Established 1885
Banner Elk, NC
Established 1885 | Banner Elk, NC
The Farmhouse is an exceptionally rare, living relic of 19th-century Appalachian heritage.
Book Your Stay
Its historical charm has been thoughtfully preserved while embracing modern luxuries, creating a space that feels less like a rental and more like home.
The Spaces
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Dining & Living
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Master Suite
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View
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Queen Bedroom
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Twin Bedroom
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Luxurious Kitchen
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Screened Patio
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Exterior
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Front Porch
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Farm Porch
Original Owners:
The Whitehead Family
Left to right: George, James, Virginia, wife Jennie, Thomas & Sally, 1880s
The Historic Farmhouse was built in 1885 by James Wilburn Whitehead — a pioneer who arrived in Banner's Elk with no more than a gun, two hogs, and a dog. He became one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the region, amassing over 1,000 acres across Beech Mountain and the Elk River Valley. He raised livestock, harvested timber, and farmed the land with his family until his passing in 1924.
The home survived decades of neglect and changing hands before the current owners fully restored it while preserving its original character and 19th-century antique furnishings. While much of the surrounding landscape has been altered by development, this home remains.
Amenities
Award-Winning Historic Preservation
The Historic Farmhouse and its owners, Paul & Fabiana Lehmann, are recipients of the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit, one of North Carolina's most prestigious historic preservation honors. Presented since 1974 by Preservation North Carolina, the award recognizes individuals that have demonstrated a genuine commitment to historic preservation through extraordinary leadership, research, philanthropy, and significant personal participation.
October 2023
Farm Animals
Enjoy an authentic, hands-on farm experience that connects you to the land's rich agricultural past. Collecting fresh eggs, visiting the horses, and petting the goats provides fun, one of a kind memories for guests of all ages.
Old Turnpike Road
The Farmhouse sits on a quiet, gravel road that is nearly 200 years old. It began as a game trail, evolved into a wagon road, served as a Civil War Underground Railroad route, and then became a formalized turnpike connecting mountain communities to the railroad depot.
The unpaved stretch in front of the home is one of the last 19th-century highways still in its original condition in the entire state. It was declared a North Carolina Scenic Byway in 2018.
Original Spring
Used for Refrigeration
In the Southern Appalachians of the 1800s, a reliable spring was a matter of survival, which meant families chose their homestead sites based partly on spring proximity. Ice cut from frozen ponds in winter and packed in sawdust was a luxury most mountain families couldn't afford. A spring box was the alternative: constant mountain water, drawn from deep in the hillside where temperatures hold near fifty degrees year-round. It kept milk, butter, and meat from spoiling through the long humid summers. Step into the screened porch and you will hear it before you see it: a soft, steady drip from a stone basin in the corner.
What Our Guests Are Saying…
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"This family home is lovingly and respectfully restored in that rare way that perfectly balances historic preservation with modern touches and comforts."
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"Checking for eggs and giving Dusty a great big head rub brought more joy to my children than any amusement park. This is not a place to stay, this is an experience, and a most amazing one at that!"
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"The only way to describe this home is that it feels like a hug. It is as if you've stepped back in time. This house is the best kept secret in Banner Elk."
Convenient Central Location
2 minutes to Downtown Banner Elk
10 minutes to Beech & Sugar Mountain
15 minutes to Grandfather Mountain
30 minutes to Boone
35 minutes to Blue Ridge Parkway
The Restoration
Built long before electricity, indoor plumbing, or modern machinery, The Farmhouse still carried the remarkable craftsmanship and rugged ingenuity of another era. Every room reflected the skill and determination of the 19th-century builders who constructed the home entirely by hand using simple tools and raw materials from the surrounding land.
When the Lehmanns purchased The Farmhouse in 2020, the extensive restoration began with jacking up the home to replace the original stacked rock piers, reinforcing the flooring system with new framing and insulation, and restoring several of the massive 12-inch hand-hewn oak beams. One of them now serves as the dining room fireplace mantle. To repair the sagging dining room floor, dirt beneath the home was carefully removed by hand using small shovels.
The Farmhouse was then completely rewired and updated with new plumbing, along with modern heating and air conditioning throughout. Fresh paint and wallpaper have brightened the interiors, while a new kitchen, master bath, roof, wood ceilings, sidewalks, steps, and handrails have enhanced both comfort and character. The original spring box was also restored, utilities were buried, and new landscaping and driveway curbing were added. Future plans include rebuilding a replica of the property’s original barn that was demolished many years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
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As much as we love animals, we are not able to accommodate pets. The home is extremely delicate and we also want to ensure a comfortable stay for guests with allergies. We appreciate your understanding and hope our resident farm animals make up for it!
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Check-in begins at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 10:00 AM. However, if we do not have same day turnarounds we are happy to accommodate an early check-in or late check-out.
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Absolutely, the majority of our guests come with little ones in tow. We provide books, games, etc to keep kids entertained, as well as a high chair and crib for your convenience. Between our farm animals and the open land to run and play, children never want to leave.
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You can reach us anytime at (828) 387-7711 or plehmann1@live.com
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Nope. We do not charge any cleaning or other fees as our family personally cleans and maintains the home between each stay.