Our History… Our Story… Our Future…

Don’t let the name fool you, the New River is one of the five oldest rivers in the world (debatably, by some scholars, the second oldest) dating between 260 to 325 million years old.  It is believed that the New River existed before the Appalachian Mountains and rose up with the range as it formed.  Many scientists also believe that the Appalachian Mountains are the oldest mountains in the world.  Could this mean that the New River is possibly older than any mountain range in the world?  If this could be the case, then how did it end up with a name like “New” River?  Although no one is quite sure of the origin of the name, there are many theories.  One theory is that when Colonel Abraham Wood, an English Fur trader, explored the then uncharted territories of rural Virginia, he came across a river that was not on his map and wrote in “new river” and the name forever stuck.  In April of 1976, the New River was designated a National Wild and Scenic River and is also registered with the National Park Service.  These distinctions protect the river’s history and culture preserving it as an important historical site.  This beautiful, ancient river begins in the mountains of North Carolina and makes its 360 mile journey flowing northeastward through the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Appalachian Valley, then continues to wind and meander its way through the western part of Virginia and West Virginia before finally making it to the Ohio River watershed. 

To our family, the New River is more than just a river, it is home.  In fact, it has been home to more than nine generations of our family.  My mom remembers waking up many a morning to that river mist and walking to school which she attended 1st through 12th grade along its riverside.  She remembers playing on the school playground along its banks.  Every morning my grandmother would walk to the Bed and Breakfast in which she managed that was situated in prime location on the New River waterfront.  My grandfather made his trek along its shoreline every day to the mill as did many before him.  He was a lover of nature and instilled that same love in his family.  He has taken every one of his grandchildren (all 13 of us!) on a hike along the New River to experience its wonder in all of its breathtaking awe.  For every footprint I left along its shoreline, it left two more in me.  I have spent many childhood days on those banks, and go back to visit every chance I get.  Every day for hundreds of years, the New River was our view.  We not only grew up along side of the river, we grew up a part of it.  Much has changed surrounding the New River, yet the river itself has remained the same.

Though earlier generations are long gone, the river still tells their stories and remains a living witness to the life they lived.  The stories passed down from my great great great grandparents to the childhood memories I still hold fast, have inspired us to now pass the same onto our future generations and to you!  Every detail of the design of our soaps have derived its inspiration from these memories. From the scents along its riverbanks, to the names of our bars, down to every one of our nature loving ingredients, there’s a piece of the New River and a piece of our family history.  So from our home to yours, we hope you thoroughly enjoy every bar of New River soap!