When Kristy and Brian McCormally bought a historic mansion in downtown Suffolk in 2022 with the goal of breathing new life into the property, they didn’t fully grasp the positive impact it would have on the surrounding community.
Now, after three years of living in the Truitt House and sprucing it up, they’ve realized their effort extends beyond its walls.
The 8,500-square-foot Greek Revival mansion, previously operated as a bed-and-breakfast, was built by lumber magnate George Truitt in 1909. Brian saw the auction listing online and scooped it up for $1.2 million, two days after the McCormallys saw it in person.
“Totally fell in love with the place and that was it,” Kristy said. “Changed our whole life.”
Owners Kristy and Brian McCormally at the Truitt House in Suffolk. She’s on the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission; he helped implement the Downtown Suffolk Advisory Committee, which aims to revitalize downtown. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
Soon after, they relocated from Spotsylvania County to Suffolk. Brian, 68, a recently retired attorney, had experience with restoring two historic homes in other cities, but this would be the first one they would live in during the renovations.
He was intrigued by the Truitt House’s large windows and the airy, 14-foot ceilings. He was also sold on the opportunity to reinvigorate the landscaping. The couple planted about 1,000 new trees and bushes and created a rose garden and a koi pond on the property.
After they painted the house last summer, they noticed several residents in older homes around them followed suit.
“We think it’s because of pride of ownership,” Brian said. “It becomes infectious.”
They’ve been working to build new connections between their neighbors, inviting them over for Sunday supper and other events at the Truitt House.
The dining room at the Truitt House. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
“We are well on our way to redeveloping a neighboring community where people know each other, and they say hi, and people help each other,” he said.
At the same time, the McCormallys have been embracing life in downtown Suffolk. Brian helped implement the Downtown Suffolk Advisory Committee to revitalize the area. He serves as the chair. The group is working on formally establishing a cultural arts district with incentives for business owners, in part to fill the growing number of vacant spaces, he said.
Kristy, 59, serves on the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission and is collecting stories about the Truitt House through the years.
She turned her love for throwing dinner parties and having people over into a small business, Truitt House Living. She’s built a website to chronicle how she and her husband have been changing the house while living in it.
“It’s a nice opportunity for us to think about refocusing a light on Suffolk,” Kristy said. “We’re always thinking about ways to bring people downtown and let them see it through our eyes with all the potential.”
Truitt House Living will hold a hostessing masterclass series. The first one-day class, $250, will be on Thursday. A tea party, $75-$95, inspired by children’s book series character Eloise, is scheduled for Saturday.
Suffolk Mayor Mike Duman met the McCormallys after they bought the mansion.
“Ever since they’ve come to Suffolk, they’ve embraced our city and promoted the historic downtown area not only through the restoration of the Truitt House,” he said. “They’ve been engaged in the community. Folks have really rallied around them.”
The couple hosts holiday tours, community groups and campaign launches pro bono. They’re hoping the elegance of the Truitt House will be an inspiration.
“We’re not selling access. We’re not selling rooms,” Brian said. “We’re trying to get people to think about the positive of downtown Suffolk.”
The Neoclassical home has nine fireplaces (two are marble), an octagon-shaped library with curly pine floors and walls, and a spiral staircase that leads to a music mezzanine overlooking the living room. Truitt commissioned a New York City artist for oil paintings mounted over the fireplace in the library and in the stair hall, all of which are still in place today.
The Truitt House was built on an Italian marble foundation. The front portico is flanked by six Corinthian columns. Palladian windows and original mahogany doors are featured throughout the home.
One of Brian’s favorite spaces is the carriage house, which he renovated into a dark and classy man cave.
The house, at 204 Bank St., will be opened to the public after Thursday’s class from 4 to 8 p.m. for a free pop-up shopping experience with vendors TomTom and Co., June St. George, The Curated Coupe, Jennifer Sumko, Nest, and Frank & Eileen. For more information, visit truitthouseliving.com/events.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
