Located just eight miles south of the quintessential college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Fearrington seamlessly blends the old with the new, offering a distinct sense of place with the unexpected.
R.B. & Jenny Fitch, 1983
The story of Fearrington is the story of a historic farm, the families that maintained it, and one couple who redefined it. This couple, R.B. and Jenny Fitch, melded a wealth of experiences, patience and care to bring to life a village that offers warm personality and a new definition of hospitality, style and beauty. They assembled a team of individuals whose remarkable dedication and spirit of cooperation built a thriving Village. For decades they relentlessly experimented until it felt just right.
The community was named to honor the stewardship of Jesse Fearrington and his forebears. A particular appeal of the property for the Fitches was the opportunity to assemble a “coming together place” set amidst the farm structures where one could pick up daily necessities, visit with friends, and enjoy a tranquil setting. Together they renovated the Fearrington family homestead to become The Fearrington House Restaurant, designed and built The Fearrington House Inn and slowly the Village as it stands today came to life.
Jenny discussed the atmosphere they wanted to foster at Fearrington in a 1992 interview: “I hope that guests feel very comfortable while they’re here—whether they’re at the Restaurant or the Inn—that there’s nothing ostentatious there, but a comfort that makes them want to return.”
