the mid-twentieth century . Today the highly popular Old Lucketts Store , which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year , has 50,000 followers on social media , was named Best Antiques Store in 2021 in a Loudoun Now reader ’ s poll , and each weekend bustles with local and out-of-state shoppers .
Residents enjoy recreation in a community park and the ballfields behind the Volunteer Firehouse . Bluegrass music spills out of the Lucketts Community Center every Saturday night between October and April , as it has done since 1974 , in what is billed as the oldest continually running bluegrass concert series in the world . Ralph Stanley , Larry Sparks , The Seldom Scene and other top names in bluegrass have appeared on the stage in the historic building , once the village schoolhouse . The program , like so much else that keeps Lucketts thriving , is run entirely by dedicated volunteers .
And just to the south along the historic byway , at another historic crossroads once known as Black Swamp ( now considered part of “ greater Lucketts ”) are two farm markets with fruits , vegetables and livestock raised on site , a motel , more antiques emporia , and a 150-year-old board-and-batten Episcopal church , which after having stood vacant for 32 years was lovingly restored through community fundraising and volunteer effort . That 9-year endeavor concluded in 1988 with resumption of services . Parishioners secured its place on the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register in 2019 .
Celebrity alert ! A granddaughter of the first rector of Christ Church Episcopal , Sewell Hepburn , was actor Katherine Hepburn .
The newest magnet for visitors and residents alike is Roots 657 ( at the intersection of Routes 15 and 657 ), a timber-framed restaurant and gourmet market , known for its smoked and grilled meats , locally sourced ingredients , and locally made products . Further afoot , wineries , breweries , and wedding venues nestle among the pastures , cornfields and woods in the surrounding countryside .
A private wildlife sanctuary
with globally rare species borders the village on the west . Nearby Temple Hall Farm Park offers family-friendly activities , including the chance to meet heritage breed farm animals , experience daily farm life , and get lost in the Corn Maize during its ever-popular Fall Festival . There are also miles of hiking and horseback riding trails . Two boat launches ( one by the Potomac River bridge and the second at White ’ s Ford Park ), offer fishermen , canoeists , and kayakers opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the river and its wildlife .
While some of Loudoun ’ s rural villages have changed their names over time — Snickersville became Bluemont to attract summer visitors from D . C .— Lucketts has kept its “ family ” name .
Way back when
The first Luckett surely crossed into Loudoun via Noland ’ s Ferry , presumably for love . Thomas Hussey Luckett , who owned substantial bottomland in what is now Montgomery County , Maryland ,
Opposite page : the Old Lucketts School , which now houses the Lucketts Community Center ; above : Old Lucketts Store welcomes summer visitors ; right : inside Roots 657 on Route 15 . wander I fall • winter 2021 15