Restoring the William Mills House: A New Chapter for Stanardsville

There are moments in a town’s story when the past and future meet—and something truly meaningful begins.

We are thrilled to share one of those moments with you.

This is the first post in what will become a series chronicling the transformation of one of Stanardsville’s historic buildings—the William Mills House—into a dynamic community hub for meetings, events, entrepreneurship, and civic life. Our goal is simple but ambitious: rescue a landmark and give it a vibrant new purpose at the heart of our town’s future.

Built in the 1840s and standing watch over our community from its perch above the town library, has sat empty for more than a decade—weathered by time and neglect, and at risk of being lost altogether. That changes now.

Thanks to a conditional donation by the former property owner, the house and the land it rests on were officially transferred to the Town of Stanardsville in December 2024. This generous act came with a challenge—and an opportunity. Within 30 months, we must relocate Town Hall operations to the new site and ensure the building serves a public function for the next 50 years. If we meet those requirements—and we will—this once-abandoned structure will become a cornerstone of public life in our community.

A Vision Shaped by Community

This isn’t just a construction project. It’s a community vision brought to life by people who care deeply about Stanardsville’s future. Our design process has been inclusive and collaborative, with input from community members, local leaders, public officials, historians, and economic development experts. Together, we’ve created a plan to make the William Mills House accessible, functional, and full of life once again.

Phase 1 of the project will focus on critical repairs and upgrades—including ADA-accessible entrances, new public restrooms, drainage improvements, structural reinforcements, and utilities—all with the goal of creating a safe, welcoming public meeting space. These improvements are already underway, supported by town funds and volunteers.

Preserving History. Fueling Progress.

Once complete, the revitalized William Mills House will be much more than just our new Town Hall. It will become a home for public meetings, support groups, HOA gatherings, and community events. It will offer small business incubator spaces on the second floor, provide space for local artists and educational displays, and host an outdoor event venue and pollinator garden. It will be a space that honors the past and empowers the future—bringing together neighbors, ideas, and opportunities under one historic roof.

By moving Town Hall into the William Mills House, we will free up our current building on Celt Road for commercial use—supporting Main Street revitalization and providing a new revenue stream for the town. This project is a catalyst for civic engagement, economic development, and community pride.

Join Us on This Journey

In the months ahead, we’ll use this blog to share updates on construction, feature stories from community members involved in the project, and spotlight the incredible local support making it all possible.

We invite you to follow along, ask questions, and get involved.

The renovation of the William Mills House is more than just a preservation effort—it’s a bold step forward for Stanardsville. We’re excited to walk this path together, and we hope you are too. Let’s build something meaningful. Together.

— The William Mills House Fundraising Committee