One of Rappahannock's grand estates, "The Shade" has long played a prominent role in local history.  The Virginia vernacular farmhouse was built in the early 1800s and enlarged in the 19th and 20th centuries.  The farm, while no longer encompassing thousands of acres, has retained a core of 350 acre of fields, forests, ponds, river frontage, and some of the most spectacular views on the eastern seaboard.   It remains today a working cattle and hay farm in a charming and scenic setting. 

Residence

Originally designed as a simple farmhouse, the manor house on Locust Shade Farm has been enlarged several times over the past 200 years.  Most recently a new heating system has been installed and wiring updated.   The home maintains the charm of a simple Virginia farmhouse with larger reception rooms and cozy guest rooms.  

Main Level:

• Back Hall - An enclosed porch that serves as main hall and access to upper levels and main floor.  Wide room with space for coats and boots. 

• Parlor - This oversized living room has two seating areas and two fireplaces.

• Library - A light and airy room with large windows, woodstove/fireplace built-in bookcases.

• Garden Room - A small room with shelving for flower pots and a sink for watering house plants.

• Kitchen - A cozy farmhouse kitchen with fireplace.

• Front Porch -  A wide porch with two seating areas that connects the Library, Parlor, and Kitchen.

Upper Level:

• Master Suite - A large dressing room/sitting room with fireplace, a master bedroom with fireplace, and a full bath.

• Guest Bedroom 1 -  A cheerful room with a large fireplace.

• Guest Bedroom 2 -  A larger and light-filled bedroom.

• Upper Hall  - A wide landing with access to the front porch, master suite, guest room, and upper eaves rooms.

• Eaves Bedroom 1 - A smaller bedroom under the eaves with ensuite bath.

• Eaves Bedroom 2 - Additional bedroom with small fireplace. 

Lower Level:

• Entrance/Mud Room  -  Enclosed space for wood storage and side entrance to the lower level of the house.

• Laundry -  A large room under the kitchen with wash sink, work space, and laundry facilities.

• Family Room  -  A rustic basement room with fireplace, stone work and exposed beams.

• Systems Room - The furnace and other systems are housed in this room, with additional space for storage.

 

Interior Photo Galleries  - click on the photos below for a slideshow of interior photos

 

Outbuildings

The Farm includes numerous outbuildings and dependencies, some of which are maintained as follies or focal points, while others are fully modernized for daily use. 

• Guest Cottage -  A one bedroom, one bath cottage with charming living room and cozy stone fireplace ideal for extra guests.

• Pool - a small pool adjacent to the guest cottage for quick dips to cool off.

• Kennel - Old stone building with fenced dog run enclosure.

• Smokehouse - Currently used as a picturesque chicken coop, this stone building could be repurposed for a variety of uses.

• Tenant House - A stone cottage in a private setting with two small bedrooms, large living room and kitchen and back porch.

• Horse Barn -  A roomy eight stall barn with wide center aisles, large office, tack room, feed room, and additional storage space.   Large hay loft and covered turn-out space.

• Run-in Sheds - Two run-in sheds in enclosed paddocks near horse barn.

• Cabin ruin -  The vine-covered ruins of an old log cabin.

• Cattle Barn - An enormous cattle barn previously used to house dairy cattle, this structure could be converted to a number of uses.

• White Barn - An open entrance barn with old log interiors that faces the main house as focal counter-point along the dogwood lined main drive.

• Equipment Shed - A charming storage shed for lawn and garden equipment.

• Schoolhouse - a 'ruin' with a variety of potential uses and potential to rehabilitate as a second guest or tenant house.

• Woodshed - A large shed attached to the pond house used for wood storage.

• Pond House - currently unused, in years past a spot for entertaining near the pond.

Exterior and Outbuilding Photo Gallery - click on photo for a slideshow presentation

Grounds

There are outstanding view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah National Park from almost anywhere on the 350 acre property.   The farm includes fenced paddocks for horses, fenced cattle and hayfields, a large pond, and many garden areas, including a collection of antique boxwoods.   The scenic Covington River forms the northern boundary of the property.    Smaller acreage is also available in 50 or 147 acre parcels.

Grounds Photo Gallery - click on photo for a slideshow presentation

 

 

Other

Location:  Locust Shade Farm is located on Rudasill Mill Road, a Virginia Scenic Byway near the historic town of Washington in Rappahannock County.   The property lies in the Thornton Hill Hounds foxhunting territory and is ideally situated for hunting with Thornton Hill or the Rappahannock Hunt.  Approximately 80 miles from Washington, DC, the travel time from the farm to downtown DC is 1 Hour and 30 minutes.  Approximately 75 minutes to Dulles International Airport, 50 minutes to Charlottesville,  20 minutes to Warrenton, and 20 minutes to Culpeper.

Amenities:   Rappahannock County is a close-knit rural community with excellent theater, concerts, art galleries, wineries, and the Shenandoah National Park.   “Little” Washington, the county seat is the home of world renowned Inn at Little Washington and shops and theater.   The Chateauville Foundation sponsors an annual arts festival nearby.  The nearby village of  Sperryville is home to the Thornton River Grille, art galleries and other establishments.  Equestrian activities (fox-hunting, trail riding, dressage) are very popular local pursuits.

MLS#  RP7071841

List Price:  $4,495,000

Listing Agent:  Alan Zuschlag (540) 270-8150

Plat: Click Here