Edge Hill House, the building which graces the intersection of Main Street (Route 17) and Route 14 in Gloucester Court House, c. 1740, has a long history of service to the community. The site is on both the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. The Gloucester Woman’s Club purchased the building in 1913. Over the years it continually held its meetings there, and has sponsored many charitable and philanthropic activities; notable among these was Gloucester’s first library.

Though long presumed to have served as an "Ordinary" for those traveling by stage, the building became referred to as "Long Bridge Ordinary." However, a recent study titled "A Documentary History of the Gloucester Woman’s Club building, Gloucester, Virginia," conducted on behalf of the Long Bridge Ordinary Foundation by Martha W. McCartney, showed no evidence of the building ever serving as an ordinary or house of private entertainment.

Rather, this research concluded that throughout its long history, Edge Hill House as it was originally known, has been used as a private residence and a mercantile establishment. Makers of coaches, carriages and gigs prospered here in the early 1800s. It began as a mid-18th century dwelling that was enlarged and enhanced during the early- to mid-19th century for commercial use. The location of the building at the intersection of two colonial roads made it a likely location for this type of establishment.

According to the study, until 1927 the building was known as "Edge Hill House," when in the 1920s "The discovery of a sign at Fredericksburg’s Rising Sun Tavern, which bears the date 1775 and lettering stating that transportation was available to ‘Iron Bridge—Gloster C.H.’ convinced some local residents that there was stage service from the tavern to the Gloucester Woman’s Club Building. Moreover, the words ‘Iron Bridge’ were interpreted to mean ‘Long Bridge.’ Together, these hypotheses led some people to proffer that the Gloucester Woman’s Club Building was an ordinary that served those traveling by stage." Thereafter the building became referred to as the "Long Bridge Ordinary."

The research concluded this theory is no longer plausible. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation curator John Davis indicated that tin signs such as this were not in use until the latter part of the 19th century, and further iron bridges were not in use in Virginia until after the Civil War.

Visitors will notice the signage in front of the building has been replaced to reflect the structure’s original titled reference as Edge Hill House. The building is open throughout the year for special events, including the Gloucester Daffodil Festival, Historic Garden Week in Virginia and the Gloucester History Trail, and is also available for school and group tours, and private rental. For more information call club president Martha Morton at 693-5574.