 200 years. Once the exterior was completed, the interior was started. Just as the exterior, the interior was dismantled and numbered. After replacing the original woodwork, a new coat of plaster was added.
The entire restoration process was done under the watchful eye of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Techniques used, such as tuck work for the old bricks, were specialized as to not damage the original brick and woodwork.
After the restoration was completed, Belle Grove Plantation stood empty until 2011. On July 12, 2011, Brett and Michelle Darnell walked into the home at Belle Grove Plantation. Desiring to open it as a luxury bed and breakfast as well as a historic site and special event venue, Brett and Michelle spent the next year and half preparing for the biggest adventure of their lives. Leasing the property from the Haas Family in August 2012, Brett and Michelle spent the next year making minor repairs, running and repairing systems and purchasing the endless furniture and décor for Belle Grove. Michelle would spend thousands of hours researching and uncovering the lost history of Belle Grove Plantation. Brett and Michelle opened the door of Belle Grove Plantation to the public on August 1, 2013.
Since opening, Brett and Michelle have worked to preserve, restore, improve, maintain and educate others about Belle Grove and its long history. From working with master gardeners to reshape the grounds to working with archeologists to uncover artifacts that tell the story of its history, their goal is to bring Belle Grove and its history back to the world.
Brett is co-owner of Darnell Hospitality, LLC along with his wife Michelle. Together, they have operated Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast since August 2013. Brett grew up in Ohio and served in the U.S. Navy for nearly 21 years as a Fleet Marine Force and Submarine Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and a Master’s in Public Health Preparedness. Brett still works full-time with Battelle Memorial Institute, where he serves as a Manager in a Public Health Improvement and Response resource group. Brett shares his wife’s love of history and especially historic houses. Their first historic home was an 1885 brick federal style home in the St. Anne’s Hill Historic District in Dayton, Ohio. They did some minor, interior and exterior restoration on the home before they sold it in 1992 to move to Virginia. Their experiences in Dayton have served them well since signing the lease and moving into the historic Belle Grove Plantation. As the first President of the James Madison Belle Grove Foundation, Brett wishes to establish a successful organization that will help to ensure that Belle Grove Plantation and its history are preserved and maintained for generations to come.
Michelle is co-owner with her husband, Brett Darnell of Darnell Hospitality, LLC, better known as Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast. Michelle Michelle was born in South Carolina, but spent most of her early life moving with her family throughout the Southeast. Michelle has served in the United States Marine Corps from 1984 to 1987 as a field radio operator. She owned and operated two small businesses for catering and children’s gaming and toys in the early 2000s. A self taught chef, she served as a Sou Chef at a bistro in Virginia Beach. With her husband, Brett Darnell, she opened Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast on August 1, 2013. Through their efforts, they have created an international business, earning many accolades. Michelle has served on the Northern Neck Tourism Commission, Board Member of the King George Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the King George Tourism Advisory Committee. She and her husband have two children, Alexa and Tyler. Alexa who is married to Young Kim have their first grandchild, Lyla.
Donna Bragg made her home in King George County in May 2009. She previously resided in Bryantown, MD for 25 years, where she raised her two children with husband, Denny Bragg. Donna worked in the jewelry industry for 16+ years. She is the owner of Donna’s Bountiful Treasures, a business in antiques and home décor, which she started in 2016. Upon her husband’s retirement, he joined her as a buyer and assists with the day-to-day operations. Donna previously owned Cottontail Crafts which specialized in homemade items, such as dolls, animals and home decorations. She comes with a variety of experiences such as catering service and substitute teaching in the Charles County, MD school system, but also included special needs instruction in a private home setting. Donna graduated in 2000 from Charles County Community College with a degree in Paralegal Studies with a 3.8 GPA. Her primary focus, however, was raising their children and attending school functions and sports events. She has volunteered with many organizations, fundraising for the local sports organization and has enjoyed both learning from each and sharing her knowledge. She stays busy with her church family, and volunteers at Belle Grove Plantation whenever she is needed as well as keeping stock up in her multiple business venues. She has five amazing Granddaughters, which she and Denny travel to see often, and FaceTime regularly.
Denny is a local resident of King George County relocating in 2009 from Bryantown, MD where he and his wife Donna resided for over 25 years raising their two children who graduated from LaPlata High school. In 2018 he retired from Verizon Communications after 38 years as a National Senior Network Operations Manager maintaining the customer and Verizon network communications infrastructure. His telephony career had Denny hold many positions as a Lineman, Splicer, Construction Supervisor, Engineer, Service and Maintenance Manager taking on many other leadership roles receiving multiple awards. Prior work experience was in the housing and commercial construction industry. Denny’s volunteer history always led to leadership roles as President of Hughesville Little League, Camp WAMAVA president (Christian youth camp), church trustee (president), coaching Little League and Select league baseball and serving his church family. Currently he works with his wife Donna as a buyer and enhancer for her antique business while remotely keeping up with their 5 granddaughters, traveling out west to visit often.
Candi Schultz was born in Alabama but grew up in Loudoun County. Moved to Fredericksburg in 2015 and has become an active member of the VFW and American Legion. Started her own baking business in 2015 and a holistic healing business in 2021. Ancestral research uncovered that Candi’s distant relative not only lived in the area, but was friends with James Madison’s father.
Rick Schultz was born in Maryland at the Naval Base, but grew up in Falls Church, Virginia. Father was Navy, so only likely thing to do was become a Marine. Served one term, was in Vietnam and came back home to eventually start his own business servicing and installing automotive shop equipment. Currently resides in Fredericksburg and is a lifetime member of the VFW and acting member of the American Legion, where he is giving back to those who served.
Kim is currently working on her second career in the healthcare industry. Utilizing the change that came with the pandemic to her advantage, she continues her studies of becoming an RN while working as a patient technician in a local Richmond hospital. Kim’s empathetic approach enables memorable relationships with her patients. In her pursuit of helping others, Kim is also the founder of Sacred Sage Healing. Focused on a holistic approach to healing and teaching others how to go within spiritually. In her down time Kim enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and volunteering her time and talents for various organizations including Belle Grove Plantation at Port Conway. Being a part of the committee enables Kim to give back to the plantation by ensuring the home continues to grow and thrive for all to enjoy!
Rhonda Doughty is a certified Project Manager and Business Analyst for a Fortune 500 Company. She is known for her ability to bring order to the chaos of large complex projects and business processes. Currently, she works mostly on Information Governance and IT Compliance related projects. In her spare time, Rhonda enjoys studying Reiki, Shamanism, and all things spiritual. She also enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, paranormal investigating and volunteering anywhere she can help, including Belle Grove Plantation. Rhonda believes you should always do three things: Give back where you can, always be grateful and strive to learn something new each day. Currently, she resides in Henrico County, Virginia just north of the City of Richmond.
Kim was born in San Diego, California and moved with her parents to Virginia when she was 4 years old. She graduated from Colonial Forge High School in Stafford and graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg in 2007. With an interest in history and a love of information, she worked at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters in Fredericksburg before gaining employment as a library technician at Headquarters Marine Corps in 2008, later transitioning into roles of digital archivist, imagery management specialist and metadata editor within the organization. After visiting Belle Grove Plantation on a number of occasions, Kim began working with Belle Grove in January 2019 as Curator of Historical Research and Archeological Collections. Her pastimes are playing piano, conducting paranormal research, visiting historic locations and metal detecting. She lives in Caroline County with her dog Gromit and cat Charlie.