Our Story Nesselrod on the New

In 1916 Dr. Minor Wine Thomas and Grace Nesselrodt married in colonial Williamsburg. Dr. Thomas had been working as a Psychology professor at the College of William and Mary. The couple moved to Radford during the depression as Dr. Thomas continued teaching Psychology at Radford College. During their trips back and forth from Williamsburg to Radford, Grace Nesselrodt Thomas noticed a home in Bedford County designed by Everette Fauber who had helped design the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg.

The couple purchased 9 acres in Pulaski County from Dr. Bob Hopkins and built the home in 1939. Mrs. Thomas gave the estate her personal touch by naming it “Nesselrodt-on-the-New”. The 2,700 square foot home combines Colonial Revival elements with a modern room layout for the 1930’s. Symmetrical design of the house showcases a large central chimney, three gabled dormers and a slate roof. The exterior veneer of the house was built with stone that Mrs. Thomas had brought over from the Radford train station when it was decommissioned in the late 1930’s.

Architect Fauber then began designing the Sunken Garden in a natural depression east of the house and along Madison Street, which was removed in the early 1990’s when a new bridge was constructed connecting Radford and Pulaski County.

While the couple stayed active in the community, Grace Thomas became well known in the area for the cakes she would make at Nesselrodt. People visited Mrs. Thomas on a regular basis to sample her terrific cakes and enjoy the beautiful estate grounds. The couple also raised their family here of 3 children, one of them using Nesselrodt as their wedding venue in 1954.

In 1997, Dr.’s Hal and Cheryl Gillespie purchased the estate along the banks of the New River. Dr. Hal Gillespie was a psychiatrist and Dr. Cheryl Gillespie was a Psychologist and both operated their own practice just a short walk away from Nesselrodt in Fairlawn. While updated the estate, the Gillespie’s opened the “Nesselrod on the New” in 1999 dropping the “t” from Nesselrodt as a Bed & Breakfast. The Gillespies gave all the guest rooms themed style names while remodeling the estate and adding important features to attract events and travelers.

The Gillespie’s decided to move in 2008 and sold the estate back to the Thomas family as Dr. Joe Gianfortoni and his wife Emily, who is Grace Nesselrodt Thomas’ granddaughter. The estate continued to function as an event venue and Bed & Breakfast, under a third party, until falling on hard times in 2019. Jeff Caldwell purchased the property in 2021 and began restoring and reviving the venue to be a destination in the New River Valley and beyond. As a child, Jeff remembers Mrs. Thomas’ cakes when visiting a family nearby. With deep ties in the community, Jeff wants to make your experience at Nesselrod unforgettable.

In 2024 Nesselrod was purchased by Brittany Simmons and Joe McCroskey both born and raised in the NRV. They are both entrepreneurs and have many passions, hobbies, and businesses. Flipping properties is one of their biggest passions.  When they found the Nesselrod it was in need of some upkeep and repairs. While this is just the beginning, there are some big plans in store for this magnificent property. Bringing her grounds back to their intended glory is just one of them. All while adding some picturesque additions to make any photograph the talk of the town. They are also planning to have a space for all year round events! And maybe some extra lodging, so be on the look out for a new and improved Nesselrod!