The Clearing – Home
The Clearing is a meditative retreat center in a peaceful, natural forest setting 
located within an hour’s drive of Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia. It was given to Richmond Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) by Louise Whittington in 1983 and is operated under the Meeting’s care. It is used often by the Friends community. The Clearing is also available to groups and individuals that honor the values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship of our resources. We encourage use for meetings, retreats, family reunions, educational programs, workshops and youth events.
The 75 acres are mostly wooded except for the spacious grassy clearing from which the site takes its name. A small creek meanders through the woods. The gravel drive and loop trail through the woods can accommodate off-road bicycles. Adjacent to the Amelia Wildlife Management Area and close to Bicycle Route 1 and the Appomattox River, the Clearing has nature at its heart.
Facilities at the Clearing include:
The Lodge, which is heated and air-conditioned, features a large community gathering room, with a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows. This is a beautiful open space, with roll-away tables and chairs, which can comfortably be used by as many as 60 people. There is a complete kitchen with two sinks, two refrigerators, and plenty of storage space. It is well stocked with dinnerware and cookware. A smaller meeting room has large windows, a cathedral ceiling and a wood stove. There are separate bathroom and shower facilities for men and women. The Lodge has a large covered front deck, as well as a ramp for handicap access. In its side yard are picnic tables and a play structure.
The Large Sleeping Cabin is a wonderful place to sleep! It has six two-person bunks with foam camp mattresses and six cots. There is a screened changing room for privacy. Although the cabin does not have heat or electricity, it is well-lit and ventilated by the clerestory windows around its high ceiling and its large lower windows. The Small Sleeping Cabin nearby has beds for three more.
The Pavilion, for outside meals and gatherings, is a short walk down a gravel drive from the Lodge. It has picnic tables with benches and several rockers. There is a large stone fireplace for fires on cool evenings. The Pavilion is covered with a tin roof and is a delightful open-air refuge.
The clearing that gave The Clearing its name is a large grassy area downhill from the Pavilion, perfect for volleyball, capture the flag, frisbee or touch football. There is a sandbox for tots and the entire field can be watched from the benches and chairs in the covered pavilion.
The Clearing also has cleared and marked campsites, an Adirondack shelter, two privies, and and a fire circle for worship, fellowship and song.
Since 1983, many Quaker and community individuals and groups have benefited from this unique spiritual resource. To determine if The Clearing is suitable for your event, go Your Stay at The Clearing to check usage rules and restrictions. To reserve our facility, go to Reserving The Clearing.
If you have other questions about The Clearing, please Contact Us.
