Meet the Huffman Family – Stewards of The Gilded Vale at Clover Hill

Hi there! We’re Kris, Alicia, Garrett, and Douglas Huffman—the family behind The Gilded Vale at Clover Hill, a historic wedding and event venue in Happy Valley, North Carolina. In 2024, after much prayer and reflection, we purchased the Clover Hill estate with the shared vision of restoring its elegance, honoring its heritage, and welcoming guests to experience its beauty for generations to come.

Rooted in Wilkes and Caldwell Counties, our family has deep ties to the land, the people, and the history of this region. Kris was born and raised in Wilkes County and has worked for over 20 years in construction, electrical systems, and building management. Alicia grew up in Happy Valley, later moving to Wilkes, where she helped manage The Villages of Wilkes, a skilled care and assisted living facility, alongside her mother. After marriage, Kris joined the operation to oversee maintenance and grounds until the business was sold in 2020.

Today, we live in Ferguson, NC, and devote much of our time to the preservation and restoration of Clover Hill. Alicia’s mother, Carron, also joined the effort to restore Mae Ann’s Cottage—the estate’s former caretaker’s house—as additional guest accommodations, set to open in 2025.

Our Farming Heritage – SuddElle Farms at Clover Hill

SuddElle Farms, the agricultural arm of Clover Hill, celebrates our family’s farming legacy. The name combines the surnames of our grandparents, Suddreth and Eller, who were instrumental in shaping our values of faith, hard work, humility, and community.

  • Kris’s grandparents, Taft and Ola Eller, farmed livestock and produce in Wilkes County, operating one of the region’s original Holly Farms chicken houses.
  • Alicia’s grandparents, Charles and Lucille Suddreth, were Happy Valley natives who operated one of Caldwell County’s first mechanical dairy farms and a small rural grocery. Charles even helped bale hay at Clover Hill during Alicia’s childhood.

In 2025, we introduced the first livestock to SuddElle Farms with the addition of four heritage Olde English Southdown Babydoll sheep—Patterson, Lucy, Phoebe, and Caroline. They now roam the pastures of Clover Hill, continuing a rich agricultural tradition on the estate.

Preserving History, Creating Memories

After nearly two years of dedicated restoration, we plan to open The Gilded Vale at Clover Hill in Spring 2026 as a premier historic wedding venue in North Carolina. Our mission is to create a place where families and friends can gather, celebrate, and make cherished memories—surrounded by the natural beauty and historic character of Happy Valley.

It is our great joy and privilege to bring this beloved property back to life. We look forward to sharing it with you and ensuring your wedding or special event at Clover Hill is unforgettable.