The History of Bend of Ivy
The visionary’s and founders of Bend of Ivy Lodge (BOI) were Walker and Doug Silsbee. They restored a Marshall family working farm, and created a retreat center, restored lodge and campus in 1996.
Walker was the visionary artist. Doug, a well-regarded author, thought leader and leadership coach. Their work part of the energy surrounding Bend of Ivy’s development.
Doug founded Presence-Based Coaching (PBC) while traveling the world as a leadership coach, and co-creating and stewarding Bend of Ivy Lodge. It was a beautiful alchemy. Doug held his coaching training programs, PBC, at BOI. He wrote 4 books, including his last seminal book Presence-Based Leadership at BOI. His work and energy continues with deep wonderful synergy at Bend of Ivy.
In pre-1996 roots, before Silsbee's purchase, Bend of Ivy was a working farm for many years owned by George and Lucy Green and their six children. They lived in an old log cabin on the land that was moved and rebuilt at BOI in the 1940’s. Remnants were saved from that home's stone chimney, and now create the stone seat bench at the Rockery Pond. A plaque is located at the bench honoring the Green family.
The Lodge barn was built in 1950; the concrete block Farmhouse in 1954. Tobacco was the financial mainstay, as with most farms in the mountains. There were cows, pigs, chickens, a potato field, a garden where the Pavilion stands now, and tobacco in the bottomland.
Doug and Walker Silsbee bought the farm in 1996 from George and Lucy’s heirs. Walking the land on the day they closed, they stepped into the old barn and were inspired by visions of what it would become. Over 35 people contributed to a nine-month renovation.
The Lodge itself is a symbol for transformation and renewal, and a reminder that in all of us is the possibility of evolving.
There was a corn crib (now the Boathouse) and several other sheds, now gone.
At the confluence of the their creek and the Ivy River, Native American pottery shards, arrowheads and other artifacts were found, indicating a probable Cherokee settlement.
Doug and Walker Silsbee bought the farm in 1996 from George and Lucy’s heirs. Walking the land on the day they closed, they stepped into the old barn and were inspired by visions of what it would become. Over 35 people contributed to a nine-month renovation. The Lodge itself is a symbol for transformation and renewal, and a reminder that in all of us is the possibility of evolving.
After learning of the lodge offering in January 2014, Alan and Susan visited Bend of Ivy mid-February meeting the property and Doug and Walker. After many deep and active conversations and explorations, a new stewardship and friendship was created. The lodge sale was finalized and the stewardship torch was passed in July 2014.