Red Hill

Red Hill is a classic ca 1825 brick home that is situated on a rise with beautiful mountain and pastoral views. It is a two story, double-pile, central hall design (basically a 4 over 4) federal style building with 14” brick walls around the exterior, both sides of the interior hall, and between the rooms on each side of the hall. There are tall, 6 over 6 hung-sash windows and wide doors at the east and west ends of the hallway, with a smaller door on the north side, probably once leading to a summer kitchen. Inside, the walls and ceilings are plaster, with thick moldings and raised paneling around the interior of the doors and window openings. The original pine floors consist of single length boards, probably pit-sawn as they are notched at each joist to produce an even surface. The grand open well staircase gracefully curves as it rises to the second level with veneered handrails, square balusters, scrolled newells, a raised panel spandrel and carved scroll brackets. The hallway is 12’ wide and the main level ceiling is just under 12’ tall; the second level has 10’ ceilings. Approximate room dimensions are: 19’x19’4” (front left), 19’x17’6” (front right), 15’x18’8” (rear left) and 19’x20’2” (rear right).  The second floor is the same, except for the staircase leading to the attic in the rear left room; the basement rooms have the same dimensions as the first floor.

The land consists of approximately 40 acres (to be divided off of a 1,500+/- acre farm). There is a two story brick structure behind the main house in addition to several other outbuildings, including an historically significant log barn. On the south side of the house is a series of terraced garden levels reminiscent of Monticello, including the low brick wall along the upper tier. There are two streams on the property, including one that originates from springs.  The house is surrounded by mostly open pasture, with woods along the streams and the front entrance.

This historically significant property is in both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Once part of a 1,000 acre grant from George II to Charles Ellis around 1754, the home was built by his son, Josiah Ellis. Later, when Red Hill was passed on to Josiah’s son Charles, Edgar Allen Poe began to spend some of his summers there (Poe’s foster father was Charles’ business partner, John Allen).

In the 1800’s, Red Hill was an excellent  example of a period country manor. With its sturdy construction, 12 fireplaces and substantial rooms, it was comfortable and elegant, befitting its prominent owners. But what passed for comfort in the 19th century falls short of modern standards. A very few upgrades have been made to the house: electricity, steam heat radiators and a minimal amount of plumbing. To be truthful, there are a lot of upgrades required to bring this home up to modern standards. But, for true lovers of historic homes, this “neglect” over the years is one of its most valuable assets. There has not been a series of tragic renovations over the years to take away from the original beauty of its design, and those that have been made can readily be removed. The house is essentially in “pristine” condition from an historical perspective. The key interior features: walls, floors, trim, stairways, etc. have not suffered significant damage or decay, so an accurate restoration is possible. The full basement and attic allow access to the main and second floors for the addition of modern HVAC and plumbing. In addition, the existing doorways at the rear of the hallways on the main and second levels, and the door on the north side of the main level allow additions to the house without altering the core of the 19th century structure.

This property is a project and if you are looking for a home to move into right away, it is not going to suit your purposes. But if you are a true lover of historic country homes, you will appreciate the quality and potential of Red Hill. At Gayle Harvey Real Estate we have taken pride in the many historic properties we have sold over the years. We can say, without a doubt, that this is the finest historic property we have offered. We hope you are the buyer with the perception and vision needed to bring Red Hill back to its former glory. Please just be sure to invite us over once you finish.