For Sale: Historic Homes From America's Founding Era

For Sale: Historic Homes From America's Founding Era

Living in Loudoun County, we enjoy a treasure trove of American history. As such, the past comes alive through the elegant and timeless architecture of homes built around the time of the nation's founding. Loudoun and the surrounding counties, known for their scenic beauty and rich heritage, offer a unique opportunity to own a piece of history. At any given time, one can usually find at least a couple properties built in the 18th century that are available to purchase, and now is no exception.  In this blog, we'll take you on a journey through the charming houses for sale in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties that date back to our nation's founding. Each property embodies the craftsmanship and enduring elegance of America's early days, providing a perfect blend of historical significance and modern comfort. 

8022 Rockingham Road. Listed by: Scott Buzzelli and Kevin Chung, Middleburg Real Estate. Photo courtesy of BrightMLS

8022 ROCKINGHAM ROAD, WARRENTON, VA 20186

Rockingham Farm sits atop 166 bucolic acres, enough land to really feel like you could go back in time to a bygone era. Rockingham’s rich history runs from its circa 1740 humble beginnings as a two-story, stucco-covered log cabin through to its current footprint as a four-story masterpiece finished circa 1920. Wide, gracious hallways open to high ceilings and rooms suffused in natural light. Original silver-plated sconces adorn the living room, which are remnants of another time -when gas lights illuminated soft evenings. Other original details include the Rumford style fireplaces, hardwood floors, tall mouldings and solid wood doors.

For all its historic charm, the main house at Rockingham has been outfitted with modern comforts and conveniences, including the three-zone system of central air conditioning and heating. In addition, four of the seven fireplaces have gas-log inserts, and a whole-house Generac generator was installed in 2020 for added peace of mind.  As with many properties of this era, there are several outbuildings and guest/tenant houses. There is a custom detached garage with a modern apartment, and two cottages (one is circa 1920) on the property offer their own blend of comfort and character, equally welcoming for extended family, as rentals, or for AirBnB guests. As a largely fenced, working cattle farm with regenerative features, Rockingham comes with a long barn complete with infrastructure in place for a successful livestock operation. Contributing to the sense of history and the days before the automobile, Rockingham boasts lovely equestrian facilities, including five stalls, a tack room, and a small riding ring behind the barn plus plenty of trails for gentle hacking.  Listed at $5,250,000.

42274 CHESTNUT HILL LANE, LEESBURG, VA 20176

42274 Chestnut Hill Lane. Listed by: Vicky Noufal, The Platinum Group, REAL Broker. Photo courtesy of BrightMLS.

Chestnut Hill Mansion has a rich heritage and an important place in America's and Virginia's history.  It was once the residence of Thomson Francis Mason, an accomplished lawyer and former mayor of Alexandria, who was the grandson of George Mason, IV, a founding father of the United States. The Mason family occupied the house for a span of a century. Constructed around 1766, the house was a stucco-covered two-story fieldstone dwelling, likely built by an English Baptist during the Great Awakening. It is steeped in Revolutionary War-era history, and was owned by Colonel Josias Clapham during the war. It survived the Civil War and the burning of much of the South. It is believed that an original copy of the Virginia Declaration of Rights was housed at Chestnut Hill during the Mason family's ownership which was later sold to the National Archives in 1930. From Colonel Josias Clapham's ownership during the Revolutionary War to subsequent proprietors like the Mason family and Lucy and Coleman Gore (Coleman was the Uncle of Vice President Al Gore), each era has left an indelible mark on the estate's story, shaping its character and grandeur.

Chestnut Hill is a magnificent 18th-century Federal-style mansion & farm strategically located on a picturesque knoll on 20.02 acres. Comprising more than 5000 square feet, it commands breathtaking mountain views, blending historic charm with modern amenities. As was typical for historic properties, there are several outbuildings including the carriage house, dairy structure, a stable, and a family cemetery dating back to the 19th century. Chestnut Hill has been beautifully preserved over the years, offering many original features such as original windows, exquisite trim work, dramatic tall ceilings, original wood flooring, fixtures, charming built-in cabinetry and eleven fireplaces. This rare and special property offers a glimpse into Virginia's rich past while providing a unique opportunity to create new memories within its historic walls. Listed at $2,695,000.

 

21056 BEAVERDAM BRIDGE RD, MIDDLEBURG, VA 20117

21056 Beaverdam Bridge Rd. Listed by: Mark Laing, Mark Laing Realty Group, Keller Williams Realty. Photo courtesy of BrightMLS

Affectionately called Turkey Roost Farm, this circa 1750’s farmhouse is nestled on 14 acres in Middleburg's picturesque countryside. Period features, such as the log walls, wood-burning and stone fireplaces, and beamed ceilings maintain this home's historic charm while seamlessly blending with recent updates.

This 3700 square foot home offers 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, including a gorgeous primary ensuite bath with soaking tub and spacious shower. The heart of the home is the gourmet chef's kitchen, featuring a large Viking cooktop, soapstone counters, large custom wood island with storage, and stainless-steel appliances.  As mentioned previously, many historic properties offer outbuildings and guest houses, and this property is no exception. A 1 bedroom/1 bath charming cottage gives guests a space of their own, and a 5-stall barn and other horse amenities satisfy the equestrian enthusiast. Rural vistas and historic charm come together at this lovely 18th century estate.  Listed for $2,185,000.

If you're interested in learning more about these properties or would like help finding your dream historic property in Northern Virginia, please reach out to me. I'd love to find you the perfect place to call your own!

 

 

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