The Konnarock Retreat House Mission Statement
In keeping with the original mission of Konnarock Lutheran Training School, Konnarock Retreat House will preserve the center as a site for service and outreach programs that enhance the spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of individuals and of the greater community.
Our Vision For The Konnarock Retreat House
Konnarock Retreat House will serve as a center at which non-profit educational, community, and ecumenical religious organizations may provide specialized programs for their constituents or for the greater community.
Konnarock Retreat House will serve as a center for focused spiritual retreats for ordained clergy and their families.
Konnarock Retreat House will serve as a center for the preservation of Appalachian history and heritage.
Konnarock Retreat House will preserve the historically significant Konnarock Training School building and will create an archival collection representing the history of the work of the Southern Mountain Mission and related organizations.
Konnarock Retreat House will work with regional educational institutions to further ecological and natural science studies in the Appalachian Mountains.
Konnarock Retreat House is an Environmentally Friendly Project...
KRH is committed to developing sustainable landscaping and to using environmentally friendly products. We feel good stewardship of our natural resources is everyone's responsibility. Our plans include the following steps to protect the environmental treasures of Appalachia:
...Salvaging as much American chestnut bark siding as possible. Using poplar bark in places where the siding must be replaced. Bark shingles are natural, are dried by natural processes, and last longer than almost any type siding. Those on the building are 85 years old, and large sections are in excellent condition and will not have to be replaced.
...Pervious parking lots.
...Bio-swales near parking lots and any impervious area to detain and filter runoff.
...Use of native plants to promote sustainability and wildlife.
...Stream protection and preservation techniques.
...Use of rain gardens.
...Use of rain barrels and cisterns to capture rainwater for on-site irrigation.
...Meadows and pollinator gardens to reduce mowing areas and promote wildlife.
...On-site vegetable garden to promote healthy eating and sustainability. When the Konnarock Retreat House operated as a girl's boarding school the students grew vegetables for food and canning. An on-site vegetable garden would do the same now. Organic vegetables would provide a food source for visitors and the local community.
...Geo-thermal heating system.
...Solar water heaters, if possible.
...A specially designed waste-water treatment facility that will be environmentally friendly and will not impurities to leach into the stream.
We hope to demonstrate at Konnarock that such a facility can have a very small carbon footprint.
Our Nonprofit Status
The Konnarock Retreat House is a nonprofit entity incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has been granted 501(c)3 nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service. All contributions made to the Konnarock Retreat House are fully tax deductable to the extent permitted by current Internal Revenue Service Tax Codes.