Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 21, 1993 TAG: 9307210192
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Owners Tom and Margaret Ray hope the national exposure will attract more visitors to the New River Valley.
"A lot of people are talking about increasing tourism, but we're actually doing it," said Margaret Ray.
A camera crew arrived at the Christiansburg inn Saturday and stayed three nights, taping interviews with the Rays and their guests.
After 2 1/2 days in the limelight, Margaret Ray was ready for a break.
"I cooked in front of the camera for five hours yesterday," she said Tuesday. "I enjoyed them being here, but boy am I tired."
The PBS series starts in October and the Rays aren't sure when the 23-minute segment on The Oaks will broadcast. Two inns in Charlottesville also will be featured on the Inn Country USA series.
In addition to filming life at The Oaks, the show's camera crew shot video of New River Valley tourist attractions, including Chateau Morrisette, the Pioneer Made cruise ship and Pulaski's Main Street.
The Inn Country USA segment isn't the first time The Oaks has received national attention.
It was named one of the top 12 inns in North America for 1991 by Country Inns magazine and is one of only 10 inns in the nation to get a four-crown rating from the American Bed & Breakfast Association.
The house was built in 1893 by prosperous railroad and real estate investor Maj. William Pierce for his wife and seven children. The home remained in the Pierce family until 1982. Many of the guest rooms are named for the Pierce family and contain mementos from their lives.
The Rays opened The Oaks almost four years ago.
A cookbook of recipes from the 52 inns will be featured with the television series.
by CNB