Frequently, the Hornsby House plays host to groups of people who have come together for a few days with a distinct purpose – to reunite after months or years of being apart, to converse late into the night about their lives or their passions, to escape their everyday lives and come together in a safe haven of nostalgia and comforting surroundings.

Sometimes, the group is made up of siblings. Recently, some sisters stayed at the inn for an entire week. Exploring the historic triangle by day and surveying the wonderful restaurants on River Street at night, the sisters explained that they each lived in a different corner of the country, but that every single year, they came together in a different spot to spend time together and catch up.

Sometimes the group is comprised of old friends. A few months ago, the inn was filled with music from the living room piano every evening for a week. A group of retired music teachers had come to celebrate their friendship and lives in music, which they have done every single year for decades.

Sometimes the group is people who find themselves united by a common cause or passion. The American Friends of Lafayette stayed with us this year, and it was truly a treat to see the appreciation that these guests possessed for history itself and for one of the greatest historical figures of this area (okay, so we may be a bit biased)!

Though they can seem like the busiest times, the holidays provide an opportunity to slow down and reflect on the important things in life. Certainly communion with friends and family is at the top of the essentials list. This task just happens to go perfectly with a cup of tea, a cozy fireplace, and picturesque paths through wide open fields – lucky us!

Who are the people in your life who you need to catch up with? This season, we hope that you get the chance, and if we can play a part in hosting your happy reunion, please give us a call.