Purchased in July 2024, the Gertrude Shook House is set to be the first property to be saved and turned into an Artist Residency as part of ReStory.

Extraordinary in craft as well as character, Gertrude was an artist in everything she did. From pastels to leather work, baskets to sketches, her creativity was expressed in many varying forms.

Including architecture.

In 1935, at the age of twenty-two, Gertrude Shook re-built her family’s home to her own design after the original burned down in a fire. Singular in style in the area, the property captivates the passerby as both strange and perfectly situated.

Reminiscent of the Bauhaus movement in Germany, the property speaks to Gertrude’s vision and insight when it came to the arts. Within the small town of Keysville, Virginia, Gertrude impacted many of those she met and left a lasting impression years after her passing in 1997.

Renovations on the property began in August of 2024 and as the flagship residency of ReStory, it is set to open in August of 2025. This 1,500 square foot house is filled with history and rich with character. Sitting on two acres in rural Virginia, it is both serene and quiet with a five minute drive to the quaint town of Keysville and within twenty-five minutes of Farmville.

Gertrude Shook as captured by Bob Harman

• Residencies at the Gertrude Shook House are divided into two periods: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter

• Two artists are in residence at a time, one Visual Artist and one Writer.

• Residency periods are available from 1 to 6 weeks. Arrivals are scheduled on Monday and departures are scheduled for Friday.

• Each artist has their own private, bedroom, studio, and bathroom.

• Common areas include the kitchen, living room, and laundry room.

Residency Information For The Gertrude Shook House: