Happy birthday, Mr. President.
During February’s annual Presidents Day holiday, we can only imagine how George Washington, the nation’s first leader, celebrated his 67 birthdays — especially during the fêtes of his eight years in office.
But we do know one thing. Washington, along with other early presidents — like James Madison, James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson — frequently visited a Virginia estate called Castle Hill, where dinners were held and guests danced to the melodies of musical instruments and even stayed overnight when the need arose.
That was then. Today, this restored, 9,084-square-foot Albemarle County property can be yours for a cool $11.5 million.
“It’s between three presidents’ homes,” says Nest Realty listing broker Bob Headrick of Castle Hill, which is located within horse-and-carriage distance of Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland in Charlottesville and James Madison’s Montpelier in Orange — all in Virginia.
Today, it would take about 30 minutes by car to reach Castle Hill from any of the other estates. Explains Headrick, “It seemed like a central point for everyone to meet.”
Who knows how long it took for the presidents to reach these 1764-constructed digs by horse, but beyond convenience, the estate was also a symbolic property for one of these founding fathers: Jefferson.
A man named Thomas Walker — who was a physician, an early American explorer and a commissary of Virginia troops during the French and Indian War — was appointed guardian of a teenage Jefferson after the death of his father, and he was the owner of Castle Hill. Moreover, their relationship spanned years.
Walker nabbed the spread through his marriage to the widow Mildred Thornton Meriwether, whose eldest son, John, was actually an aide to then-General Washington during the American Revolution. (Likely another reason Washington frequented the place.)
The current owners have held this brick-clad property for over 10 years, and it’s been on the market for just under two.
Even centuries after its construction, it has maintained its status as a private residence. And it’s definitely also maintained its status as an entertainer’s haven.
Its land runs an impressive 601 acres at the foot of the Southwest Mountains, with 175 of these acres designated for open land. There’s a total of five bedrooms, five bathrooms and one half-bath.
Features include: a Christopher Peacock-designed kitchen; a pool house with kitchen, changing rooms and full bathrooms; and a renovated cottage for guests. There’s also a horse barn, plus restored gardens and a pool.
And of course, its interiors look colonial-chic, with wooden beams, exposed brick, decorative window treatments and mighty fireplaces.
Not surprisingly, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.