A dot on the map, halfway between two cities

Hidden Valley Farm has been a source of great happiness for our family for nearly fifty years. Here's how it came to be — and why we wanted to share it.

In 1978, two families — close friends in Washington, DC — bought this farm together. When one of them moved to Pittsburgh, the two families spread a map across the table and dropped a pin exactly halfway between the cities, in a spot ringed by national forest and state parks. They rented nearby for a few years until they found this property — and with seven children between them, they've been coming back ever since.

Those seven kids have since scattered all over the country. When the family elders could no longer care for the place, the two of us — sisters from one of those families — bought it, renovated it from top to bottom, and worked with local friends to open it up for guests. That way the whole family can keep coming back, and we get to share the valley we love with you.

Still a family home

The house still feels like a family home, because it is one. The walls are hung with paintings handed down through our family alongside work and photography by local West Virginia artists, so every room has its own character and a bit of a story. On the mantel are two photos of all seven children — one on the front steps in DC, and one at Sarah's wedding in 2004.

We hope you love it here as much as we do.

— Kate & Sarah