Our Story
A Place Built on Gratitude
Corton Lodge began during founder Ryan Stamm’s journey living with Parkinson’s disease. What started as a restoration project became a lesson in patience, presence, and gratitude. Parkinson’s slowed the pace of the work and reshaped its meaning, teaching that progress does not always come through speed, but through care and attention.
Ryan’s original mission was simple. He wanted to bring people to West Virginia to experience its beauty, serenity, and peace. The quiet rivers, wooded hills, and unhurried rhythm offered a place to slow down and truly be present. As that mission took shape, so did the understanding that restoring a place could also restore perspective.
As Ryan learned to build with gratitude—for ability, for time, and for place—the lodge itself took form the same way. The work became less about finishing and more about honoring what already existed.
Corton Lodge sits along the Elk River inside a restored church built in 1913. Original hardwood floors, wood-paneled walls, and vaulted ceilings were preserved wherever possible. Modern comfort was added carefully, never at the expense of the building’s soul.
Today, Corton Lodge exists as a place of stillness and connection. Every detail reflects lessons learned slowly. Gratitude deepens meaning. Presence matters. Restoration can be both physical and personal.
As an expression of gratitude, Corton Lodge quietly supports Parkinson’s-related causes, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Parkinson’s Foundation. This support is not part of a campaign and is never a condition of staying here—it is simply part of the lodge’s foundation.
The full story of this journey is shared in Corton Lodge: A Story of Restoration and Hope.
Our Mission
Our mission is to invite people into the beauty, serenity, and peace of West Virginia through a meaningful lodging experience rooted in history, nature, and calm. Corton Lodge is a place to slow down and rediscover gratitude.
Our Values
Gratitude is the foundation of Corton Lodge—gratitude for the land, the history held within these walls, and the opportunity to restore rather than replace. Thoughtful hospitality guides everything we do. Preservation, sustainability, and authenticity shape each decision. From the craftsmanship in the details to the way guests are welcomed, our values reflect care, presence, and respect.
Preserving Our Heritage
Throughout the restoration, we preserved as much of the original structure as possible. The church bell in the steeple remains a symbol of the building’s past and the care taken to carry its story forward. Corton Lodge stands as a testament to patience, gratitude, and purpose.
From Ruin to Revival
A look at the journey from forgotten to unforgettable.