SOLD!

One of Virginia's most historic homes, Montpelier has been fortunate to survive three centuries of change and yet it has witnessed both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars virtually untouched - in terms of its 18th century interior, exterior, and its surrounding pastoral landscape.  Not to be confused with James Madison's Montpelier in nearby Orange County, the Montpelier estate in Rappahannock is on both the Virginia and National Registers of Historic Places.   Today it remains one of the Northern Piedmont's most beloved landmarks.

Built in 1740, this fine example of Georgian architecture still exemplifies all the traditions of Virginia country living.   Today the estate encompasses 173.6 acres of prime pasture and woodland nestled among spectacular views of the Blue Ridge mountains and the rolling piedmont countryside.  The clear waters of the Hazel River meander through granite outcroppings on the northern edge of the property, while smaller springs form a wetland area on the southern border.   

Residence

Built as a mountain retreat for the Thornton family of Frederickburg, Montpelier was designed to be only one room deep and thus allow cooling mountain breezes to circulate.   Nearly 300 years later, this design is so effective that modern air conditioning is scarcely ever needed.  Each floor of the house consists of four connected rooms with a center stair case and two side staircases between the upper and main floors. While retaining every bit of its 18th century character, Montpelier was thoroughly modernized in 2004-2005 to provide the latest in 21st century amenities and comforts.  

Main Level:

• Center Hall (21x13) - Center hallway opening to the parlor and the music room as well as front and back entrances.  A grand center staircase leads to the upper level.

• Parlor (18 x 18) - This formal room features the original 18th century moldings, plaster and hardwood floors, and also includes a working fireplace and window seats.

• Hessian Room (18 x 18) - This room features magnificent faux bois and faux marbre detailing on the doors, paneling and mantelpiece.  The ceiling painting is attributed to Hessian soldiers bivouacked at Montpelier during the Revolutionary War.   An en suite powder room is hidden behind a closet door.

• Music Room (18 x 18) - This room doubles as an upstairs dining room.  It features the original chair rail and crown moldings, window seats and a working fireplace

• Family Room (18 x 18) - This cheerful room is carpeted for family use (with the original 18th century floorboards intact).   An en suite powder room is discretely tucked away under the hall stairway.

Upper Level:

• Children's Suite (20 x 19) - This room has been divided and carpeted to create two small bedrooms with study areas and a full bath.   The room division can be removed to recreate the original 18th century room dimensions.

• Master Bedroom (19 x 19) -  A quiet room with a large fireplace and beautiful views of the pastures to the east and the Blue Ridge mountains to the west.   Powder room ensuite.

• Master Bath  (8 x 13)  -   A full bath adjacent to the Master bedroom and Washington bedroom with shower/tub.

• Washington Bedroom (20 x 19) - George Washington is reputed to have slept in this room on several occasions.   Fireplace and views much like the master bedroom.

• Office/Guest Bedroom (18 x 19) - Additional bedroom with smaller inner office and small fireplace. 

Lower Level:

• Mud Room  (17 x 14) -  Large room with original oversized kitchen fireplace.  Tile flooring with radiant heat.  A section of the room is enclosed as a full sized laundry room and half bath.

• Kitchen (18 x 18) -  A large eat-in country kitchen with stone walls, window seats, fireplace, and all the modern conveniences.  Tile flooring with radiant heat.  Exposed beams.

• Stairway landing and Wine Cellar (18 x 12) -  Downstairs landing with access to patio.  The wine cellar under the stairway can also be used as a pantry.

• Dining Room  (18 x 18)  -  Stone walls, fireplace, exposed beams and window seats make this room both rustic and formal at the same time.  Tile flooring with radiant heat.

• Systems Room (18 x 18) -  The furnace and other systems are housed in this large room, with plenty of additional space for storage.

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

Outbuildings

The estate includes numerous outbuildings and dependencies.  All are in excellent shape and currently in use. 

• Cottage -  A one bedroom, one bath cottage with full kitchen and living area ideal for extra guests or tenant housing.

• Pump House -  A small concrete building housing the well and old pump, and providing additional storage space.

• Ice House - A picturesque flanking dependency with storage space covering a spectacular stone lined ice chamber.

• Smoke House - Another flanking dependency currently used for storage.

• Corn Crib - A 19th century grain storage barn currently used for storage

• Garage - A two car garage located near the barns.

• Horse barn - A large multipurpose barn with space for up to eight box stalls.  

• Storage barn - A medium sized barn suitable for smaller livestock or poultry.

• Poll House - A one room building at the edge of the estate used as a polling station for many years.

• Airplane Hangars - Three metal buildings of varying size adjacent to the airstrip suitable for sheltering smaller aircraft or converted to use as barns or other storage buildings.

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 property.   The estate includes a grass airstrip, over 100 acres of pasturage, and over 70 acres of protected woodlands, fields, and meadows.   The Hazel River, a pristine waterway protected by the CREP Program, provides wonderful fishing and swimming opportunities.  There are several paddocks fenced for horses, while the remaining fields and pastures are fence for cattle in high tensile and four board fencing.  There is also a cattle handling corral and chute. 

Grounds Photo Gallery - click on photo for a slideshow presentation

Other

Location:  Montpelier is located on Rt. 231, a Virginia Scenic Byway near the village of Sperryville 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 45 minutes (in low traffic situations).  Approximately 75 minutes to Dulles International Airport, 50 minutes to Charlottesville,  40 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#  RP6902768

List Price:  $2,900,000

Listing Agent:  Alan Zuschlag (540) 270-8150

Plat: Click Here