Fantasy Farm Friday: Huntland in Middleburg, VA
If you’re a fox hunter and a history buff, this incredible equestrian estate could be for you — for a cool $7.5M.
Okay, so admittedly this one isn’t exactly my cup of tea. It doesn’t really seem like the kind of place where I could kick my feet up and relax or throw a rager with my closest horse buddies. That said, I wouldn’t exactly turn it down, either. I mean, 129 acres in Virginia? Complete with a jaw dropping barns, kennels, pastures, paddocks, and all the amenities? Yes, PLEASE.
Huntland, circa. 1834, is one of the most remarkable Hunt Country Estates. This estate was purchased in 2007 by Dr. Betsee Parker, who had a keen interest in historic preservation. So she took on the biggest preservation project of her life: restoring Huntland to its 1915 grandeur. When Dr. Parker purchased Huntland, it was in serious disrepair and uninhabitable. However, after Dr. Parker’s extensive and meticulous research and after years of work using old world craftsmanship, Huntland is once again the exquisite estate it was in the early 1900s, when owned by Joseph Thomas.
Originally named New Lisbon, the two-story center section of the home dates to 1834 and was built and owned by William Benton. After purchasing this estate in 1912, Joe Thomas commissioned Peabody, Wilson & Brown, a prestigious New York architectural firm, to transform this estate into a world class hunt estate. Before addressing the manor house, they were commissioned to design kennels and stables to rival the best in the world.
Tremendous amount of attention was given to all details. A south and north wing were added to the two-story center section, each opening out to a covered porch. The south wing is an impressive primary suite with sitting room, and the north wing is the grand dining room/ballroom.
Huntland sits on 129 beautifully landscaped and fenced acres of verdant pastures and fields. It’s located in the Piedmont Hunt Territory, and has hosted many hunt meets, hunt breakfasts, hunt balls, charity events, and dignitaries — including several presidents.
The stables and kennels are magnificent U-shaped buildings with a central square courtyard, built with emphasis for what is best for the hounds, the horses, and the huntsman. It was Joe Thomas who named this estate Huntland, which is not just a name, but is the very essence of this estate.
In addition to the manor house, kennels and horse stables, elaborate walls, gates and bridges were added, as well as English gardens, and cottages.
Oh, and don’t forget the guest cottage…
Huntland has been placed into a perpetual conservation and open-space easement with The Virginia Outdoors Foundation and is also registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Located in Loudoun County in the exquisite countryside of the Virginia Piedmont, its sited at the intersection of Foxcroft Road and Pot House Road. Huntland is approximately 4.5 miles north of Middleburg, within minutes of the prestigious girls school of Foxcroft, and convenient to Dulles International Airport and Washington, D.C. .
You can get more information and the full listing here. All photos are from HorseProperties.net and realtor.com.