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The Sinclair House— originally named Kanawha —is a classical revival mansion built in 1921 by the mayor of Luray, Vernon H. Ford. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Luray, a small town of some 4000 souls, is nestled between the Shenandoah National Park, the Shenandoah River, and the Luray Caverns (the largest cave system in the eastern U.S.)

The Sinclair House is also home to the family of Chesterton & Zoë Cobb: world-traveling, entrepreneurial, classical educators. Through hospitality and an infectious love for gardening, cooking, liturgy, and the Great Books, Chesterton & Zoë have built the Sinclair House into a vibrant intellectual community of students, teachers, faculty, and young professionals.

Their door is always open.

Testimonials

“The Sinclair House [runs] incredible retreats that immerse us in community, nature, and the best of philosophy and history. They are the best programs I’ve been a part of since leaving college and some of my best memories, friendships, and intellectual discoveries have been made there.”

Will Long, Harvard '19

“The Sinclair House [has] been an amazing community of thoughtful, inquisitive friends I am grateful to have the chance to work, pray, eat, and discuss with. I can honestly say the learning experiences I've had through the seminars would rival the best courses I took at Princeton!”

James Haynes, Princeton '19

“I've attended academic seminars at Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and Oxford, but the ones I most look forward to are at the Sinclair House. It's rare to find a place where you can so quickly and seamlessly slip into a routine of prayer, food, communal work, and stimulating conversation.”

John Christian Kuehnert, Covenant '17

Participating Schools:

Cædmon Fellowship

Classical Union

Custom Retreats

To learn more, contact Chesterton & Zoë at chestertoncobb@gmail.com.