When it comes to what makes a property “historic”, there are various academic definitions. For most people, there’s old. And there’s really old. In celebrating the latter, we’ve put together some of our favorite historic properties that are really historic, dating back as far as the early 1700s. We compiled the properties that we felt not only respect the original design intent and architecture of the period, but also bring these historic properties into the now from a style and functionality standpoint beautifully. It so happens that all of this week’s properties are on the East coast since that is where our history as a country began. Whether it was the architectural style, the property, the interior design or the backstories of these homes, if these walls could only talk we would love to listen!
Moor Green (c. 1815)
This stunning colonial located in Manassas, Virginia epitomizes classic elegance. The interior offers architectural details galore including exposed beams, heart pine flooring, detailed molding, pocket doors, and seven wood burning fireplaces (to ensure warmth and romance!). The kitchens and bathrooms have been tastefully updated and cohesively blend with the rest of the home. The grounds of this historic estate are equally stunning with a gorgeous in-ground pool to cool off in on the hot summer days with a separate pool house, a smokehouse, and multiple patios. For all of you horse lovers out there this property also boasts a four-stall barn, riding ring and two pastures. There is no doubt that this house has been well-loved through the years and it shows both inside and out. This classic Virginia estate is perfect for anyone who appreciates vintage details and entertaining. We could certainly imagine our lives living here!
18th Century Farmhouse (c. 1800 and 1730)
Every house has a story. This historic Wagontown, Pennsylvania property is lucky enough to have three distinct stories that are a result of additions to the original structure that have occurred over two centuries. The original farmhouse dates back to 1800 and is connected to a relocated log cabin from Lancaster that dates back to 1730 via a German clapboard “hyphen”, which in architectural speak means connector or link. The interior of the home has the original hardwood floors, exposed post and beam ceilings, historically accurate fixtures, exposed stone walls, built-ins and intricate moldings for those who appreciate classic Americana vintage details. The property offers three riverfront acres with several out-buildings and sits above Brandywine Creek offering gorgeous views year-round. For all of you nature lovers, the property is located next to Hibernia Park, which has nine-hundred acres of fields, meadows, streams, and picnic areas for all of your outdoor activities. This historic home is down right adorable, cozy and we would happily live here. Add in the healthy, active lifestyle at your fingertips and it is a win win!
Griffith Worthington House (c. 1776)
This regal example of an early American Georgian Federal style home is located in the fantastic coastal town of Annapolis, Maryland and is one of the finest historic homes in the area. Known as the Griffith Worthington House, the home maintains most of the late 18th Century architectural details including the original floors (with a few stories of their own to tell), detailed moldings, transom windows, and interior french doors. This is a classically designed home whose architectural design is timeless and whose details are always in style. The updates throughout have been sensitively considered and flow beautifully with the rest of the home. This property is not only gorgeous both on the inside and out, but is literally surrounded by American history and is steps away from the Naval Academy, the State House and the ever-vibrant Annapolis dock. Lets not overlook the inherent lifestyle that comes along with living here. Coastal living in a historic home in an awesome historic city––sounds good to us!
Historic Quaker Hill (c. 1770)
This precious farmhouse located in bucolic Pawling, New York has a classic Hudson Valley historic pedigree. Legend has it that four presidents stayed here including Washington, Coolidge, Hoover, and Roosevelt. Madam Curie was also a guest in this home. Not only has this property been visited by many notable historic individuals, but it is also cozy, warm, bright, and updated for modern living. The interior still has many original details including beamed ceilings and the original hardwood floors while also offering central air conditioning, and an open-concept farm-chic kitchen perfect for entertaining. The over four-acre property also boasts a separate tea house and summer guest cottage, a pond with a stream, extensive formal gardens (including a tree Madam Curie gifted during her stay here), and is adjacent to a trail system for hiking and riding. An adorable historic farmhouse with ties to notable historical figures in a beautiful part of New York—What’s not to like?
Cedar Farm (c. 1789)
Historic Cedar Farm is located in Charlotte, Vermont and is a gorgeous fourteen-acre farmhouse waterfront estate that has over seven-hundred feet of private beach on Lake Champlain. The main house built in 1789 was constructed with stone foundation walls three feet thick—each stone towed in on ice sleds from Fort Ticonderoga over forty miles away. The property is also protected on all sides from future development so the next owners will be ensured not only privacy, but unobstructed views in perpetuity. The main house leaves little to be desired—offering eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms and a three-bedroom and three-bath guest/caretaker quarters, a wine cellar, a complex of barns suited for entertaining, and a chef’s kitchen to name just a few of the amenities. Combine over two-hundred years of New England colonial history with world-class hiking, biking, skiing, and international Montreal an hour away and you have the best of both worlds!
