The Story

This is not the beginning of the story.

The story begins over twenty-three years ago when Lillian Merritt is brought home to a 100-year-old house. She will one day grow up to adore the old and abandoned houses strewn across the country.

And yet, even that isn’t the true beginning of the story. One would have to go back to the very first house that was left abandoned. The first home to end up empty, forgotten, and slowly rotting away over time. That would be an adequate start to the story that picks up with Lillian’s passion to do something about the fading stories found in abandoned buildings.

What began as a deep-rooted desire to see historic properties returned to life transformed into a plan to combine this desire with her love for the arts. And so ReStory was born. A historic home taken from its abandoned state and transformed into the foundation for an artist residency, giving these structures a second life while supporting the artistic industry.

As an artist herself, Lillian Merritt understands the importance of space in the creation process. Inspiring surroundings filled with story can add an intriguing layer of inspiration to the Artist’s process. This is why the stories and beauty once apparent in these old structures are brought back to life to serve as inspiration for future creation.

With ReStory Arts Foundation, each residency space is unique from the next. Revitalized and saved historic properties provide the foundation for time and space away from the chaos of normal life for artists looking to dedicate themselves to their craft.

A young woman with long dark curly hair, wearing a black sleeveless top and blue jeans, stands in a doorway of a partially demolished room with debris and torn drywall on the floor.

Lillian Merritt is a Fine Art Photographer & Choreographer. Her artistic portfolio can be found here.

Person wearing a mask, goggles, and boots standing on the steps of an old, weathered house, holding a small object in their hands. The house has peeling paint, and is surrounded by trees and grass.

Restoring the past to serve the future

A woman sitting on a stone bench in a wooded area, writing in a notebook with trees and fallen leaves around her.

Featured on

Artful Traveler - November Artful Insights Newsletter - Nov 2025

“I recently had the privilege of meeting the remarkable Lillian Merritt—and let me tell you, she is every bit as inspiring live (ok, live via zoom) as she looks on paper…What strikes me most about Lillian is how seamlessly and successfully she blends artistic vision with social purpose. Through ReStory, she’s awakening forgotten spaces and inviting other artists into the fold. It’s a vivid reminder that art isn’t limited to the artist's paintings or photos; it’s also the environments we build to nurture those who create.”
- Kelly at the Artful Traveler

The Mike Show - Maker Monday - Mar 2026

“This is so unique. If you’re an artist, you need a space to really create and really reflect and really think. And that is a beautiful property as it is now even while in progress. ”
- Mike McKendree
“There’s so much you can continue to do with it. So I’m so excited to be part of the beginning process. I think the Lynchburg community, too, is excited to see things like this coming to our area. It’s so important to have artists no matter where you go. They really are a life blood of excitement in a town.”
- Mollie Walsh