A Boutique Historic Virginia Hotel with a Story to Tell
Stay Once, Memories Forever
Welcome to The Inn at Blackstone, an independent boutique hotel located in the heart of historic downtown Blackstone, Virginia. Once home to the storied Blackstone College for Girls, our beautifully restored property blends historic architecture with modern comfort to create a truly unique experience for today’s travelers.
Just a few miles from U.S. Route 460 and minutes from Fort Pickett, The Inn offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by local dining, shopping, and small-town charm. Whether you’re visiting for business, a wedding, or a weekend getaway, you’ll find a perfect balance of Southern hospitality and modern convenience at our historic Virginia hotel.
A Historic Legacy: The Blackstone College for Girls
Our grand building first opened its doors in 1894 as Blackstone Female Institute, welcoming 71 students to a finishing school for young women in grades 8–12. By the 1920s, the campus had become the beloved Blackstone College for Girls, known across the South for its elegance, academic excellence, and social prominence.
The original campus attracted students from neighboring states and educated remarkable women including actress Bea Arthur and Nicaraguan president Violeta Chamorro. The current classical revival brick building, completed after the 1922 fire, remains a proud architectural treasure and an enduring symbol of Virginia’s historic charm.
Wartime Service and Fort Pickett
During World War II, nearby Fort Pickett brought an influx of thousands of servicemen to the area. The college temporarily closed its doors, converting its dormitories to housing for soldiers and their families.
Two weeks after Victory over Japan Day, the college reopened, this time welcoming both women and men. Yet with the reactivation of Fort Pickett during the Korean War and declining enrollment, the college closed its doors as an educational institute in 1950 after its final commencement ceremony.
From Retreat to Renewal: The Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center
The building found new life in 1955 when it reopened as the Virginia United Methodist Retreat & Conference Center, welcoming guests from across the region for six decades of reflection, learning, and community.
After a small fire in 2016, the property was left vacant, but not forgotten. Its graceful halls and timeless architecture waited patiently for renewal.
A Dream Restored
In 2022, Kalyan Hospitality reopened the doors of this grand building as The Inn at Blackstone, a fully restored historic boutique hotel that honors the past while embracing the future.
Today, our independent hotel welcomes guests for weddings, corporate retreats, training events, and leisure stays. What was once a center of education and wartime service has become a place of celebration and connection where history meets hospitality in the heart of Virginia.
We invite you to explore, stay, and make your own memories in this extraordinary destination.