Elegant manor house surrounded by extensive gardens
Imagine owning an estate renowned for its unobstructed views of the Potomac River and impeccably maintained gardens. Just 20 minutes from Washington, DC, River Farm, a sweeping 27.5-acre property located on the Potomac River, is on the market for the first time in nearly 50 years.
The charm of the past envelops you immediately upon entering the property. As you wind through the circular driveway you will see the 11,000 square foot stone manor house nestled in an elegant park-like setting. As you gaze across the gardens, you’ll take in expansive views of the Potomac River.
Step through the front door of the stately manor house into a welcoming foyer. To the right, you’ll find a large parlor with beautiful trim work and just beyond the foyer, a dining room perfect for entertaining. Walk down the hallway and you’ll find two bathrooms, an office, and a gracious ballroom with spectacular views of the grounds and river. Ascend the stairs to the second level, and you’ll find six bedrooms and four bathrooms. The lower level of the home contains ample storage. Original trim, windows and floors are found throughout the home, and the Potomac is visible from many of the rooms.
Just off the ballroom is a large bluestone terrace framed on one side by a stately hedge of English boxwood. As you tour the property, you’ll encounter a series of perennial gardens, children’s gardens, and a naturalistic four-acre meadow. River Farm also includes a carriage house, cottage and two storage garages.
History
River Farm’s first owners were the Brents, an English Catholic family active in early colonial Maryland. In 1653 or 1654, Giles Brent obtained 1,800 acres for his son, Giles, Jr. and his wife, a princess of the Piscataway tribe. This grant of 1,800 acres, named Piscataway Neck, included the land that is now River Farm.
In 1760, George Washington bought the land for £1,210. Along with the purchase of three other nearby tracts, Washington consolidated his holdings into a single, contiguous plantation of approximately 7,400 acres. River Farm became the northernmost of Washington’s five farms.
Malcolm Matheson bought the property in 1919 and remodeled the home into a charming early-20th Century country estate that stands today. In 1973, American Horticultural Society (AHS) board member and philanthropist Enid Annenberg Haupt provided funds for the AHS to purchase the property. Since its founding in 1922, AHS has educated Americans about and advocated for Earth-friendly and sustainable gardening practices.
Neighborhood/Community - Fort Hunt
The serene property is only 20 minutes south of Washington, DC, but you’ll feel a world away. River Farm is located south of Old Town Alexandria in the quiet and leafy Fort Hunt neighborhood of Fairfax County.
The scenic, 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail passes just outside the front gates. Additional recreational opportunities abound. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is just three minutes north, and Fort Hunt Park is an equal distance to the south.
Drive Times
Old Town Alexandria: 12 min
National Airport: 18 min
Downtown DC: 28 min
Amazon HQ2: 21 min
Pentagon: 20 min
Fort Belvoir: 17 min
National Harbor: 13 min
Metro—Eisenhower Ave. (Yellow line): 12 min
Metro—King Street (Yellow/Blue lines): 14 min