Listed by Mo Covington of Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty
A large tract of land in Virginia offers plenty of history and intriguing potential.
Spread over 130 acres, Liberty Farm in King George, VA, dates back to the Revolutionary War. It’s on the market for $1.95 million, and a buyer will acquire the main house and a guesthouse, as well as several barns and storage buildings.
The main home dates to 1796, and was passed down through many generations of the same family.
“People just handed it down to individuals, whether they cared to take it or not. Unfortunately, one family member really wasn’t into it,” explains the current owner, Josette Gleason. “It sort of fell into a state of disrepair. Then a person who took it over brought it back to what we would consider somewhat more modern times.”
Whoever buys the historic farm will be only the fourth person to own the property who was not a member of the original family.
The main house has 6,000 square feet of living space, with four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.
“I would call it a center-hall Colonial, built in an L-shape. It has had two major renovations,” Gleason explains.
When it was built in the late 18th century, the house did not have kitchens or a bathroom, as was typical at the time.
The most recent renovation took place in 2000, when the Gleasons bought it. Today, the showpiece of the home is the kitchen. It’s been featured in several magazines.
“It’s my baby. I designed the kitchen,” Gleason says. “I used to have a food education and catering business, and so it’s a place where the family could gather. If a family likes to cook together, you’ve got an ideal kitchen for it.”
There are multiple ovens, dishwashers, sinks, and other accoutrements designed for a home chef.
Other highlights include a formal dining and living room, four fireplaces, and an outdoor pool.
As for the guesthouse, it’s 1,500 square feet and has two bedrooms and a bathroom.
“The main house was in such disrepair in the early 1900s that the guy who brought it back to life built the guest cottage to live in while the house was being [updated] with modern electricity and water,” Gleason says.
She adds that the main house was shuttered and abandoned for some time, and was uninhabitable at the dawn of the 20th century.
Set on on a hill, the home captures breezes coming off the nearby Potomac River. Wildlife is abundant in the nearby forest.
“The first thought that comes to my mind is privacy. You are totally surrounded by mature trees. If you’re into running around naked, no problem. It’s really private,” Gleason says with a laugh. “I didn’t realize how much I appreciated the privacy until I lived here for a couple of years.”
Seven barns and storage structures dot the land—some in better condition than others. They’re all structurally sound, but will require updates. One of them comes with a dose of history.
“One of the barns was a cavalry remount station,” Gleason explains.
When the nearby Army and Navy troops would move soldiers and supplies by horse, they would need a place to stop for their steeds.
“This property had a stop on a main road where they could refresh the horses. They would come in, they would get food, they could get their water,” she adds.
While the purpose of the remount station is clear, how the property itself came to be known as Liberty Farm is a bit fuzzy.
“I can’t answer why it was named Liberty Farm,” Gleason says, adding that the name appears in all the historical supporting documentation. “One can only imagine that the time and the sentiment around America at that point was liberty and freedom. If I had to guess, that’s what I’d say.”
Whoever buys the property will enjoy the freedom to choose what to do with it.
“The perfect buyer could be someone who is really into history and who values the historic relevance of this property. Additionally, on the flip side of that, there are no covenants or restrictions in place right now. So if somebody wanted to come in and develop the land further, they really could,” says the listing agent for the property, Maurice Covington with Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty.
“There are endless possibilities with this property. It could be great for someone who wanted secure and private living and who appreciates its history, but also great for someone who wanted to come in and maybe develop and be kind of close to the Potomac and Washington, DC,” he says.
Gleason says she feels the history wafting throughout the house.
“I’m an owner as far as the bank is concerned, but I’m just the next caretaker of this place,” she says. “Many people have come before me—builders, caretakers. I’m just the next caretaker, and so we’re hoping to find someone who loves it and appreciates it as much as we do, to be the next caretaker.”
- For more photos and details, check out the full listing!
Article courtesy of Realtor.com