Our Roots

Slate & Stone is rooted in the rugged beauty of the Hocking Hills—120 acres of sandstone ridges, slate-lined creeks, towering pines, and wide-open sky. The land speaks in textures and tones, and we’ve done our best to listen, shaping each space with care and respect for what was already here.

This place began as a shared vision, shaped by Tom and Connie Williamson—both U.S. Army veterans who found purpose in travel, storytelling, and the simple joy of welcoming others. Tom, a retired Airborne Ranger and southern Ohio native, is a natural host with a deep appreciation for tradition and a long memory. His stories span military life and Appalachian folklore, passed along through conversation and time. Connie, raised in Wisconsin and a former teacher, feels most at home hosting gatherings, and creating a sense of home.

That same spirit guides how we host today. From the way the cabins are designed to the details we leave behind, everything is shaped by a belief that comfort, care, and connection matter. Our hope is simple: that you arrive feeling welcomed, and leave feeling restored.

What started as a dream to create a quiet, welcoming escape has grown into a family-run 5-star retreat — a space where guests can unplug, explore, and reconnect with nature and themselves.

That vision lives on today through their daughter, Patty, and her husband, Aaron, who care for and operate Slate & Stone with intention, heart, and hospitality. We live here. We walk these trails. And we welcome every guest not as a visitor, but as a neighbor, a fellow traveler, a friend.