“Living like a king” is mostly just an expression in a democratic country, but how’d you like to live like a President? You may now have the chance with the $11.5 million listing of Keswick, Virginia’s Castle Hill, where Thomas Jefferson spent some of his formative years under the care of Thomas Walker—a wealthy explorer and doctor—after the death of Jefferson’s father.
While his residence in the home may have predated his presidency, make no mistake about the property’s majesty: the stately colonial boasts a staggering 9,084 square feet and sits on 601 acres. The original home dates back to 1764, with a second, Federal-style brick mansion added to the property in 1823 for Walker’s daughter after she married William Cabell Rives, a politician and diplomat who went on to become a senator of Virginia.
An intricate, Victorian-inspired mural wraps around the walls of the foyer, and windows and entryways are decked out with gorgeous white pediments that hammer home the historical feel, while the spiral staircase is just one of the many magnificent details that took its inspiration from James Madison’s property at Montpelier.
A chef’s kitchen with white plank walls and a butcher-block-topped center island has a country vibe, while a bevy of sitting rooms contain details like built-in shelving, ornately patterned wallpapers, fireplaces and vaulted ceilings. Many of the furnishings—including paintings and chandeliers—will be left with the property in the interest of maintaining its regal presence.
The grounds also include a 10-stall horse barn, three detached guesthouses (in addition to the 1823 mansion, which has been connected to the main house), a swimming pool and some of the most well-maintained flower gardens we’ve seen in some time.
During the Rives era, the home hosted a number of other major political figures, including Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.