Historic Country Inns
of Lexington
Bed and Breakfast and Restaurant

In 1969, a lovely old home on the corner of Main and Washington was about to be torn down to settle an estate. The property would become a parking lot. However, a group of caring citizens decided the house should be saved and the result was the formation of the Historic Lexington Foundation. This group gathered enough money from the citizens of Lexington to buy and restore the exterior or what is know as the Alexander-Withrow House. Originally built in 1789 by William Alexander, this lovely later Georgian-style townhouse was his family residence and his store. After years of being at times a store, a bank, and a school, it was completely restored and is now a country inn.

Mr. & Mrs. Carlson Thomas bought the house from this Historic Lexington Foundation, restored the interior, and opened an Inn. In 1978, the Peter Meredith Family of Norfolk bought the inn. Their love for Lexington developed over the years, as Peter Meredith, Sr., Peter Jr., and Richard are all V.M.I. Civil Engineering Graduates. This was their first Inn venture and would become the first Inn of the Historic Country Inns.

The Alexander-Withrow House is one of the oldest buildings in town. The home was very elegant with diapering in the brick work and four corner chimneys giving a corner fireplace to each room. When Main Street was lowered in 1850, the basement was exposed and was used for various commercial ventures. Today the Inn offers six suites each unique and offering all the modern comforts. Suite #6 even offers a whirlpool.

In 1809, John McCampbell built a home on Main Street, and it is now the center section of McCampbell Inn. Sections at either end were added in 1816 and 1857. Many businesses used the building until 1907, when it became the Central Hotel. This was the last business along with the restaurant known as the "Liquid Lunch". Now the gracious McCampbell Inn offers guests the choice of 14 individual rooms and two suites. Each is carefully furnished and includes wet bars and all modern conveniences. This is a far cry from the Central Hotel, which had a separate building to house baths and toilets.