ABOUT US

a story hundreds of years in the making

FROM A HISTORIC CHATHAM COUNTY FARM TO ONE OF NORTH CAROLINA'S MOST BELOVED DESTINATIONS
The story of Fearrington Village begins on a historic Chatham County farm dating back to the 1770s. In the late 1970s, R.B. and Jenny Fitch reimagined this former dairy farm into a welcoming countryside destination that blended Southern charm, timeless design, and the warmth of European-inspired hospitality. What started as a restoration of the original homestead soon became The Fearrington House Restaurant, and later expanded into a luxury inn, boutique shops, beautiful gardens, and a thriving residential community.

Guided by the Fitches’ vision of creating a “coming-together place,” Fearrington has grown into a destination known for exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and the peaceful beauty of the North Carolina Piedmont. Today, just minutes south of Chapel Hill, guests and residents alike enjoy a village where history, nature, and community come together in meaningful and memorable ways.

Fearrington’s story continues to unfold every day—with each stay, each meal, every celebration, and every quiet moment shared in this extraordinary place.

The Story of R.B. & Jenny Fitch

FROM HISTORIC FARMSTEAD TO WELCOMING VILLAGE

Fearrington Village grew from an 18th-century Chatham County farm into the vibrant community it is today thanks to the vision of R.B. and Jenny Fitch. Inspired by the charm of small English villages and the natural beauty of the North Carolina countryside, they transformed the former dairy farm into a “coming-together place” with inviting homes, gardens, shops, restaurants, and a renowned inn.

R.B. carefully restored historic farm buildings—now home to Village favorites like The Belted Goat and Dovecote Style—and thoughtfully planned neighborhoods that blend with the land. Jenny’s artistry shaped the Village gardens, from daffodil fields to the Knot Garden and beyond.

Their shared dedication to hospitality, craftsmanship, and community continues to guide Fearrington Village today, welcoming residents and guests into a place where history, nature, and connection thrive.

A smiling woman in sunglasses and a patterned skirt stands with her arm around a smiling man in a short-sleeve maroon shirt. They are posing together in front of a wooden shingle wall.

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A LONG HISTORY OF HOSPITALITY

“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.”

JENNY FITCH

from farm to community

LAND PURCHASE

1786

FARMING

1875

FEARRINGTON

1915

DAIRY FARM

1925

HOUSE BUILT

1927

RETIRING

1970

NEW BEGINNING

1974

BUILDING BEGINS

1976

RESTAURANT

1980

VILLAGE CENTER

1980

THE INN

1986

COOKBOOK

1987

THE BOOKSTORE

1989

JENNY'S GARDEN

1992

CAMDEN PARK

1995

INN EXPANSION

1996

GALLOWAY RIDGE

2005

GARDEN TERRACE

2008

ROOST BEER GARDEN

2010

THE SPA

2011

GALLOWAY'S

2023

MEN'S SHOP

2025

A black-and-white vintage photo of eight adults and one boy, dressed in late 19th-century clothing, posing together in two rows: five women standing, three seated adults, and a boy standing on the far right.

COLE FAMILY

William Cole, Sr. purchased 640 acres of land that eventually became Fearrington Village for $80; 5 years later the town of Chapel Hill will be founded.

Black and white photo of a single-story house with a porch, two rocking chairs, and a person standing in the doorway. Lush plants and trees surround the walkway leading to the entrance.

EUREKA FARMS

E. M. Fearrington married Adelaide Cole and inherited the farm and named it Eureka Farms. Their homestead is pictured right, circa 1900.

Aerial view of a rural farm landscape with barns, fenced pastures, grazing cows, and surrounding fields bordered by trees and distant hills under a clear sky.

FEARRINGTON FAMILY

The land acquired the Fearrington name when it was inherited by Cole’s great-granddaughter and her husband, Edwin M. Fearrington.

Two people stand by a fence looking over a dirt road and a large, freshly plowed field, with farm buildings, trees, and tall silos visible in the background under a clear sky.

DAIRY FARMING

Fire destroys the original 1820 Cole homestead; Fearrington dairy barn for 30 cows approved (in 1963 thery’ll have over 100 cows, half Guernsey and half Holstein).

Black-and-white photo of a large, two-story Colonial-style house with white siding, a columned porch, shutters, and a balcony. Leafless trees surround the house, and a grassy lawn stretches in front.

THE FEARRINGTON HOUSE

Edwin’s son, John Bunyan Fearrington, builds a homestead in a location close to US 15-501, where it stands today as The Fearrington House Restaurant.

A dirt road curves past white wooden barns and a fence on a rural farm, with trees and grassy fields in the background under a light sky.

LOOKING TO SELL

John’s son Jesse begins to look for a buyer to preserve the historic and aesthetic qualities which had made it an important part of the area for so long.

A large “Fearrington” sign stands in front of leafless trees and a white, two-story house with columns, on a grassy area under a pale sky.

ENTER RB & JENNY

Chatham County Commissioners rezone the land from residential-agrigultural to Planned Unit Development, and RB Fitch acquires the property.

A man in a plaid shirt stands smiling at the bottom of wooden stairs in front of a modern, rustic house with large windows, surrounded by trees under a blue sky.

PHASE 1

The first homes are built in Phase 1 — by the end of 1980, there will be 157 houses built in the “historic district.”

A woman in a red jacket and white blouse stands smiling next to a large sign that reads

THE FEARRINGTON HOUSE RESTAURANT

The Fearrington homestead is renovated and The Fearrington House Restaurant opens.

Outdoor patio area with several white plastic tables and chairs, shaded by blue-and-white striped umbrellas, surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery next to a light-colored building on a sunny day.

TAKING SHAPE

The Village Center starts taking shape — the milking barn becomes Dovecote, the old granary becomes The Belted Goat.

A charming white cottage with large windows and a gray roof is framed by two small trees with red leaves and neatly trimmed hedges along a stone pathway leading to the entrance.

THE FEARRINGTON HOUSE INN

A fourteen room inn is added in the Village Center and Dovecote opens in the farm's former milking barn. The Fearrington House Country Inn is accepted into the Relais & Châteaux hotelier group two years later.

THE FEARRINGTON HOUSE COOKBOOK

Jenny Fitch publishes her beautifully crafted cookbook with recipes that have graced the tables of The Fearrington House Restaurant over the years, suggestions on flower arrangements and tips on utilizing your home garden to its fullest potential.

A woman with long brown hair wearing a floral dress smiles while sitting in a bookstore, with shelves of books and magazines visible in the background.

McINTYRE'S BOOKS

McIntyre’s Books opens, named after RB Fitch's mother's maiden name. RB & Jenny's eldest child, Keebe, is at the helm.

A lush garden with colorful flowers, a stone sculpture and fountain, and white pergolas surrounded by greenery under a bright, sunny sky.

JENNY'S GARDEN

The iconic trellised structure anchored by Wayne Trapp's granite fountain is installed behind the Fearringotn House Inn.

A wooden bench sits under tall trees facing a calm pond, which reflects the blue sky and scattered clouds. Lush green grass and trees surround the water on a bright, sunny day.

CAMDEN PARK

Co-founder Jenny Fitch dies — two years later, Camden Park will be established in her honor. It is lovingly known as Jenny's Park.

A cozy bedroom with a double bed covered in white bedding, two wicker benches at the foot, matching side tables with lamps, patterned curtains, and windows letting in natural light.

NEW ROOMS ADDED

Eighteen additional rooms are added to The Fearrington House Inn.

Aerial view of a large, elegant white building complex with dark roofs, surrounded by green trees and landscaped grounds, taken at sunset with sunlight filtering through the background trees.

WELCOMING DUKE

Galloway Ridge and the Duke Center for Living open.

A large, open-sided pavilion with a steeply pitched roof and white columns stands on a brick patio, surrounded by grass and trees. The structure features screened-in sides and is adjacent to a wooded area.

OUTDOOR SPACE

The Garden Terrace is added alongside The Fearrington House Restaurant.

Outdoor cafe with black metal tables and chairs, large tan umbrellas, and a small gray building with a pink door in the background, surrounded by green trees and plants on a sunny day.

WOOD-FIRED PIZZA

Nestled into the oaks in the heart of the village center is our favorite gathering spot spring through fall for live music, pizza and beer.

A modern living room with high-back beige sofas around a wooden table, a large metal chandelier, wall art, and a mirrored ceiling panel reflecting the light fixture. Natural light enters through windows.

PAMPERING GUESTS

The Spa at Fearrington opens, offering massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.

A white table set with plates of food including mussels, soup, fries, and salad; in the background, shelves display various bottles of wine and bread baskets. The scene has a warm, inviting restaurant ambiance.

WINE BAR & SHOP

Tucked in on the lower level of the Belted Goat, this charming spot perfectly blends the relaxed atmosphere of a wine shop with the energy of a lively bar.

A stylish clothing store interior with shirts, jackets, and pants neatly displayed on racks and a round table. A cozy armchair sits nearby, and a portrait hangs above a white fireplace with decorative items.

THISTLE & OAK

Men's style, substance, and craftsmanship in a welcoming, well-appointed space.

THE FITCH FAMILY

An older man with gray hair and glasses is smiling outdoors. He is wearing a light blue striped shirt and a red tie with a pattern. Green foliage is blurred in the background.

R.B. FITCH

R.B. Fitch, a Chapel Hill native and UNC graduate, founded Fitch Creations, Inc. in 1960 after serving as an Air Force pilot. Inspired by the charm of English villages he admired while stationed in England, he began developing Fearrington Village in 1974 with his late wife, Jenny. Together, they transformed a historic dairy farm into a thriving community that blends Southern hospitality with English countryside style. Today, Fearrington includes a Village Center of shops and restaurants within the original farm buildings and a residential community of more than 1,200 homes.

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a blue patterned top and dangling earrings, smiles outdoors with green foliage blurred in the background.

KEEBE FITCH

Keebe has been a part of the family business since the early 1980s. In 1989, Keebe opened McIntyre’s Books, one of the South’s most celebrated independent bookstores, and continues to manage the store. In addition to earning a B.A. in History from UNC, she received an MBA from UNC’s Kenan Flagler Business School in 2003.

A smiling man with short light brown hair and glasses wearing a light blue button-up shirt, standing outdoors with greenery blurred in the background.

GREG FITCH

Well before Fearrington existed, Greg worked for his father part time after school starting in the 1970s. After Fearrington began (and he could drive), he started working at the former farm, busing tables and mowing lawns. He went off to college, worked in the White House under President George H.W. Bush, and earned an MBA from Northwestern University. He then spent a decade working in New York, most recently for Random House, Inc. Greg Fitch rejoined the family business in 2006. He recently served as president of the Botanical Garden Foundation, a not for profit which supports the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

A middle-aged woman with glasses and pulled-back hair smiles softly, wearing a floral patterned top, standing outdoors with a blurred background of greenery.

KELLEY FITCH

After a gap year in Valence, France, Kelley earned her French degree from UNC Chapel Hill and worked for sculptor Bernar Venet in New York before opening Watermarks gallery at Fearrington. She later studied art and design in Florence, ran a children’s clothing import business while living in Maine, and spent a year traveling the States and working on farms in a 1967 Airstream with her family. Since returning home in 2015, she has worked with the marketing team at Fearrington.

from our blog

The Fearrington InnSider - Reflections From Relais & Châteaux Rendez-Vous

The Fearrington InnSider: Fires, Friends & Fearrington Evenings

November Real Estate News

A Night of Bubbles & Elegance: The Billecart-Salmon Champagne & Caviar Dinner on December 11

HOURS & LOCATION

The Village Shops are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am-5pm.
Find us at 2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro NC 27312. Call us at 919-542-2121.

INSTAGRAM

A brown and white belted Galloway cow stands on grass, looking at the camera, with two other cows resting in the background near a silo and farm buildings.

A mannequin dressed in a cream knit sweater, blue patchwork skirt, colorful floral scarf, and wide-brim straw hat stands next to a matching sweater on a hanger in a bright, modern clothing store.

A wooden board with assorted cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and pickles next to a sandwich on a green plate and a salad with tomatoes, burrata, herbs, and edible flowers on a white plate, all on a light wooden table.

A person wearing a beige top pours tea from a shiny metal teapot into a white cup on a saucer, with a spoon resting inside the cup and plates on the table.

Four people clink glasses of rosé wine above a wooden board with cheese, grapes, and snacks, suggesting a celebratory meal or gathering.