Spotlight ON: Brooklyn Kennedy, General Manager at The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center

Stewards First, Hoteliers Second: How The Blackburn Inn Is Redefining Historic Luxury

Nestled across 80 acres of pristine grounds in Staunton, Virginia, the hidden gem of the Shenandoah Valley, The Blackburn Inn is proof that history and luxury don’t compete. They compound. The property’s main building was designed in the 1820s by Thomas R. Blackburn and shaped by the pioneering care philosophy of Dr. Francis T. Stribling. Through adaptive reuse it has become one of the most distinctive independent hotels in the country, and Historic Hotels of America has named it both Best New Historic Hotel and Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel.

Brooklyn Kennedy, the property’s General Manager, is leading that vision forward. A second building opens in March 2027, a historic chapel is in the works, and she has a clear view of what today’s luxury traveler is actually looking for. We sat down with Kennedy to explore how The Blackburn Inn honors nearly two centuries of heritage while delivering a modern hospitality experience that guests simply can’t find anywhere else.

Preserving History While Delivering Modern Luxury

The Blackburn Inn occupies a historic building dating back to the 1820s, with a remarkable story rooted in the history of mental healthcare. How do you honor the property's heritage while creating a contemporary, welcoming experience for today's luxury traveler?

At The Blackburn, we see ourselves as stewards first and hoteliers second. Our main building, designed in the 1820s by Thomas R. Blackburn, was shaped by Dr. Francis T. Stribling, whose philosophy of care was remarkably ahead of its time. He believed in restoration through beauty, fresh air, meaningful activity, and time spent on the grounds. That spirit of renewal is exactly what we offer guests today. Through careful adaptive reuse, we preserved the original architecture, the soaring windows, the brick, and the proportions that make the building so remarkable, and introduced modern comforts with a light hand so the building's character always leads. Luxury here is not about covering the past. It is about letting guests feel the authenticity of a place with nearly two centuries of stories, while enjoying the thoughtful service and comfort they expect from a world-class hotel. Our recognition from Historic Hotels of America, including Best New Historic Hotel and Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel, affirms that preservation and luxury strengthen each other.

The Power of Place

Set across 80 acres of historic grounds in Staunton, The Blackburn Inn offers guests a distinctive sense of place. How do you leverage the property's history, architecture, and surrounding destination to create an experience that guests can't easily find elsewhere?

Our 80 acres of pristine, historic grounds were designed to restore people, and they still do. Dr. Stribling saw the landscape itself as part of healing, and guests feel that the moment they arrive: rolling lawns, mature trees, and architecture that tells a story at every turn. We extend that sense of place outward into Staunton, the hidden gem of the Shenandoah Valley, connecting guests to the region's wineries, culinary scene, arts, and outdoor experiences. That combination of authentic historic architecture, expansive grounds, and a vibrant small city is simply not something a guest can find in a new-build luxury hotel.

Building a Distinctive Hospitality Concept

From Second Draft Bistro to the spa and conference center, the property brings together multiple hospitality experiences. How do you ensure each element feels connected to the overall identity of the hotel and contributes to a compelling guest experience?

Every experience at The Blackburn should feel like a chapter of the same story. Second Draft Bistro, The Spa at The Blackburn, and our conference center each have their own personality, but they share a common identity rooted in place, craft, and genuine hospitality. Our spa carries forward the restorative philosophy at the heart of the property's history, with wellness retreats built alongside local partners. Our events celebrate the building's past in creative ways, such as our Prohibition-era murder mystery, Slain at The Speakeasy. When every outlet reflects the same values, guests experience one cohesive destination rather than a collection of separate amenities.

Balancing Leisure and Meetings

With 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, The Blackburn Inn serves both leisure travelers and groups. How do you balance the needs of these different audiences while maintaining the atmosphere and service standards of a distinctive historic property?

Our 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space allows us to welcome corporate groups, weddings, and retreats while protecting the calm, residential atmosphere our leisure guests value. Thoughtful space planning, careful scheduling, and a team trained to read the needs of each guest make that balance possible. Groups choose us precisely because The Blackburn is not a conventional conference hotel. They want inspiration, history, and a setting that encourages people to connect. As we grow from 50 to 92 guestrooms in March 2027, that added capacity will let us host larger groups while preserving the intimate experience that defines us.

The Future of Independent Hospitality

As an independent hotel in a historic destination, what opportunities do you see for The Blackburn Inn to differentiate itself in the luxury and experiential travel market, and what lessons have you learned about delivering meaningful hospitality in today's environment?

Independence gives us something larger brands cannot replicate: authenticity and the freedom to make decisions for the long term. The Blackburn has been stewarded by independent ownership committed to preservation rather than short-term returns, and that commitment is guiding our next chapter. In March 2027 we open Blackburn South, our second building, adding 42 guestrooms, and a historic chapel is in the works as our third. Each phase follows the same adaptive reuse philosophy, preserving architecture and history while growing our ability to welcome guests. The biggest lesson I have learned is that today's luxury traveler is looking for meaning. They want to stay somewhere with a story, be cared for by people who know that story, and leave feeling restored. Historic hotels are uniquely positioned to offer exactly that, and our goal is to set the standard for how a historic property can deliver modern luxury without losing its soul.