Who We Are

William A. (Bill) Willits had the foresight and purpose to preserve the Verdurette house indefinitely. His wish was to see it restored and loved as he himself did, to best perform this wish he put the house into a historical preservation trust - Matt Willits (grandson)

Trustees:
J.R. DeLap - President
Diane Burau (Willits) - Secretary/Treasurer
Steve Willits - Trustee
Sharyn Eisdorfer (Willits) - Trustee
Alan Willits - Trustee
Kent Wedean - Trustee
"Boo" Wendt - Trustee

Our History

William Drury came to this area in 1833 and thought it was "God's Country." Within a short time, he owned land from the Edwards River bottom to the Bluff. Mr. Drury married Vashti Lewis of Indiana in 1840. A new home was built for his bride called "Verdurette" In 1855. A carriage house, barns, elaborate fountains and statues on the lawn, and an octagonal brick windmill tower all added to this stately home. A deer park was located across the road from the main buildings. Verdurette even had its own power plant. William Drury died in 1897. Mrs. Vashti Drury died in 1909. In 1919 the Willits Family purchased this stately mansion and made it their home.