All that is HOME on Blue Ridge Farm
The Making of the Gentleman’s Farm When asked to describe the story of their time as stewards of the old Blue Ridge Farm and what has been most gratifying about their time there, John and Celia run through a flash of memory images, going back and forth through years of ownership, until they settle on the idea of bringing her back to life. and the smell of sawn wood, the sun coming up over the fields, the whoosh of the tree swing, the feel of the right stone, the kids fishing in the pond, and the twinkle-toe of wedding lights in the barn. “We were hooked from our first look,” says John. “This vista is more than 100 years in the making….it’s hard to express the feelings I have of being able to be a part of restoring pieces of it and making our mark here,” he says looking off into the distance past the porch, through the farm, and into the fields. From each corner and every building, it is clear pride moved in with John and Celia and it has been growing along with them since that time through the farmhouse and log cabin restorations, the corn-crib and bank barn projects and the new garage and in-law apartment construction. “We purchased this house for just the two of us,” says Ceclia, “but within a short time, John had so many projects going, it seemed the contractors and mason had moved in, too.” “Only the mason”, adds John, “and only for four or five years,” he winks.
The Residence A Centuries old brick and stone Colonial farmhouse provides the main house residence on the farm and has been lovingly improved over many years. The home has three living levels with four working fireplaces: one each in the living room, dining room, kitchen, and family room. There are four bedrooms with three full and one half bathrooms and two front porches. The back porch, fully screened and glass-enclosed, is a sunroom overlooking a tranquil stone patio, beautiful specimen trees and gardens. After the property transferred to the present owners in 2006, home systems improvements including a new energy efficient Carrier Air Conditioning System and Air Handler Unit, an Eco Water Softener and Reverse Osmosis Water Purifying System, a high energy tank-less continuous hot water system and a “Gutter Helmet� system with a lifetime transferrable warranty were made. The electrical system was upgraded from 100 to 400 amps service and attention was paid to bury utility lines between the street and the house. The old cast iron sewer lines were replaced with schedule 40 PVC pipes from the house to both solid and liquid tanks and the culvert pipe at the entrance to the farm and the blacktopped main driveway entrance, including the front car pad, were also replaced. Inside the house, plaster walls have been reconditioned in every room, the two bathrooms on the second floor have been entirely refurbished, an intelligently designed Stuart Kitchen was added and the full lower level living area is now tiled with a new full bathroom improvement. The stonemason built a large slate patio with a four-inch concrete foundation which provides a pleasing area for outdoor contemplation and gathering.
The Garage The new oversized two-car garage was built in 2010. The garage is architecturally pleasing with stone, board and batten siding and standing seam roof construction. The dormer windows soften the roof line and provide light and warmth to the second story apartment. With more than 500 finished square feet, the apartment offers comfortable living for overnight guests or extended family with a large kitchen and breakfast nook, spacious living room, full bathroom and bedroom with part walk-in closet and separate laundry closet. The garage has a workbench, under stair storage closet and a half bath. There is also a 200 amp electric service to the building and the apartment its own heating and airconditioning system.
The Barn The main barn is a beautiful traditional bank barn which has been transformed to the show place it is today and offers a small, partially fenced corral. The once bucking structure has been nearly reconstructed from extensive foundation pillar and stone foundation repairs to replacement of many of its log beams and flooring. New posts and new concrete footings along with steel cablings in four locations brought her upright again. The new standing seem roof and sliding wood doors have made her shine. A new concrete apron on the barn’s top floor entrance curtails water from flowing inside and other projects gave the barn new fascia, new gutters, snow cleats and lightning rods. And inside are twinkle toe lights.
The Log Cabin A well-preserved log cabin, called the Spring House, is the oldest structure on the property. Once a leather workshop and summer kitchen, the dwelling is complete with a historic bee-hive oven and wood stove. The log cabin has a “cold room,� the predecessor to the icebox and is evidence the building was used to keep food and prepare meals for those who may have occupied the sleeping rooms upstairs and those who occupied the main house. There were significant renovations to the log cabin from 2011 to 2015 to preserved it and to add electric and water.
The Landscape A small animal barn, an “ancient� corncrib, a woodshed, and an old smoke house round out the additional buildings on the farm; each having been carefully and lovingly preserved and improved. An old time well is a central feature and is complete with rope and bucket and a light to guide your way and there is an original outhouse which always brings a laugh from those extra special guests who are guided that way. Winding brick pathways circle the home and provide a glimpse of each of the farms special vistas and are framed with hardy perennial landscaping beds and specimen trees. There is an apple orchard, pine tree grove and a raised-bed garden with fencing and irrigation. There is even a place for your tree swing.
The Pond A private pond, situated on separate 3.93 acre parcel of land on the north side of Uniontown Road, also belongs to the farm. The pond and its acreage have been carefully tended to since 2006 with over 500 feet of schedule 40 PVC pipe connecting the springhead to the pond in 2008. The pond provides great interest and recreation and has been stocked with largemouth bass. Canoe and fishing poles negotiable.
HOME It’s the place which marks your path and reflects who you are. It gives measure and reflects pride. It weathers and falls and then blooms and finally blossoms.
Make This Place Your Home NATHAN SOWERS | KIMBERLY KEPNES EAT - GATHER - HOME 410.206.3658 | nathan.sowers@monumentsothebysrealty.com 443.250.4241 | kimberly.kepnes@ monumentsothebysrealty.com 410.525.5435 office