Rated as Excellent’ by Russell Wright in his 1971 architectural inventory of Danville, this important Queen Anne dwelling is decorated like a wedding cake with swags, wreaths, and ornaments that draw the eye to its Main Street Facade. Commenced in 1902, it was indeed a wedding gift from the tobacconist, James Gabriel Penn, to his daughter, Mary Katherine, and her husband, Barnes R. Penn, after their 1897 marriage. Landbook records of the city show a value of $6500 added for house.” The mansion remained in the Penn family and was occupied by Mrs. Elizabeth Penn Carter, only child of the original owners, until her death in 1985. 

Contracted by James Henry Fitzgerald, the home was designed by Frye and Chesterman, architects of Lynchburg, Virginia. The fine craftsmanship of the home features a corner tower, projecting bays, and a graceful Ionic front porch that curves around the tower. As an early exporter of the “Golden Leaf,” James Gabriel Penn founded Pemberton & Penn, Inc. and became a well-known capitalist in various other business ventures. The Penn family members are remembered for their ambition and energy that contributed to the growth and trade of the city’s wealth in the tobacco industry. Elizabeth, the last family member to enjoy the beauty of this home, was married on December 23, 1925, in the lovely front parlor to Everett Carter, who continued in the leaf business and later served several terms as Danville’s mayor. 

Purchased from only an exterior preview in 1986, Robert ‘Hoot’ Gibson and Howard ‘Buddy’ Casey were the perfect new owners. They valued the home’s history and architecture as they began a total restoration with heart and soul renewing the life of 1020 Main as the Bright Leaf House Bed & Breakfast. As “on the job” craftsmen, they restored windows, walls, stained and leaded glass, servant bells, plumbing, wiring, and finally complete revival of the Classical facade by chemically removing 35 coats of paint to reveal incredible detailing in the ornamentation along the frieze of the upper story and porch. They also expanded a brick patio into an informal English garden with roses, azaleas, hydrangea, and Southern perennials and added an underground sprinkler system. 

Due to distress in the airline industry in which they were both employed, they were 
forced to sell their dream and seek employment outside the area. As of October 1993, this vision is being perpetuated by its new owners, Sharon Carney and Gloria Newbery, who fell in love with the museum-quality evident to tourgoers this afternoon. They have relocated from Northern Virginia to pursue their vision of 1020 Main as The Wedding Cake House, a catering facility with bed & breakfast accommodations.