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By Kevin Allen
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
The owners of Montpelier have plans that will make the historic mansion south of Sperryville accessible to more people.
Roger and Sophie Scruton want to use the 261-year-old home and the surrounding 175 acres as a conference and events center.
The Rappahannock County Planning Commission talked informally about the Scrutons’ idea on July 18. It was the third consecutive month that the commission addressed informal proposals, which were previously rare submissions at the meetings.
The Montpelier Conference Center proposal does not exactly fit into any of Rappahannock’s zoning categories. Therefore, County Administrator John McCarthy wanted float the idea so Planning Commission members could suggest what kind of materials they would like to see in such an application.
The Scrutons are in England and were unable to attend the meeting on July 18, but Sophie Scruton sent an email to McCarthy outlining their plans.
“Our intention in starting this business is to make Montpelier available to more people than just ourselves, since it is a much-loved historic place,” she wrote. “By doing this, we hope to generate income to help us with the restoration and maintenance costs.”
She envisions wedding receptions and similar functions as well as corporate retreats and creative courses, such as painting or photography lessons.
The Scrutons had already held a few events at Montpelier before McCarthy informed them that they need the county’s permission to do so.
In May, the Rappahannock County Conservation Alliance held its annual fundraiser at Montpelier. It was attended by more than 300 people, but Sophie Scruton said she thinks that number would be the upper limit for attendance at the property.
“I would expect bookings
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