OVER THE MOON
A Great House and Great Art Historic ‘North Wales’ goes on the market for $33 million in Warrenton, while artist Robin Hill focuses on birds in Middleburg BY VICKY MOON
T
he listing for a property at 7500 Ironwood Lane in Warrenton at first glance appears as if it’s just one more pricey country estate, now listed at $33 million. The main stone and brick and house, known as “North Wales,” has 22 bedrooms, stables, guesthouse, cottages, a shooting preserve, tennis courts, a swimming pool, formal gardens and ponds spread out over an exquisite 1,471 acres. Oh yes, it’s big and dates to 1781. The handsome stonework outside and gorgeous interior architectural details cause a visitor to virtually hyperventilate in awe. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Most important, it’s one of the supreme examples of the power of conservation in this breathtaking countryside. And, it’s all thanks to nonagenarian Hope Wallach Porter, who stepped up to the plate starting in 1967 and fought mightily against development of the property. Originally 4,200 acres, prior owners include Edward M. Weld, who added a 40-stall racing stable, a six-furlong training track and an enviable wine cellar around 1914. During the 1940s, auto magnate Walter P. Chrysler spent $7.5 million on renovations. The next few owners sought to subdivide the estate with sections sold
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The “North Wales” estate in Warrenton, Va. (Courtesy photo)
around the core. As legal and zoning maneuvers wove through a formidable bureaucratic maze, Porter was relentless for decades, even to the point of tape recording public hearings. Countless consultants and attorneys joined the fight. Mike and Patricia Prentiss purchased “North Wales” in 1997 and placed a no-more-structures easement on the property with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. David B. Ford, a financial magnate, and his wife, Pamela Fielder of Greenwich, Conn., purchased the estate in 2014 for $21 million. Citizens for Fauquier County published Porter’s book, “The Saga of North Wales,” in 2004. She remains a revered and tenacious advocate in fighting development. A far more modest structure with ravens, toucans, bald eagles, yellow Rosellas, owls, cockatoos and even a Cape Buffalo nearby also forms the oeuvre of artist Robin Hill’s studio in Middleburg. Nestled in the woods, their cottage out the Foxcroft Road is adjacent to “Farmer’s Delight,” the historic estate once owned by her late parents, Ambassador to Turkey and West Germany George McGhee and his Texas oil heiress wife, Cecilia DeGolyer McGhee. The couple also has a home in Georgetown.
Marcia greets visitors as they enter the renovated barn-studio one recent weekend and makes an announcement of introduction. “Lynn Wiley is here to see you Robin,” she notes or, “Oh, how lovely to see you, Viviane Warren.” Guests feel as if they are entering the atelier or salon of Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet or Pierre-Auguste Renoir as they ascend the wooden steps. Drinks are offered as they roam the light-filled main room and an adjacent gallery. A dashing and dapper Australian, Hill specialized in watercolors of birds and wildlife and also paints oil portraits of dogs and humans. Each captivating piece is accomplished with delicate detail. His work spans five-plus decades and is exhibited across three continents. Finally, The Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will be having an extraordinary garden party at “Marshfield,” the home of Sam Mitchell in Warrenton, on Sunday, June 17 at 5 p.m. It’s designed by acclaimed designer, lecturer, author and naturalist Cole Burrell of Free Union, Va. Eyes will pop at his magnificent work. Sponsors include: Randy and Cathy Mayes, Mark Ohrstrom, James Iker and Hayes Nuss, Chuck and Dee Akre, Jacqueline Badger Mars and Jocelyn Sladen. To reserve tickets contact 540-364-1922.
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Artist Robin Hill in his Middleburg studio with his wife, Marcia McGhee Carter (Photo by Vicky Moon)