HUNTLAND, ca. 1834, is one of the most remarkable Hunt Country Estates. Dr. Betsee Parker’s keen interest in historic preservation as well as her love of the countryside surrounding Middleburg prompted her to take on the biggest preservation project of her life: restoring Huntland to its 1915 grandeur. In 2007, when Dr. Parker purchased Huntland, it was in serious disrepair and uninhabitable. After Dr. Parker’s extensive and meticulous research and after years of work using old world craftsmanship, Huntland is once again the exquisite estate as in the early 1900’s, when owned by Joseph Thomas. Sited on 129 beautifully landscaped and fenced acres of verdant pastures and fields, Huntland is also a working farm. Located in the Piedmont Hunt Territory, Huntland has hosted many hunt meets, hunt breakfasts, hunt balls, charity events, and dignitaries including several Presidents. Wanting to protect this estate for future generations, Dr. Parker placed Huntland into a perpetual conservation and open-space easement with The Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Huntland is also registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Originally named New Lisbon, the 2-story center section of the home dates to 1834 and was built and owned by William Benton. In the early 1800’s Benton was in the employ of President James Monroe who hired him to be the overseer of his Aldie farm of Oak Hill. After observing Benton’s work ethic and attention to detail he also put him in charge of overseeing the building of the manor house of Oak Hill. Benton went on to become a prominent builder in the Middleburg area, and his descendants remained at New Lisbon until 1895.
Joe Thomas, after purchasing this estate in 1912, commissioned Peabody, Wilson & Brown, a prestigious New York Architectural Firm to transform this estate into a world class hunt estate. Prior to addressing the manor house, they were commissioned to design Kennels and Stables to rival the very best in the world. 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, it is the very essence of this estate. In Marc Leepson’s book, Huntland, he quoted Norman Fine in Foxhunting Life, “Thomas was a founding member of the American Foxhound Club, Master of the Piedmont Fox Hounds, and author of Hounds and Hunting Through the Ages, the first comprehensive book on hunting with hounds ever written by an American. Thomas became the largest breeder of foxhounds for mounted packs in North America and helped to define the American foxhound breed.”
Peabody, Wilson & Brown also designed the renovation and expansion of the original Federal Style home to today’s stately brick Colonial Revival-style mansion. Tremendous amount of attention was given to all details. A south and north wing were added to the 2-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. In addition to the manor house, kennels and horse stables, elaborate walls, gates and bridges were added, as well as English gardens, and cottages.
The iconic estate of Huntland has a rich history and with considerable thanks to Dr. Parker, it will enjoy a rich future. Located in Loudoun County in the exquisite countryside of the Virginia Piedmont, it’s 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. .
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Listing provided by John Coles
Thomas & Talbot Real Estate
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