Historic Salubria is an 18th century (ca. 1757) Georgian-style manor house built by the Reverend John Thompson, rector of the Little Fork Church from 1740 to 1772, who married the widow of Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood. The house received the name Salubria , Latin for healthful, from a later owner, James Hansbrough, in the early 1800s and has been known by that name since that time.
Salubria’s exterior is distinguished by unusually tall, corbel capped chimneys, enclosed at each end of a hip roof. The house has identical front and rear facades and is built of brick laid in Flemish bond. Three sides of the house are stuccoed in a manner simulating cut stone, a popular Greek-revival styling update in the 1850s, though for some reason the east end never received this treatment. The interior of the house effuses character hearkening back to another time. Salubria was placed on the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register in 1969 and on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
In October 2000, Laura N. Grayson, widow of J. Gordon Grayson, donated Salubria to the Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies in Virginia. Germanna is honored to be entrusted with the stewardship of this property and the history of which it speaks.
In 2011, Salubria was damaged in the Mineral Earthquake that struck this region of Virginia. The Germanna Foundation, with extraordinary support from members and donors, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, completed earthquake repairs by the end of 2013 and we are continuing our restoration and preservation efforts.
Tour Availability
While Salubria does not have a schedule of regular open hours for public touring, private tours for individuals and groups are available April through October – by appointment only, please. Because of the COVID19 situation, only 6 people in one group of one family unit. Tours of Salubria are $10 per person (children 6 and under are free).
To schedule your tour, please call the Foundation at 540-423-1700 or contact us.
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Patrick Haydon says
Can paranormal investigations be done here?
Germanna says
Hello Patrick, The Germanna Foundation does not allow paranormal investigations at any of our properties.
Patrick Haydon says
Thats ok , there is plenty more places that allow and welcome as such! Some for a fee and some for interest in what the generations of the past have to say! Good day!
Donna Dolan says
My dear friend is doing her genealogy, having traced back to the 18th century. She gave me information about Salubria, which plays into her family’s history. Your web site is informative and with great pictures. And I thank the many volunteers who revere our collective past and save its history for our children and beyond. (I am one of thousands of volunteers who “key” records, of all kinds, into the Latter Day Saints genealogy data base (Ancestors.com).) This allows me to experience excitement everyday when I am exposed to our collective past! Thanks so much. And keep up the important work. Donna Dolan, Kensington Maryland
Ryan says
Hi, is the venue open for photo shoots again?
Germanna says
Hi Ryan, it always been open and we’ve had a ton of photo shoots since we open for the spring in April. We close for the winter season in October.
Megan Shaffer says
Hello. Do you allow photo shoots on the grounds at any time?
Germanna Foundation says
Contact the office to schedule a photo shoot. You can call at 540-423-1700.
Cindy Burbank says
Are well-behaved pets allowed on the grounds during Public Access Days?
Mary M Zashin says
I am wondering of the remains of any slave quarters have been found?
Mary M Zashin says
I am also wondering if any records relating to the sale of slaves from Salubria have been located?