OPENING FOR HISTORY: South Boston home marks 130 years with open house fundraiser

A South Boston home will celebrate 130 years Saturday with a fundraiser for Halifax Dog Squad.

Entering through the front access of what's known as the Noblin House at 1002 Washington Ave., one will notice the ball and chain lock on the gate, reminiscent of the old Williamsburg gateways in days of yore.

It's one of the personal touches added by Joyce Willis, the owner of her stately home — known as YaYa's Castle by her two granddaughters, Ann Katherine Tyler and Emma Bramlett Saunders.

The Noblin House, built in 1893, for Robert R. and Isabelle Julie Wood Noblin, was designed in the style of classic Queen Anne Victorian.

It's a well-maintained frame home with a wrap-around porch delightfully decorated with period furnishings of wicker and iron furniture.

A tower stands to right of the front entry, giving a feeling of Rapunzel and long braided locks falling from the window. At this point, a visitor is stepping back in time 130 years ago.

"I instantly fell in love with the house because it reminded me of my grandmother's house," Willis said.

Her love of her home is evident by the touches she has added. Her eclectic flair would be hard to match.

The house was built by M.D. Blanton, with craftsmen, Jerry Walker, doing most of the carpentry work.

Noblin made his fortune as a lawyer and in tobacco. He was a partner in the firm Noblin, Hudson & Lovelace Attorneys at Law, was the owner of the Star Warehouse in South Boston and served in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Eventually Robert Noblin was elected to the Virginia State Senate, but would die before his first term began. Robert Noblin was known to have a deep love of children and having them around him. Legend has it that he often told the youngsters that there was an elephant in the attic wearing roller skates and would — rightly so — ensure giggles from his tiny charges.

The house remained in the Noblin family until 1977, when it was purchased by Phillip Cary and Candace Shelton.

In 1986, Willis bought the old home where she raised her five children.

The interior of the old home is decorated with old world charm and a touch of uptown funk whimsy that only Willis could pull off.

The parlor to the right coming through the front door — complete with pocket doors — is sponge-painted in a cool, teal color.

"You can see there is where I began to get tired," Willis said, pointing to an area of the ceiling. She had sponge-painted the entire room by herself.

Willis — a woman full of energy — began her college journey at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg but transferred from there when her mother said she wasn't applying herself.

"Back then we didn't question our mother's, we just did what we were told," she said.

From there she went on to graduate from Brenau University. She later earned her a doctorate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Willis, who also owns a small consignment shop in the town of Halifax, has opened her home on more than one occasion for the public to enjoy.

She has hosted weddings and had garden club tours. There also have been Halifax County Cancer Society events and even a progressive dinner for The Prizery.

This year, The Halifax Dog Squad and Willis are inviting the public to join them from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday for a wine and cheese gathering. Tickets are still available and may be purchased from Halifax Dog Squad members or at Hite Insurance in Halifax with a $25 donation.