About The Truitt House
“The architecture...the symmetry…the craftsmanship…the detailing…the history of the house - we had to say yes.”
— Kristy McCormally
Brian and Kristy McCormally purchased the Truitt House in September 2022. A practicing lawyer and retired entrepreneur, they were both settled and planning to remain in Northern Virginia at the time the Truitt House went up for sale. Both Brian and Kristy enjoyed historic properties and decided to check out the estate. Within moments of entering the neoclassical, Greek Revival mansion, they were drawn in and enchanted by both the history and potential of the Truitt House - from the rare curly pine in the library to the carriage house in the backyard that was virtually unchanged since the turn of the last century. The decision to acquire the property was an easy one, and they’ve since been devoted to learning everything they can about its history, restoring and renovating the structures that had fallen into disrepair, creating an exterior oasis of gardens, and koi pond, and becoming vital members of the historic Suffolk community.
Now, less than a year after the McCormallys moved in, a visit to the Truitt House will involve a tour of lush gardens and an on-site greenhouse that Brian uses to cultivate the home’s indoor and outdoor greenery and floral arrangements, as well as a flourishing koi pond. The first floor is filled with tangible reminders of what the home used to be, with original paintings that are in the process of being restored, hardwood floors refinished by hand, original mahogany doors throughout, nine fireplaces, and many of the original light fixtures back to working order. The main level features 14-foot ceilings and Palladian windows that flood the rooms with natural light and the home is now filled with meaningful tastes of the hospitality that embodies the McCormally’s lifestyle. Kristy and Brian love to regale visitors with anecdotes about the history of the home painstakingly gathered from old publications, newspaper clippings, and eyewitness accounts told by friends and guests of the mansion’s previous owners.
Considering themselves to be stewards of the Truitt House and its legacy, the McCormallys have many exciting plans to revitalize hospitality within its walls, including supper clubs, holiday tours, and endless opportunities to host people and send them off happy, fed, celebrated, and comforted. It is abundantly evident to everyone who steps foot in the Truitt House today that the McCormallys are carrying on the spirit of the house and the rich history of all its inhabitants and visitors going back to when it was built in 1909, while still ushering it into a new era where it will continue to delight and remain an historical landmark in downtown Suffolk.
History
The Truitt House was built in 1909 by George Truitt. Originally from Delaware, he moved to Suffolk, Virginia after the war with plans to build his own personal home right near the train station. He was a lumber magnate and collected unique species of wood for the home for more than two decades, much of which is still on display today. From quarter-sawn white oak flooring and paneling to the nearly extinct curly pine in the library, Mr. Truitt created a home full of unique and beautiful craftsmanship. The home was built on a foundation of Italian marble, and Mr. Truitt incorporated marble pathways throughout, as well as a carved marble front door entrance and vestibule. Inside the mansion, Mr. Truitt caused to be built the longest suspended staircase in residence in Virginia even to this day, and commissioned a prominent Italian artist to paint Virginia landscapes on canvas that are still on display. After his passing, the house was acquired by the Frasier family and was later acquired by the Crumpler family, who turned it into a central gathering place in the Suffolk community and surrounding areas.
At the time, Suffolk contained a thriving and widely diverse population, with locals frequenting storied hot spots like The Busy Bee Hotel and Restaurant, The Crystal, and The Elk’s Club for dancing on Saturday nights. The Truitt House was the scene of many glittering parties and memorable events. Tales are told to this day of opulent cocktail parties with string instruments playing up in the balcony, dance practice for the yearly hospital ball hosted in the 3rd story ballroom, and even a party attended by Elizabeth Taylor herself. The home has been kept and maintained through the years as the town of Suffolk has changed and adjusted, remaining a meaningful slice of the town’s rich history and a beautiful reminder of the impact that well-executed preservation can have on a local community.
Now owned and resided in by the McCormally family, the Truitt House continues on as a significant landmark, with thoughtful and respectful updates being made to its gardens, carriage house, and interior that are all deeply reminiscent of days gone by. The 8,500 sq-ft masterpiece remains a hidden gem selflessly guarding its place of prominence just off Main Street and restored to its former glory by noted architect Seth Ballard of Ballard+Mensua Architecture…with nothing to equal its classic scale anywhere in Virginia. Gatherings are still hosted there, with the promise that there are still many memorable parties and events yet to be experienced within its lovely walls. Marrying history with something new that can be used and enjoyed is never an easy task, but the Truitt House is a testament to the importance of sustainable historic preservation and an ode to the elegance that the town of Suffolk continues to embody.
“I remember going to so many fabulous parties at the Truitt House. Once they hosted a symphony party, with string instruments up in the balcony.”
- Member of the Suffolk Historical Society
