Happy International Women’s Day
Happy International Women’s Day!
International Women’s Day, observed throughout the world since the early 1900s, is a day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Here at the Greystone Inn, we are celebrating the life and legacy of the woman who dreamed up the residence that we now call home: Ms. Lucy Camp Armstrong Moltz.
You’re familiar with the story of how Lucy purchased acreage on Lake Toxaway to build a summer cottage on and how she spent a summer camped out on the property at her husband’s urging. The Greystone Inn simply would not exist without her summer cottage dreams, but there was more to Lucy Camp Armstrong Moltz than a beautiful mansion tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains in the land of waterfalls.
After the Lake Toxaway dam broke in 1916 and the lake disappeared, Lucy’s husband George built her the grandest home in Savannah known as The Armstrong House. Despite the elegance of the magnificent home in the southern coastal town, Lucy chose to make her Hillmont mansion on Lake Toxaway, her permanent home after her husband’s untimely early death.
Although the lake was gone, Lucy never disserted her Swiss chalet-style mansion or the people in the Lake Toxaway community. In a time when people were struggling to survive, Lucy opened up her home to teach women skills to take care of their families such as canning and sewing. She employed more people than she needed and graciously invited and welcomed pupils from the local school to her home where she hosted afternoon picnics and games.
Her giving spirit lead her and her daughter to donate their home in Savannah, The Armstrong House, to the city so that they could convert the home into Savannah’s first institution devoted exclusively to higher learning in 1935. Originally called Armstrong Memorial Junior College, the school thrived and outgrew the Armstrong House. The college is now known as Armstrong Atlantic State University and remains a testament to Lucy’s giving nature and her dedication to education.
Lucy strongly supported her local community both when she lived in Savannah and when she lived on Lake Toxaway. She was actively involved in the YWCA (where she served as president), in the First Baptist church, and as a patron and attendee of the Brevard Music Center and Asheville Symphony. She loved to see those around her succeed and Lucy did what she could to help others realize their own dreams and successes. In fact, she helped nearly two dozen pupils attend institutions of higher learning so that they were able to continue their education.
Throughout her life, Lucy loved her family and community fiercely, traveled extensively, and gave generously. We are proud to continue the legacy of Lucy’s gracious hospitality at the Greystone Inn and we look forward to welcoming our first guests later this spring.
