Volume 39 Issue 6 | June 2022 | middleburglife.com
Little River Inn Celebrates 40 Years
UPPERVILLE
Antiquing Around Town
Horse Camp in Hunt Country
COLT & HORSE SHOW HISTORIC PAST & GREEN FUTURE
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MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE
ATOKA
PROPERTIES
S I M P LY B E T T E R .
19492 SHELBURNE GLEBE RD | LEESBURG
1294 GREYSTONE ROAD | UPPERVILLE
$4,475,000 | This tranquil 229.52+/- acre estate of significant historic importance offers a main house, guest house, and several out buildings in an 18th century setting. It overlooks Oliver Lake and has broad views to the west of the Blue Ridge. Add’l acreage available upon request.
$2,900,000 | This stunning, custom-built, 5 BD/4 BA , 7,500+/- sq ft brick Colonial sits on 50+ acres in prestigious Greystone. The home boasts pristine craftsmanship & detailing throughout, high ceilings, gleaming wood floors, a sunroom, a main-level primary suite, mountain views & fenced pastures.
Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339
Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835
Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339
Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835
17781 ROXBURY HALL ROAD | LEESBURG
38650 MOUNT GILEAD ROAD | LEESBURG
$2,150,000 | An inviting and spacious early 1920s home boasting exemplary craftsmanship, large hallways, tall ceilings, and an abundance of natural light. This charming 5 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom stone colonial home boasts 6 +/- acres situated in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains.
$849,999 | A combination of heritage, country charm, and awe comes to mind as you step foot onto this 7+ acre property. This ranch/rambler boasts 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms with 2,000+ finished sq ft. You'll find historic stone walls and hardscaping throughout the property.
Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339
Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835
Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339
Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835
WINCHESTER ROAD #LOT 14 | DELAPLANE
LEEDS MANOR ROAD | DELAPLANE
$700,000 | Build your dream home on 52+/- partially wooded acres offering unobstructed eastern views and Crooked Run Creek access. The parcel is partially surrounded by land in conservation easement and is conveniently located off of 17 just past Sky Meadows State Park.
$500,000 | Build your dream home on 11.77 +/- acres with plenty of mature trees! Located a stone's throw from Rt 17 and Hwy 66. Minutes to Thompson Lake Park and Wildlife Refuge, Sky Meadows State Park. Adventure, privacy, and convenience await you!
Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835
Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339
Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835
Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339
S I M P LY B E T T E R . | M I D D L E B U R G R E A L E S TAT E . C O M MIDDLEBURG, MARSHALL, PURCELLVILLE, LEESBURG, ASHBURN, WINCHESTER & CHARLES TOWN | CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 LICENSED IN VA + WV + MD | VA PRINCIPAL BROKER, PETER PEJACSEVICH | WV + MD PRINCIPAL BROKER, JOSH BEALL
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PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kaitlin Hill | kaitlin@middleburglife.com COPY EDITOR: Victoria Peace ADVERTISING DIRECTOR | PUBLISHER Christian Bentley | christian@middleburglife.com ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Vicky Mashaw | vmashaw@middleburglife.com Jennifer Richards | jennifer@middleburglife.com ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR Joanne Maisano MARKETING: Shell Peterson DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ON THE COVER It’s summer in Middleburg where Kate and Lucy the puppy enjoy the sunshine by an elegantly set table accented with antique finds from local interior designer Nadia Rossi. ON THIS PAGE Mercer Tavern Antiques in Aldie offers a treasure trove of fine antiques and friendly assistance from proprietor Mary Ann Withers. Photo by Gracie Withers. ADVERTISE IN MIDDLEBURG LIFE Greenhill Media, LLC P.O. Box 328 | Middleburg, VA 20118-0328 540.687.5950 | info@middleburglife.com All editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All unsolicited manuscripts and photos must be accompanied by return postage; the publisher assumes no responsibility. Middleburg Life reserves the right to reject any advertising. Distributed in Aldie, Alexandria, Ashburn, Boyce, Delaplane, Dulles, Front Royal, Gainesville, Haymarket, Leesburg, Manassas, Marshall, Middleburg, Millwood, Paris, Purcellville, The Plains, Rectortown, Reston, Tysons, Upperville, Warrenton, Washington, D.C., and Winchester.
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Making a big debut in Hunt Country Connie Jager & Paula Owens, McEnearney Associates 15451 Old Dory Lane, Exclusively Listed at $2.7M MLS: VALO2026556
Connie and Paula approach their business with the same emphasis every time: it’s never about us, it’s always about you. And when there is a big debut, clients are their top priority whether to maximize exposure for a home or listening to the important goals of their buyers... even when the horse steals the show! Connect with Connie and Paula to make your next move with trusted McEnearney Associates.
Connie Street-Jager & Paula Owens, Realtors® I 11 West Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 I tel. 540.687.5490 I McEnearney.com Middleburg I Leesburg I McLean I Alexandria I North Arlington I Clarendon I Vienna I Spring Valley I 14th Street I Kensington I Equal Housing Opportunity
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CONTRIBUTORS Heidi Baumstark has been writing for several lifestyle magazines and newspaper publications since 2005, specializing in history-related articles highlighting Virginia’s Piedmont. She has been with Middleburg Life since 2014. Over the years, she has featured hundreds of businesses, leaders, residents, historical sights, lectures, heritage programs, and museums in her work. Heidi hopes to inspire readers to pause and consider the people, places, and events that have shaped the story of our local history. Michael Butcher is the owner of Butcher Photography. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, he resides in Springfield, Virginia, with his family. For the past 15 years, Michael has specialized in portraiture, event, and editorial photography. When not behind the lens, he enjoys gardening and swimming. Sarah Hickner was born in Mississippi and pursued her dream of galloping racehorses to the backside of Churchill Downs while at college in Kentucky. Sarah has authored one book, “Stories from the Barn Aisle,” and is the host of the Author Shenanigans and the LiveRideLearn podcasts. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two kids, dog, and horse. Dulcy Hooper and her husband Richard moved to the country from Washington, D.C. nearly ten years ago. Shortly thereafter, both began writing occasional articles for Middleburg Life. Dogs are a big part of the Hoopers’ lives and several of Dulcy’s earlier articles focused on the couple’s Chinese crested powderpuffs! Victoria Peace is a recent graduate of Georgetown University and holds a degree in French and Art History. On the weekends, she frequently visits her family in The Plains. In her free time, she enjoys playing polo with Twilight Polo Club, riding with the Georgetown Equestrian Team, gardening, walking her family's dogs at Sky Meadows State Park, and visiting her retired horse, Taco. Her perfect “Hunt Country” day would include a stop at the local farmers market in The Plains, a trip to her favorite Middleburg antique stores, and a sunset trail ride in the Virginia countryside. Shayda Windle is a freelance writer covering the arts, people, and places that make Hunt Country so special. Her work has been featured in Plein Air Magazine, the Fairfax County Times, and several online media outlets. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors and exploring Northern Virginia with her husband and two children.
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Callie Broaddus is a Warrenton native and graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in Architecture. After seven years as a book designer at National Geographic Kids, Callie founded the nonprofit, Reserva: The Youth Land Trust, in 2019. Callie’s land preservation projects and focus on youth empowerment are aided by her talent for storytelling through her camera lens as a professional photographer. In her spare time, Callie enjoys Earl Grey tea, Harry Potter trivia, and dreaming of getting back into the jumper ring. Diane Helentjaris chose Loudoun as her “forever home” in 1990 after experiencing Ohio, Michigan, Montreal, San Francisco, and New Jersey. Following years as a clinical physician and public health administrator, she returned to her humanities roots. A finalist in the 2020 Icelandic Writers Retreat, her book “The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill” comes out in June. Diane also writes a monthly newsletter, The Silk Mill, which is dedicated to those in love with fabric in all its glory. Lia Hobel is a freelance journalist, known in town for her blog, Uplift Loudoun, which she launched during the start of the pandemic to share uplifting stories. In addition to her work for Middleburg Life, Lia writes periodically for online platforms with articles appearing on GOBankingRates, Forbes, Huffington Post, and Yahoo! Lia began her career as a broadcast journalist, but left TV news when she moved to Leesburg, Virginia, with her family. She is a Loudoun 40 Under 40 honoree and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the county. Austin Kaseman grew up along Snickersville Turnpike in a foxhunting household. He took a liking to photography when his mother asked him to take photos of her before each meet. Eventually, Austin bought his own camera and some business cards to stick on riders' windshields and the rest was history. Will Thompson is a writer and photographer interested in all things related to nature, conservation, and outdoor recreation. He has worked in communications and project management roles in renewable energy, international development, and mission-driven journalism. Will graduated from the College of Charleston in 2010 with a B.A. in Communications. Also in this issue: Bill Kent, Gracie Withers, and Joanne Maisano.
E. Washington St. | P.O. 1380 | Middleburg,VA VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com Washington St. | 110 P.O. Box 1380 | Box Middleburg, 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.co
om out | | 6 n | ttage ed eam, acres
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ALL’S WELL FARM
MARSHALL, VIRGINIA
Prime Fauquier County location on the Atoka Road | 88.34 acres with bold Blue Ridge views | Neoclassical brick home with slate roof completely updated & expanded | 5 BR, 5 full, 2 half baths, 5 fireplaces, gourmet kitchen | 10 stall barn with attached indoor arena | Pool, pool house, tenant house | Beautiful gardens | Superb condition
RUTLEDGE FARM
HALFWAY FARM
MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA
Premier Middleburg estate | Main house of stone and frame construction circa 1740 w/addition in 1820. 6 BR, 3 1/2 BA, 5 FP, high ceilings, moldings & detailed woodwork | Equestrian facilities are unmatched | 85 lush acres. 4 barns totaling 27 stalls | 14 paddocks | Derby field | 218 x 80 indoor arena | 250 x 150 all-weather outdoor arena | 80’ lunging arena | Polo field (or 2 grand prix fields) | 4 board, double fencing & automated nelson waterers | Other improvements include 3 BR, 2 1/2 BA guest house | Farm office attached to 3 BR house | Machine shed | Carriage house w/apartment | Stone spring house/office | 3 BR apartment | Pond with gazebo
SPRING GLADE
PLAINS, VIRGINIA
Privacy and 107 acres between Middleburg and The Plains | Residential enclave of great character within a rich array of natural resources | Classic Virginia stone and stucco c. 1820 | 4 bedrooms, antique floors and rich pine paneling Two guest houses, stone cottage, farm managers house, 2 stables, machine shed and work shop| Extensive Little River frontage and 2 ponds | Tremendous views.
SALEM HILL
$3,975,000
$7,100,000 MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA VIRGINIA Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 $5,750,000 (also available with 113 acresMARSHALL, for $7,000,000)
Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
Paul MacMahon Well 703.609.1905 French Country home, with renovations in 1999 protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | Sandra Bravo Greenberg 202.308.3813 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Imkitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ provements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres
$3,690,000
$3,900,000
Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
PBELLE aul VIEW MacFARM Mahon 703.609.1905 ATOKA STORE MARSHALL, VIRGINIA M M 540.454.1930 h 74.11 acres | Frontage on Catoctin Creek, sweeping views, pond | 3 homes, Property has been a landmark for community for WATERFORD, VIRGINIA elen ac ahon
all updated in excellent condition | “Stabler House” 3 BR, 1 1/2 BA, fireplace and wood floors | “Oak Grove” Stone and frame construction, 3 BR, 1 1/2 BA & wood floors | “Tenant House”, Frame construction, 2 BR 1 BA, fireplace | Historic stone Quaker barn completely restored, 12 stalls, 4 stalls adjacent, 4 mores stalls in pony shed | Board fencing, 8 paddocks, 6 run in sheds, water in every field | Property in Conservation Easement
$2,750,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
decades | Major frontage on Route 50 & Atoka Rd | Commercial kitchen, beer cooler, grocery items, pizza oven, in store seating | Potential to be very lucrative | Property also improved by older home, old gas station has been renovated for potential office space or storage & stone spring house | 2 lots w/ commercial village zoning
$2,500,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
CATESBY VINEYARD
& 106 PENDLETON STREET RECTORTOWN, 104 VIRGINIA MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA
UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA
44.55 acres of which 15 acres are producing grapes | 8.5 acres of Chambourcin, Traminette on 4.3 acres and Vidal Blanc on 2.1 acres. | Vineyard infrastructure includes fencing, irrigation system and computerized well | Perc site for 4 bedroom home. Property is in conservation easement | Property can be converted to Residential use.
Rare opportunity | 2 recorded lots with C-3 zoning in the town of Middleburg | 2 separate buildings with 8 offices, 5 storage bays and ample parking | All buildings are in excellent condition
A remarkable property located within a private 17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco of Rectortown | Convenient to both Routes 50 manor house with main level master suite | 7 & 66 | Newly renovated | Private setting with $1,250,000 $1,475,000 magnificent mountain views Paul additional$1,677,000 BR | 5 stone FP | Beautiful gardens, | 4MacMahon bedrooms, 703.609.1905 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Paul Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868 terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage house &MacMahon 703.609.1905 4 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated stable with 2 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout pool & spa | 2 bedroom guest house | & sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | Large shed & 2-car garage 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient
$2,650,000
al
MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA
28.62 acres | House completely updated, stucco exterior, metal roof, 3 BR, 2 1/2 BA, fireplace, 2-car garage. Broodmare barn, center aisle, 8 stalls, Blackburn designed, updated in last 5 years | Pastures in prime condition. 5 paddocks all with new board fencing.
HALCYON HILL
GRACE HILL FARM MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA
Period home, original portion circa 1768, portions 1850 & 1950 | Stucco exterior, metal roof, beautiful wood floors, 4 BR, 2 1/2 BA, 3 FP, spectacular living room with high ceilings | 30.29 acres, recorded in 3 parcels | Mountain views, frontage on Butchers Branch, campground site, old baseball field, room for horses.
RUTLEDGE FARM COTTAGE
$2,700,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868
GAME CREEK PHILOMONT, VIRGINIA
203 acres i River fronta 4 full & 3 1/2 Gunnite pool and private | 5 stall Ji paddocks, pa | Old d
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Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
dE
Circa 18 rebuilt a beams an Barn a 2 bedroom multiple b outsi 5
Pau
Written by Diane Helentjaris | Photos by Gracie Withers
I
n the late 1970s, Tucker Withers ran two antique shops: one in Aldie and one in Maryland, the latter managed by his mother. As a reprieve from work, he often played poker on Tuesday nights. One evening around the card table with his buddies: a sheriff, a landscape architect, and a banker, the banker mentioned a piece of Aldie property which was coming up for sale. By Friday, Withers owned it. Withers telephoned his mother to share the news of his acquisition: a historic brick two-story house and outbuildings. Her response floored him: “I never told you this, but your father was from Aldie.” Withers’ parents had divorced when he was three. He grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, Little River Inn just off Route 50 in Aldie.
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and did not know much about his paternal family history. Now he would not only discover it, but live it as well. The epitome of small world connections, his great uncle had once owned the very same brick house Withers purchased. Withers later discovered his great-grandparents once lived in the property's log cabin. All the older villagers knew his family. Years ago, he was given a family photograph by Sarah Love Douglass. Sarah and her husband James Edward Douglass owned and ran the Aldie Mill before donating it in 1981 to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. “Your great grandmother was the nicest person,” she always shared with Withers.
In February of 1982, Withers decided to turn the property into an inn. Little River Inn opened four months later and his career as an innkeeper began. Affable by nature, the role of host suited him. In fact, Withers even taught hospitality at Northern Virginia Community College and would tell students, “The first thing is you have to like to get up early. You have to like people 24 hours a day, not just from eight to five. You get calls early in the day and late at night…by nature, you have to like people.” Withers’ wife Mary Ann works at the inn alongside him. They met when Mary Ann, a forCelebrates | Page 7
Celebrates | From page 6 mer special education teacher, spent the summer waitressing at the iconic Coach Stop restaurant in Middleburg. And their three children, now adults, all worked at the inn growing up. Little River Inn offers bed and breakfast-style stays in three buildings: the two-story house, the small Patent House, and the log cabin. Rooms are, as would be expected from a long-time antique dealer like Withers, furnished with period pieces and decor. The main brick house was built in 1810 by Rezin Willcoxon. The Patent House is the oldest building in Aldie dating somewhere between 1750 and 1760. The name refers to the building’s purpose. Patent
Houses were built to claim and hold on to land received as a grant (or patent). Their minimum size was sixteen by twenty feet, which is roughly the size of the Aldie Patent House. Little River Inn accommodates a range of needs — from honeymooners who want to snuggle into their own private space to a family wishing to take over the second floor of the brick house. Withers would like people to know that the Little River Inn is “…just like going home. It’s easy. It’s comfortable. It’s where you get good food and good company. [There is] just so much personality to the place, the town is just so welcoming.” As innkeeper, Withers is also the chef and is
proud of his breakfasts. The menu rotates and includes specialties like eggs benedict with cottage-fried potatoes and eggs and mushrooms with tarragon cream sauce in a ham cup on an English muffin. After trying his banana bread, one customer declared, “I never thought anyone made banana bread as good as my mother.” Withers is quick to add that he also bakes blueberry and poppyseed muffins. “[There is] no microwave at the Little River Inn. Everything is made from scratch.” If someone asks him to nuke their cooled coffee in the microwave, Withers insists on making a fresh Celebrates | Page 8
Left: Withers outside the inn. Upper right: Milo and Racer. Bottom right: The Patent House.
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Celebrates | From page 7 pot. He also refuses to carry a cell phone or use a computer. He communicates in person, by telephone, or with little notes left on tables. Mary Ann responds to emails, handles the website, and otherwise picks up the technology slack. Few bed and breakfasts last 40 years. Mary Ann believes the longevity of the Little River Inn is partially due to the fact that the Withers family has maintained a seperate, private home in the village apart from the commercial enterprise. They are always reachable but don’t live with their guests, even though she’s quick to emphasize their visitors are “as nice as they can be.” Affection for their guests is certainly part of
the Withers family recipe for success. Withers believes the “best thing [about the inn] is the people who stay here.” He continues, “They really become our friends. One man stayed every Monday and Tuesday for twenty years. He was a landscape architect. Some have come each year for 40 years. One couple first came in 1982 and still comes back…That is the best part of it all. We have, over many years, [built] relationships with many nice people.” Early on, a couple honeymooned at the bed and breakfast. “They were so nice,” Mary Ann emphasizes. Withers called them up when they went home to Kentucky and offered them a job. They drove back to Virginia and helped manage the inn for 12 years.
Looking forward, Withers has no plans to change. And when asked if he would do it again, he says, “Oh, yeah — in a heartbeat. We enjoy it so much.” He adds, “Don’t know if the kids will take it over. Don’t know how long [it will go on].” Luckily, his children and a growing group of grandchildren all live within twenty minutes of the inn. “[I don’t] know what will happen but for now I am sticking with running the Little River Inn.” ML For more information on this historic inn, visit aldie.com or call 703-327-6742. Little River Inn is located at 39307 John Mosby Highway (Rt. 50), Aldie, Virginia 20105.
Upper left: The main house living room. Bottom left: A sun-filled guest room in the main house. Right: Elegant touches around every corner.
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Design-Build • Remodeling • Additions • Custom Homes • Show Design-Build • Remodeling • Additions • Custom Homes • Showroom GoldenRuleBuilders.com | 3409 Catlett Road, Catlett, VA | 540.78 GoldenRuleBuilders.com | 3409 Catlett Road, Catlett, VA | 540.788.3539 JUNE 2022
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Design-Build • Remodeling • Additions • Custom Homes • Showroom
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MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Taylor Thistlethwaite Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Michael Butcher
T
histlethwaite Americana, an antique gallery on Washington Street, has an inviting atmosphere with a gracious host.
The proprietor, Taylor Thistlethwaite, loves to offer up stories that delight novice and established antique collectors alike. The traditional “don’t touch” mentality is not what you’ll find here. “Let's sit down at an 18th-century table and have a cup of coffee,” he says. Thistlethwaite wants to get to know his customers, share stories about the items in his collection, and help potential patrons discover something that makes them happy. “I always say, you should be able to sit in a room at night and an object should speak to you.” Everything displayed on the walls and showcased on the floor is hand-selected by Thistlethwaite and is a reflection of his personal taste. His collection includes elegant furniture, folk art, mid-century items, and belongings that are perfect conversation pieces. At age 35, Thistlethwaite has earned a reputation in the antique world for his fine eye and exquisite taste. He is the youngest dealer to ever be accepted to The Winter Show, a prestigious art, antiques, and design fair held in New York City. He also participates in some of the country’s top antique shows including the Delaware Antiques Show and The Philadelphia Show. “The piece behind you was designed by a guy named Paul Evans who was the father of American Brutalist furniture and on top we have a Harriet Frishmuth bronze. She was one of the greatest Neighbor | Page 11 Taylor Thistlethwaite.
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Neighbor | From page 10 Art Deco American sculpturists. Then above that is a painting from the 1970s by Ernie Barnes who is one of the most seminal 1970s African American artists that we have right now,” he points out with excitement. Without skipping a beat, Thistlethwaite continues to exhibit his expertise and rich historical knowledge of every furnishing in the space. He points out an easy chair made in Philadelphia around 1750. “It's one of the earliest known easy chairs of this form,” he says. “You look at the crazy lines and kind of spookiness of the arms compared to the brutal edge of the Brutalist piece next to it, and you see that this stuff doesn't go perfectly together but it relates.”
Connecting the pieces to historical timelines and interpreting an artist’s logic in designing their work is just one of many facets of Thistlethwaite’s job. It’s not a skill you develop overnight — it has to be acquired over time and through formal training. Thistlethwaite’s parents and grandparents were all collectors. He credits them for instilling his appreciation for antiques during his childhood. He grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, and moved to Glasgow, Kentucky, when he was around 13 years old. His family has had a farm in Glasgow since the late 1700s. “I fell in love with treasure hunting as a kid,” he says reminiscently about antique road trips with his father. “We used to go to Middleburg and then out to the [Shenan-
doah] Valley and hit all these antique shops and old estates. I remember him throwing me up in the attics and telling me to go find something up there.” That passion for treasure hunting never dwindled. His father, a surgeon, collected antiques as a hobby. Thistlethwaite knew early on that a medical path was not for him. “I made a C in freshman biology so I knew I had to find something else,” he explains. He attended Centre College and earned a degree in American history with an emphasis on the colonial period. He then went to the University of Kentucky for a master’s in historic preservation. During this time, Thistlethwaite gained Neighbor | Page 12
Top: Thistlethwaite’s Americana on Main Street. Bottom: E.G. Washburne & Company copper and bronze stag weathervane, circa 1890.
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Neighbor | From page 11 a wealth of knowledge as an intern for Sumpter Priddy, one of the foremost scholars on southern antiques. “I was doing work for him in the summer while I was in college and then when I went to grad school. I even helped him at The Winter Show, so it kind of came full circle that I was able to come back and do this on my own.” In 2013, Thistlethwaite and his wife, Rebecca, opened a showroom on the first floor of his Alexandria home to display his inventory for collectors. In the midst of COVID-19, when many antique shows were canceled, Thistlethwaite was eating dinner in Middleburg and saw the for-lease sign in the space where Thistlethwaite Americana now lives. “What makes Middleburg so unique is the fact that we have so many people coming through from different areas and there's already a strong collector base.” As Thistlethwaite explains, having a physical storefront is wonderful because he can serve everyone who walks in the door — not just dealers. The furnishings in his showroom are all unique to their place of origin. “Little markers” on the pieces help Thistlethwaite trace each object back to the individual cities in which they were made. This is all part of the allure of collecting antiques. “You have so much history combined into one piece. Maybe we don't know who owned it initially, but these pieces have been treasured for hundreds of years so at least we can get some points,” he says. As opposed to previous decades when people may have wanted a house entirely full of antiques, Thistlethwaite says people are shifting toward having just a few individual accent pieces. “You got to have fun with this stuff,” he says. “I have things in here for the novice collector or somebody who just is interested in getting started, all the way up to museum and collector grade.” Given the passion that Thistlethwaite has for his inventory, one might wonder if it is difficult for him to part with the items. However, This-
tlethwaite says discovering, photographing, and living with the items before passing them on to collectors is gratifying. “It's not even about a sale, it's more about adding to the next generation of the history [of the object].” Thistlethwaite now lives in Upperville with his wife and their new son, William, who was born in April. He hopes to pass down his love for antiques and treasure hunts to his son. In the backroom of his shop, Thistlethwaite has an antique highchair waiting for William once he is old enough to sit at the table. For Thistlethwaite, love of his profession stems from the joy his clients experience as new owners of his preloved pieces. He says, “As long as it’s something that captures your fancy or makes you smile, that's what it's all about.” ML Thistlethwaite Americana is located in Middleburg at 116 Washington Street. For more information, please visit thistleamericana.com.
Left: A pair of Majolica garden seats by George Jones. Jones was one of the foremost makers of English Majolica in the 19th century. Top left: Fan Drawer to a Wethersfield Connecticut High Chest that was formerly in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. Bottom right: An English Center Table with faux malachite surface. There is a Majolica George Jones jardiniere on top of the table with an important folk art whaling scene in the background.
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HISTORY ON DISPLAY AT THE UPPERVILLE COLT & HORSE SHOW Written by Bill Kent | Photos by Michael Butcher
A
sk anyone within 50 miles of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show what it’s like and you’ll hear of great things. After all, the show has been going on for 169 years. However, this year, America’s oldest show has a new designation. After more than two years of research and advocacy, Upperville is now the only showground on the National Register of Historic Places. It can be argued that one can’t go anywhere in and around Middleburg without finding a significant connection to history. The inclusion of the Grafton Farm showgrounds on the register honors the importance of horses and the equestrian arts in the larger story of our country, as well the 1,800 horses and even more people from all over the world who will come to the region to compete this month. Maral Kalbian, the historic preservation consultant whose application to the National Park Service won the show its registry
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status, credits Huntland equestrian, philanthropist, Canon, and 17th Baroness of Lochiel, Scotland, Dr. Betsee Parker’s support for the application. “Dr. Parker was the prime mover. I know that the community has wanted official recognition for quite a long time, but without Dr. Parker, it wouldn’t have happened.” Kalbian calls the seven-day show, which begins June 6, “a jewel of a resource to have in your own backyard.” She adds, “It makes you appreciate where you are and how absolutely important the horse has been in our history.” As an architectural historian who savors the old and the interesting, Kalbian says she fell in love with the show’s Grafton Farm site (about
two miles east of Upperville on the south side of Route 50) on her first visit when she noticed “how free it was of intrusions. With just about any structure that has survived to this century, you’re going to find changes, upgrades, modern touches. You see almost none of them at Grafton Farm. If you sit in the grandstand at Grafton Farm as I did, and you look out onto the immediate surroundings and take in the unquestionably beautiful natural hills, you get a profound feeling of tradition. You don’t need much imagination to connect what’s going on right now all the way back to the time it began.” That’s not exactly how Olympic
The Upperville Colt & Horse Show sign on Route 50.
History | Page 15
“If you sit in the grandstand at Grafton Farm as I did, and you look out onto the immediate surroundings and take in the unquestionably beautiful natural hills, you get a profound feeling of tradition.” – Kalbian
History | From page 14 gold medal winner and Hall of Fame member Joseph “Joe” Fargis IV remembers his first time at Grafton Farm. “I was 12 years old and it was raining and there was mud everywhere. I was kneedeep in it and enjoying it.”
Now 74, Fargis is the president of the show and is still a leading figure in show jumping. He notes that while some things have changed, others have remained the same. “We’ve upgraded the footing so the horses can have [the] best possible surfaces to move around on, but we ha-
ven’t been able to fix the weather. When it rains, everyone feels it.” They also feel a closeness that is not common at other horse shows. “This is the gathering of a tremendous extended family. We’re all very proud of our horses and how long this show has lasted,” Fargis says. And there’s one thing that everyone loves, rain or shine, no matter how the competition shakes out. “It’s the oak grove. Some of these trees are quite old. Some we’ve replaced over the years with donations. You go out and stand there in the shade and look around, see your friends and family. It’s like coming home.” The Grafton Farm oak grove is that rarest place in horse shows: a place of common ground where everyone — former and future Olympic riders, first-timers, and old-timers — meet and greet. Among those whom you might find in the grove is Barbara Riggs, a former competitor who is now part of a group of 150 Upperville volunteers. These individuals do everything from bringing breakfast to the barns to acting History | Page 16
Top left: The historic showgrounds dotted with trees. Bottom left: The National Register of Historic Places designation is set in stone. Bottom right: A trunk of one of the property’s older trees.
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History | From page 15 as concierge for any last minute needs of the show’s participants. “If you’re coming to the show for the first time, every day has something interesting and exciting going on,” Riggs advises. “But there are two events you really can’t miss. The Sunday Grand Prix, which is the top competition with the best riders and the biggest prize, and the Saturday lead-line event where you see children on ponies who may be showing for their first time. The kids
“If you’re coming to the show for the first time, every day has something interesting and exciting going on.” – Riggs
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you see on the ponies now are the same ones who will come back as competitors later.” One such former lead-line participant is saddle-maker and leather designer Dorothy “Punkin” Lee. She started in the lead-line class and is now in her 25th year as a volunteer. “This show gets into you like no other show anywhere. The lead-liners come back as competitors, and the competitors become volunteers. Once you’re part of it, it’s hard to let a year go by without coming back, seeing friends and family, and serving and helping the horses. It began for the horses and it’s stayed that way ever since.” Helping and caring for horses — in this case a colt with nearly frozen feet — inspired Colonel Richard Henry Dulany to hold the very first show back in 1853. Though horses had been a fixture of country fairs previously, Dulany’s Upperville gathering was devoted to improving the care of horses and celebrating what horses can do, not just in Virginia, but throughout the emerging American nation. “And we try to keep it that way,” says Tommy Lee Jones, a third generation equestrian who has managed Upperville’s show since 1982. “[The show] is unique because of its placement — you feel you’re at a farm, out in the country, and not in a stadium or arena — and the people who have made it what it is, who have given it so much
time, effort, and support. Go to the Wall of Honor and you can see some of the names of those who have come before. For every name up there, there are thousands more that have been part of it.” ML
Top left: A few weeks before the big show and the blue striped tents are already up. Top right: A stone monument in memory of Robert H. Smith, former owner of nearby Heronwood Farm, is shaded by the many trees. Bottom right: Pillion’s Perch offers the perfect vantage point of the historic showgrounds.
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A National Campaign and Local Effort for Greener Horse Shows Written by Kaitlin Hill
M
ore than historic, the site of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show is undeniably green. The sloping lawns, towering hundred-plus-year-old trees, and the familiar evergreen paint on nearly every structure all contribute to a feeling of being one with nature upon entering the gates of the showground. And in recent years, there have been efforts to make Upperville even greener by operating the show with environmental impact in mind, led by a national campaign called Green is the New Blue and aided by local efforts supporting the cause. Founded by amateur equestrian Stephanie Riggio Bulger, Green is the New Blue (GNB) partners with horse shows across the country to reduce the impact of equestrian events on the planet. Emily Cleland of GNB shares, “With yearround horse show circuits available to us, we are such a transient population. And in the effort to get from show to show, we just don’t realize the amount of waste we produce, especially in the form of plastics: supplement tubs, shavings bags, twine, water bottles… just for one horse and rider, it really adds up.” As the oldest horse show in the nation, it seems appropriate that Upperville is also Green Is the New Blue’s original partner. Cleland notes, “Its management team has made such a commitment to the future with their forward-thinking
approaches to sustainability.” Caitlin Lane, executive director of Upperville Horse Shows, LLC notes, “We have been working with Green is the New Blue for a few years to develop a sustainability program. We’ve been brainstorming with them on how to expand the program and get more people involved, more sponsors.” For this year’s show, the team at UCHS and GNB connected with Maria Eldredge and Anne McIntosh of Middleburg Real Estate and Atoka Properties. Lane shares, “In talking with Middleburg Real Estate, we put forward the idea that we wanted to add these hydration stations and it would be something new this year.” Coincidentally, Eldredge explains, “Middleburg Real Estate had just come up with a new program where, as agents, if we wanted to sponsor something we could, and we’re trying to do more locally.” A single-use to reusable convert herself, Eldredge jumped at the idea of sponsoring the hydration stations and partnered with McIntosh and Middleburg Real Estate to cover the $10,000 project. She says, “Instead of selling thousands of [single-use] plastic bottles, there will be tents set up with bamboo cups. You can refill your water bottle and there will be bigger jugs of water.” This latest initiative is one of many that Upperville has adopted to reduce its environmental
impact. Lane says, “We are doing wider facility recycling. We’ve been able to recycle the shavings bags which [are] a big source of plastic for us. We are trying to work on where the manure goes after an event, how it can be reused.” She adds, “We’re really looking at how we can be more sustainable. It's deliberate choices on what products we can use and how we can set things up to reduce our footprint…Ideally, we are helping spread [the idea] to other events across the country.” Cleland adds, “We want to see horse shows and facilities adopt initiatives that are reasonably actionable in their geographic areas. There’s no ‘one size fits all’— some municipalities simply don’t have recycling programs for show organizers to utilize, for instance. Some facilities have the means to tackle issues like erosion and water runoff that other facilities don’t. That said, recently we’ve been inspired by the horse shows like UCHS that have substantially cut their use of single-use plastics by committing to water refill stations with compostable cups. That choice alone produces exponentially less plastic waste.” In addition to national campaigns and locally sponsored programs, an impact can be made on an individual level too. Cleland says, “Make a habit out of bringing your own refillable water bottle to horse shows and everywhere you go! Be vocal! Let your horse show organizers and venue managers know that sustainable practices are important to you.” As horses, trainers, and spectators show up June 6 through 12 to enjoy the 169th Upperville Colt & Horse Show, they will take part in the new green legacy of this historic event as Cleland says, “to preserve our planet for generations of equestrians to come.” ML Left: Aerial shot of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show site. Courtesy of The Upperville Colt & Horse Show. Right: Local relators, Maria Eldredge and Anne McIntosh. Photo by Joanne Maisano.
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MAGNOLIA PEAKS SOLD | $3,050,000 9486 Briar Lane, Delaplane, VA Laura Farrell, Represented Purchasers +1 540 395 1680
MIDDLEBURG $3,750,000 | Development Opportunity 115 Washington Street, Middleburg, VA Bundles Murdock +1 540 454 3499 Laura Farrell +1 540 395 1680
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STERLING $1,775,000 201 Lake Drive, Sterling, VA Andre Amini +1 703 622 4473
LOUDON COUNTY CONTRACT PENDING | $2,295,000 24056 Laceys Tavern Court, Aldie, VA Laura Farrell, Representing Purchasers +1 540 395 1680
MARSHALL $874,000 5918 Free State Road, Marshall, VA Andie Yahn-Lyle +1 540 229 0774
THE PENTHOUSE $4,995,000 1177 22nd Street NW 9G, Washington, DC Mark C. Lowham +1 703 966 6949 Matt McCormick +1 202 365 5883
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THE PLAINS BROKERAGE 6474 MAIN STREET, THE PLAINS, VA | +1 540 212 9993 | TTRSIR.COM ©2022 TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed real estate broker. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal housing opportunity. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Price and availability subject to change. US dollar conversion as of 05/28/19.
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What’s Old is New Again at Another Blue Moon Written by Shayda Windle | Photos by Callie Broaddus
I
f Hunt Country is anything, it most certainly is not a place lacking in things to do or see. In addition to pastoral views of the Blue Ridge and Bull Run Mountains, famed foxhunts, and steeplechase races, there is also a vibrant shop-
ping district in the town of Middleburg that keeps visitors coming back for more. With its tree-lined brick sidewalks and 18th-century buildings, historic Middleburg has rows of lively restaurants and boutiques that attract people from all over.
This intriguing mix of old and new can be found at Another Blue Moon, a luxury consignment shop in the heart of town. The unique secondhand store offers an assortment of antique and vintage furniture, decorative accessories, collectibles, and home goods. What started out as a pop-up founded by six friends in 2018 has evolved into the brick-andmortar retail store you see today on Washington Street. The store is co-owned by longtime friends Kerry Dale and Jennifer Andrews. As people began cleaning out their homes and looking to recycle possessions during the pandemic, Dale and Andrews saw an opportunity to continue the venture. At Another Blue Moon, you’ll find beautiful furniture, vintage mirrors, lamps, tables, rugs, tea sets, and so much more. What makes this boutique so special is that most items come from local homes and friends of the owners. So, when you buy a piece from Another Blue Moon, you’re not only supporting the local economy — you’re also giving back to the community of contributors who have decided to consign their goods here. You’re buying something special from another person’s sanctuary and continuing that treasure’s story. Dale says, “Because of our community and the nature of it, and as the real estate market has exploded, our business has grown too. We added space this year and now have barn space in the basement of the Middleburg Professional Center.” During the pandemic, Dale adds, “Instagram saved us. We would take photos and post them to social media. People would claim their goods online then come pick them up in-store.” AnMoon | Page 21
“We take things that we know customers are looking for and are complementary to our design style and inventory.” – Dale Another Blue Moon owners, Kerry Dale and Jennifer Andrews.
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Moon | From page 20 drews chimes in, “Instagram not only provides an outlet for home shopping and dreaming, but continues to offer comic relief even today. What else could make you laugh about a needlepoint pillow, a Herend cat or a shapely French chest? We learn something every day about the business and there’s always a fresh challenge around the corner.” “Many times, people will send me twenty pictures of what they want to consign, but we must curate what we take,” Dale explains. “We take things that we know customers are looking for and are complementary to our design style and inventory. We carry anything from antiques to contemporary to transitional and more traditional goods.” Another Blue Moon also considers whether items are on-trend, the condition they are in, and seasonality as they curate their collection. They will generally hold items for about 90
“If you don’t love what you do, then why do it?” –Andrews
days, but Dale says they try very hard to sell with a quicker turnaround. It’s clear how much these two women enjoy the process of building a business together, and their passion for “finding a new life for something that still has life in it” is even more inspiring. But perhaps Andrews puts it best. She says with a laugh, “I feel like I’m in an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies, driving through Loudoun with a van full of old furniture to drop off at a barn. If you don’t love what you do, then why do it?” ML Another Blue Moon is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Be sure to stop by the basement area of the Middleburg Professional Center on 119 The Plains Road for more from Another Blue Moon. You can also check them out on Instagram @anotherbluemoon to see what’s available now. New inventory is added regularly. Top: A stack of books perfect for a home office. Middle: Dale surrounded by the shop’s many treasures. Bottom: Hunt Country accents are in no short supply.
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LD
W NE
SO
Hidden Trail
Kentwood
107+ acres $5,750,000 The Plains – Exceptional and surrounded by magnificent countryside with views. Stone and stucco residence, beautiful terraces. Geothermal heating/cooling, heated 20’ x 40’ pool, 8 stall center aisle stable with 14’ x 14’ stalls. Stunning indoor riding arena.
189 acres $5,150,000 Middleburg – Ideal horse and / or cattle farm; Stone main house w/LL apartment & 2-car garage, 3 tenant houses. 5 barns, 40+ stalls, fenced paddocks & equipment sheds. Great ride out with miles of gravel roads and trails. Pond & Beaver Dam Creek.
44 acres $3,495,000 Rectortown – Turn-key estate protected by conservation easement, which allows for develop-ment of equestrian facilities. Views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a 7-acre fenced vineyard with vistas of rolling hills, woods and pastures all around.
18+ acres $3,095,000 Stunning Estate on a picturesque country road minutes from Middleburg! 7 BR / 8 BA, 10,000 SF of spectacular living space for a gracious & luxurious life style. Sweeping lawns & brilliant gardens, plus a free form heated pool & spa.
John Coles | 540-270-0094
Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201
Will Driskill | 540-454-7522
Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233
Old Winery
ER ACT D R UNNT CO
Worth The Wait
Colchester
W
NE
Willisville
50 acres $2,289,000 Marshall – Virginia’s horse and wine country with mountain, lake and pastoral views. Custom-built home has 5 BRs / 4.5 BAs. High ceilings; HW flooring; 4 fireplaces. Fenced, mature pasture for horses. New 45’ x 70’ equip. building.
3 acre $1,250,000 Built in 1799, has all the charm and character of a 200 year old house with the modern amenities of one that has been well-loved and beautifully cared-for over the years. Located just outside the town of Berryville in historic Clarke County.
6+ acres $1,895,000 Purcellville – The ultimate country home. Renovated 5000+ square feet, beautifully imagined with lovely scaled rooms, each offering stunning mountain views. There is a game room and an amazing home gym, stone terrace and a pool.
10 acres $1,695,000 Upperville – Exquisite 4 BR colonial offers approx 4200 SF of spectacular living space. Completely renovated with extraordinary quality, this charming colonial offers every amenity as the current owners have just invested over $516,000 in improvements.
Emily Ristau | 540-454-9083
Cary Embury | 540-533-0106
Anne Marstiller | 540-270-6224
Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233
W NE
W NE
Aylor House
JUNE 2022
Aurora
Eagle Rest
5 acres $950,000 The Plains – Pristine brick rambler, wooded and private. Renovated with 4 BR and 4 Full BAs - over 3,300 sq ft. LL walkout suite with kitchenette. 2-car attached garage, rear deck & fenced lawn area, detached workshop/shed.
Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201
ER ACT D R UNNT CO
Bell Lane
25 acres $895,000 Berryville – Towering trees and lush open fields lead to this charming 4 BR colonial, sited on a gently sloping hillside. Mountain views are the backdrop to this lovely residence. This wonderful country home is an absolute treasure.
Brian McGowan | 703-927-4070
Tober Chlair
W
NE
Merry Oaks
1.49 acres $735,000 Upperville – 3 BR / 2 BA Cape nestled down a quaint side street. 2,300 sq ft of living space with an open floor plan. Wonderful location within walking distance to the Bluewater Kitchen, Hunter’s Head, post office, churches and more.
1.43 acres $675,000 The Plains – Newly renovated home with stunning addition. Adjacent approved 1.05 acre building lot listed separately for $180,000 Located between Marshall and Warrenton, easy access to I-66 and the many villages in Horse / Wine Country.
Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201
Rebecca Poston | 540-771-7520
Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warrante
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You belong in horse country
Swain Mountain Farm 164 acres $2,695,000 Spectacular mountain views! 4 BR / 5.5 BA fully restored estate 3 miles from Marshall and rte. 66. Wraparound porch provides the perfect setting to enjoy unparalleled views.In 6 parcels, 32 acres of fenced pasture, conservation potential.
John Coles | 540-270-0094
W
NE
Wayside
.63 acres $1,275,000 Upperville – Historic residence in lovely setting. Beautifully updated, high ceilings, 2 kitchens, a conservancy w/brick floors, walled in terrace w/gardens. Ideal for gracious entertaining. Guest cottage w/front porch, comfortable rooms and mountain views.
Mary Ann McGowan | 540-270-1124
D
N LA
Winchester Road
2+ acres $325,000 Delaplane – Buildable parcel in Crooked Run Valley near Paris and Sky Meadows State Park, vicinity is known as “Scuffleburg”. Land is clean wooded and rolling. Beautiful views, abundant wildlife. Great commuter location. Build your country retreat!
Emily Ristau | 540-454-9083
ed nor is it otherwise guaranteed.
The moment you visit, you’ll feel a sense of belonging that makes you want to put down roots. In business since 1967, Thomas & Talbot’s number-one ranking in Horse Country comes as no surprise based on our long-standing relationships in the area. In addition to locating your perfect home, we introduce you and those you love to a most desirable way of life. Visit our website today and if you’re interested in seeing a particular property, please contact us.
THOMAS & TALBOT ESTATE PROPERTIES Opening The Door To Horse Country For Generations 2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | thomasandtalbot.com
JUNE 2022
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The Best of Antiquing In and Around Hunt Country Written by Shayda Windle
S
hopping in Hunt Country is a bit different than elsewhere. When people visit, they are looking for something unique and one-of-a-kind; something that speaks to the history of the area. One could argue that the retail options that best showcase this heritage are the many and much-
loved antique shops in Hunt Country. In that spirit, here are some local favorites offering their take on heirloom treasures. As you navigate the antique scene, be sure to take the time to look around — you never know what hidden gems you might find.
Middleburg Antique Gallery & Antiques on Washington St. With its treasure trove of foxhunting and horse racing-themed antiques, Middleburg Antique Gallery has been a staple of the Hunt Country antique scene for the past three decades. As owner Linda Mason says, there’s “something for everyone here.” Last year, Mason and Lisa Vella, co-owners of Baileywyck in The Plains, joined forces to open Antiques on Washington, an extension of the two shops. Mason and Vella each have distinct tastes when it comes to antiques which allows patrons to find a little bit of everything at Antiques on Washington including French provincial, Swedish furnishings, American antiques, home goods, and fine art. Mason says, “It’s a little bit old and new here. I like the fun stuff, the things that are a little bit different. We work with local artists and go to auctions. Lisa gets things from all over the world.” Fresh inventory is arriving all the time, so be sure and stop by — both stores are located right on Washington Street in Middleburg. Middleburg Antique Gallery: 107 W. Washington St., Middleburg, Virginia 20117, 540-687-8680 Antiques on Washington: 3 W. Washington St., Middleburg, Virginia 20117, 540-687-8680
Marshall Curated The small town of Marshall has a number of antique and consignment shops to visit, and Marshall Curated is a local favorite. With 14 permanent vendors and over 100 consignors, the shop is more of a “museum” than anything else according to owner Rosanna Funiciello. Though she constantly moves merchandise in and out of the shop, her vendors are a carefully selected group of antiques dealers, decorators, and creatives that offer a variety of vintage and new home furnishings and gifts. She adds,
“I feel like an ambassador for these vintage pieces. I help to convey their story and give them renewed purpose. At the heart of it, we are recyclers of beautiful and useful things.” Marshall Curated is open Thursday through Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also check them out on Instagram at @MarshallCurated. 8371 W Main St, Marshall, Virginia 20115, 571-921-0356
Mercer Tavern Antiques This popular antique shop in the village of Aldie is filled with 19th and 20th-century furniture, paintings, baskets, china, and much more. Originally built in 1939, the little white house has had its share of facelifts over the years. Roughly 30 years ago, owner Mary Ann Withers decided to transform the tavern into an antique shop. And in 2020, she renovated the store inside and out. Each week, she brings in new items and posts them on Instagram and Facebook. Withers shares, “Everything I source is within an hour radius of Aldie so what you see here are local products [from] online auctions, live auctions, and getting called to go into people's houses locally.” Withers and her husband Tucker also own nearby Little River Inn which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. Mercer Tavern Antiques is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, follow the shop’s Instagram at @mercertavernantiques. 39359 John Mosby Hwy, Aldie, Virginia 20105, 703-618-3169 Left: A peek inside the Middleburg Antique Gallery. Right: A vibrant tea set at Mercer Tavern Antiques. Photos by Gracie Withers.
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Vintage Marshall Vintage Marshall is the latest antique store to hit Hunt Country territory. The shop, which opened in February, is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Julien and Cassandra Lacaze who were previously vendors at Marshall Curated. “We both love wine, travel, and all things vintage and wanted to bring that concept to Marshall,” Julien Lacaze shares. He frequently travels to France to source vintage and antique furniture and home decor items directly, which are then shipped to the store in Marshall. They also offer wine for a unique twist. Lacaze says, “We recently picked a wine from Buzet,
which many people are not familiar with, but this is the same region where we are picking most of the French [antique] finds. We wanted to incorporate wine with the furniture, and that’s why we chose the name Vintage. It can refer to items that are older or it can refer to the year in which a wine was made.” Stop in to see them in person for a fabulous French furnishing or glass of wine and be sure to check their Instagram at @Vintagemarshallva. 4238 Frost St, Marshall, Virginia 20115, 540 454-2000
Red Schoolhouse Antiques Red Schoolhouse Antiques in Millwood, Virginia, has been in business for 32 years. Owners Lorraine and Robin Murray live on their farm in Scotland and stock the store with their unique finds sourced from all over Europe. Manager Mary Kinnie and Associate Dealer Troy Pittenger work on-site warmly welcoming antique seekers. The shop is known for its traditional and contemporary furniture and accessories. Lorraine, who grew up in Clarke County, comments, “I love coming back to Virginia. It’s the best of both worlds — bonnie Galloway in Scotland and gorgeous Hunt Country, Virginia. Seeing friends old and new adds to the enjoyment of every visit.” Find them on Instagram at @redschoolhouseantique. 1014 Bishop Meade Rd, Millwood, Virginia 22646, 540-837-3033
JPN Antiquities Patrick Newell, owner of JPN Antiquities in Warrenton, began buying and selling antiques in college while pursuing his business degree. He recalls, “I realized I could do something [relating to antiques] with my degree so I opened up a store in Old Town Alexandria.” Since its early days in Old Town, JPN Antiquities has held several locations throughout Northern Virginia and now calls Warrenton home. Right across the street from Horse Country in Warrenton, the tiny shop boasts “offbeat and funky” pieces de-
voted to horses, foxes, cows, and chickens. Newell also sells his antiques online through Facebook and Instagram and updates his shop daily with new items. You can find his store on Instagram at @jpn_antiquities, on Facebook at @thepaupergentleman, and on Etsy using this link: etsy.com/shop/ thepaupergentleman. ML 17 Horner St, Warrenton, Virginia 20186, 540-219-1952
Red Schoolhouse Antiques in Millwood. Photos courtesy of Red Schoolhouse Antiques.
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Home is where the horse is.
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Direct (540) 229-1452 Office (540) 687-6500 snowden@thomasandtalbot.com 2 South Madison Street, Post Office Box 500 Middleburg, Virginia 20118
Licensed Realtor with Thomas & Talbot Estate Properties
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Jumping into Summer Fun with Jumpin’ Jax Farm Written by Victoria Peace | Photos Courtesy of Jumpin’ Jax Farm
M
iddleburg is an amazing place for children to learn to ride. However, there are so many different equestrian op-
portunities around that it can be hard to pinpoint how to get started. With summer just around the corner, participating in pony camps is a great way for kids to get a taste for the sport while developing their horsemanship skills and riding abilities
in a fun and educational environment. At Jumpin’ Jax Farm in The Plains, head instructor and owner Allison Tripp offers a summer camp series that is perfect for riders of all skill levels. Beginner students learn pony club fundamentals, develop a strong seat and sense of balance, and learn the foundations of dressage. More experienced riders focus on fine-tuning
their flatwork, equitation, and jumping — both in the ring and on the cross county course. Tripp organizes three week-long camp sessions over the course of the summer as well as a few weeks of “mini” three-day camps. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every day, each camper gets an hour-long
Top: Jumpin’ Jax Farm. Bottom left: Summer camp students show off their tie-dye shirts. Bottom right: Time for a trail ride.
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Summer | Page 29
Summer | From page 28 lesson. No more than four children are ever in the saddle at one time so Tripp can give them each individualized instruction. “Throughout the week there is a dramatic improvement in skills,” Tripp emphasizes. While campers are waiting their turn to ride, they learn how to perform various horsemanship skills such as cleaning tack, grooming horses, bathing horses, cleaning stalls, and doing simple veterinary procedures. After they ride, campers untack, cool down, and turn out the horses together. Then, they get their own chance to cool off at the farm’s pool while they eat lunch. At the end of the day campers go on one last “fun” ride, which is usually bareback. Tripp sets a challenge for them such as the game “ride a buck,” where campers compete to see who can keep a dollar bill between their leg and the horse’s back for the longest time. At the end of the week there is a small schooling show
where campers get the opportunity to show off the skills they learned. For families interested in the summer camp series, Tripp encourages them to visit her website and send in an application via email. She still has a few spots left for June, July, and August, but they usually fill up fast. However, if the summer dates don’t work, Tripp’s year-round lesson program also helps riders build many of the skills that are taught during her camps. Lessons are “based around pony club fundamentals.” In her program, riders focus on “growing and climbing through the levels with confidence-building horses.” Tripp says, “The horses and ponies I have are very safe. I’ve had them for years — they are great schoolmasters that really love their job and love the attention.” Tripp’s lesson program is also tailored to each rider’s goals. Students who want to show have the opportunity, but there is never any pressure. Some riders prefer to just come out each
week to enjoy the company of the horses and the tranquil atmosphere of the farm. “The farm is a special story,” Tripp explains. As a child, Tripp moved around a lot because her father was in the military. However, her mom “was always supportive of [Tripp’s] passion [for riding] regardless of their government transfers.” When her parents retired, they fell in love with Middleburg and the surrounding area. They purchased Jumpin’ Jax Farm in 2003 at a great price, but it needed some love. Thanks to their hard work and devotion, they were able to fix it up and turn it into a professional facility. Initially, they rented it out to various local trainers. However, after a few years, Tripp took over and built the thriving program that now attracts students from the Middleburg area all the way to D.C. ML For more information about Jumpin' Jax Farm or signing up for a camp this summer, please visit jumpinjaxfarm.com.
Riders give their horses some love.
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Locally Sourced for the Passionate Palate
Come experience flavorful new dishes, cooking demonstrations, freshly baked artisan breads and so much more. 540.687.9726
SalamanderResort.com
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2021
Exciting New Wine Releases All Summer, in the Heart of Hunt Country Open Daily Monday - Thursday: Noon to 6 pm Friday - Sunday: Noon to 7 pm
experiencegreenhill.com info@greenhillvineyards.com 23595 Winery Lane, Middleburg, VA 20117 JUNE 2022
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Foaling Season with Dr. Ellen Stephens Written by Sarah Hickner | Photos by Joanne Maisano
W
hen scrolling through the Facebook page of Dr. Ellen Stephens of Laurel Inc Equine Reproduction, you’ll find a lady with sparkling eyes, a smile stretched across her face, and fuzzy foals posing in front of her. It’s clear Dr. Stephens loves her work, and her work loves her back. Dr. Stephens has spent decades working as a veterinarian in the equine reproductive field, developing a name for herself in the industry. When asked why she went into breeding, her answer is simple: “There’s a lot of positives!” The veterinary world is full of negatives. From colic surgeries to injuries, there’s never a shortage of tough moments. But, in the breeding world, there is a lot to celebrate. For Stepehens, that celebration is the product of achieving results. When a mare ovulates, her egg is able to be fertilized for eighteen hours. Sperm from a live cover breeding can live up to 48 hours inside the uterus, whereas sperm from artificial insemination only has a 12 to 24 hour lifespan. To put it bluntly, timing is everything, and windows of opportunity are small.
Dr. Stephens’ ultrasound machine is her most-used tool, and she checks mares frequently when working to get them in foal. Using the ultrasound to monitor the ovulation schedule of the mare helps her track the cycle and hopefully sync the insemination with the 18-hour ovulation window. By proactively checking and tracking, she’s often able to make the stars align. For years, Dr. Stephens had her own farm and clients came to her. One year she foaled out 60 mares with only a ten stall barn. However, the stationary nature of tending to her farm meant turning down opportunities elsewhere. When her lease on the property ended, she realized there was freedom in mobility. Dr. Stephens now makes farm calls. She visits five to ten mares a day and spends much of the late winter and early spring performing new foal exams. Her two biggest clients are Blue Ridge Farm and Hickory Tree Farm. Blue Ridge has been a Thoroughbred breedFoaling | Page 33
Top: Patricia Ramey and Dr. Stephens with a newborn foal. Bottom left: Another young foal romps around Blue Ridge Farm. Bottom right: Dr. Stephens tends to a newborn foal.
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Foaling | From page 32 ing farm since 1903 and Hickory Tree is a full-service Thoroughbred training facility that does everything from breeding to training racehorses. Though most breeding farms have staff who are experienced in foaling, her role is still vital. She arrives the following day to check the foal. “The first three days of life for the foal, minutes are hours and hours are days. If the foal even looks at you sideways, I need to be there.” When asked what she does during the off-season, she declares, “I visit my kids!” She loves to travel and collect memories like hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu with her son, a small animal veterinarian who lives in Seattle. “We like to do things, go on adventures.” In addition, she has a new off-season gig as a Virginia Racing Commission veterinarian. During the fall race meets at Colonial
Downs, she performed pre-race exams in order to check the horses for lameness before competing. Dr. Stephens was quick to point out, “We all just want what’s best for the horses.” She worked Gold Cup this year as well. For her latest adventure, Dr. Stephens has a 2022 foal of her own out of stakes-winning mare, Beware of the Bop. Dr. Stephens took care of Beware of the Bop for several years when she was bred to Scat Daddy, Gio Ponte, Ghost Zapper, and others. When her client, Jim Carter, sold his farm, he wanted to make sure the mare went to a forever home. Dr. Stephens gladly stepped up. Dr. Stephens’ favorite thing about the breeding business is that “It’s a really happy place, people love their foals. And the other thing that’s great is having been here for so long the fillies turn into broodmares and then they have a baby! You develop lifelong friendships with the clients and the horses.” ML
Right: Mom and baby enjoying the sunshine.
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Polo In The Park! The Ambassadors’ Cup
Arena Polo
June 18, 2022
Every Saturday, July 9 to August 13
Gates open at 10:00 a.m. Match starts at 11:00 a.m. on the Morven Park Polo Field Field..
Gates open at 6:00 p.m. First match at 7:00 p.m. at the Davis Polo Arena
Mill Reef: A Legacy of Heart — First Public Film Premiere —
One of racing’s most famous thoroughbreds was born just down the road. Join the Oak Spring Garden Foundation for a free screening of this 33-minute film celebrating the life and legacy of Mill Reef. For event details, visit
PoloInThePark.org 2022 Gold SponSorS
A Decade Afield
Celebrating 10 Years of the NSLM’s 34
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Museum
June 15th at 5:30 p.m. Middleburg Community Center 300 West Washington St, Middleburg, VA No Reservations Necessary
image credits at NationalSporting.org
National Sporting L i br a ry & M use u m
102 The Plains Rd, Middleburg, VA 20117 540-687-6542 | NationalSporting.org
June 3–September 18, 2022
Jumpers 2022
WHAT ARE YOU DOING
FRIDAY NIGHT? JULY 1 . JULY 22 . AUGUST 5 . SEPTEMBER 9
Gates open at 6:30 $30/carload Featuring
7PM - $500 Child/Adult Classic 8:30PM - $5,000 Mini Prix
at
Tailgating, VIP Boxes, DJ & Dancing until late!
GREAT MEADOW 5089 OLD TAVERN ROAD • THE PLAINS,VA 20198 EquestrianFoundation.org • ���3������3��� • Find us on Facebook! Presented by the High Performance Equestrian Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
PHOTO� © CALLIE BROADDUS
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Goodstone Inn Hosts Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine for “Extraordinary Lives” Speaker Series Written by Heidi Baumstark | Photos by Joanne Maisano
O
n May 4, 2022, two former U.S. ambassadors were guest speakers at Goodstone Inn’s “Extraordinary Lives” speaker series. The event, which was held outdoors on the beautifully manicured grounds at Goodstone, featured Marie Yovanovitch — former ambassador to Ukraine (2016-2019) — in conversation with American diplomat, Michael McKinley, to discuss her new memoir titled, “Lessons from the Edge.” Before her appointment to Ukraine, Yovanovitch worked in multiple State
Department posts, including serving as ambassador to Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Throughout her 33-year foreign service career, she served under six administrations. McKinley — former special advisor to the Secretary of State and former ambassador to Brazil, Afghanistan, Columbia, and Peru — guided the conversation about Yovanovitch’s first-hand experiences as a diplomat. Eventually, the discussion expanded to current foreign affairs relating to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February
24, 2022, just weeks before the March 15 release of Yovanovitch’s book. Mark Betts welcomed guests to his Goodstone estate, which he owns with his wife, Shelley Slade. “This evening [we have] two of America’s finest diplomats — Yovanovitch and McKinley — [who] have been in foreign service for decades. Yovanovitch’s book is amazing, and she has an incredible story to tell,” he emphasized. Part of that story encompasses her ambassadorial duties which included furthering American interests, fighting corruption, promoting good government, human rights, and the rule of law. During the conversation, McKinley noted how the book highlights Yovanovitch’s personal courage. He explained that Yovanovitch’s parents lived in war-torn Europe, and in the 1940s, fled Nazi and communist regimes. They emigrated to Canada after World War II where they got married. In 1962, they moved to America and lived in Kent, Connecticut. As a young girl, Yovanovitch remembers her mother telling stories of growing up in Nazi Germany. She explained, “One reason I wrote the book was to honor my parents Host | Page 37 Top: Goodstone Inn. Bottom: Marie Yovanovitch and Michael McKinley sit down to discuss her new book.
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Host | From page 36 who endured so much and were real role models. Coming from another country, my parents had a sense of ‘dislocation’… We grew up hearing about their experiences and it made me want to experience different cultures.” Commenting on the current war in Ukraine, Yovanovitch shared, “It’s a terrible thing. Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and Russia wants to bring Ukraine back into the fold. That’s a tragedy for Ukraine.” The guest list for Yovanovitch’s Goodstone Inn talk included alumni from her alma mater, Princeton. One of these Princetonians was Betts’ wife. “Shelley was [Yovanovitch’s] roommate at Princeton,” he added. Another friend in attendance was Bruce McBarnette of Sterling, Virginia, who went to the same high school as Yovanovitch in Kent, both part of the class of 1976, and then studied with her at Princeton. “I’m happy to see her doing well given the mistreatment she endured; it’s a witness to her integrity and character that she was able to prevail,” McBarnette said. Perhaps her ability to prevail is inspired by a comment Yovanovitch included at the end of her book, a quote from the late Colin Powell: “Diplomacy is an optimistic profession.” “He made a huge impression on me,” Yovanovitch explained. “Optimism — it’s a discipline. It helps us get through the day.” Regarding future speakers for the “Extraordinary Lives” series, Slade says, “We’re considering different speaker options and intend to host another event this fall.” ML Goodstone Inn & Restaurant is located at 36205 Snake Hill Road in Middleburg, Virginia. For more information, call 540-687-3333 or visit goodstone.com. Top: Goodstone Inn provided a beautiful backdrop for the conversation. Middle left: Jaqueline Mars and Catherine “Bundles” Murdock were in attendance. Middle right: Judnefera and Judith Rasayon attended the event. Bottom: A large crowd listened intently.
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GOING OUT ON A LIMB AT OLD DENTON Story by Heidi Baumstark
“G
oing out on a limb” is defined as putting oneself in a risky, extreme, or precarious
situation. That’s just what one Civil War soldier did as he literally clung to the branch of an old black walnut tree hiding from Union troops on the hunt for him. His name? None other than John Singleton Mosby. Climbing out of an upper bedroom window of a house in The Plains, he hung on to that tree the night of June 8, 1863, at a property called Old Denton. This spring, the Virginia Piedmont Historical Area Association (VPHAA) sponsored a program at Old Denton, a 58-acre property owned by VPHAA members Garon and Donna Stutzman who graciously opened their home and grounds for tours, complete with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails near the fire pit — and next to the old black walnut tree. That black walnut tree still stands on the northeast side of the main brick house, which was built circa 1860. Under that tree, guests gathered for a brief history lesson. VPHAA’s chair, C. Dulany Morison, welcomed guests and thanked the Stutzmans for their hospitality. Morison introduced VPHAA’s director of education, Travis Shaw, who delivered his talk about the property.
STORY OF OLD DENTON, ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS WESTERN VIEW In 1796, James Adams purchased the property and a vernacular brick house dating to 1820 was built for him. He lived with his two daughters, Mary Jane and Elizabeth. Old Denton was completed by James Henry Hathaway. He constructed his house in front of Adams’ house who became his father-in-law when Hathaway married Mary Jane. In 1854, Mary Jane succumbed to typhoid fever. Three years later, James married her sister, Elizabeth. Originally, Old Denton was named Western View by the Hathaways for its view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It stands as one of the last grand homes in Fauquier County built during Virginia’s late antebellum period (1832-1860) before the start of the Civil War. Initially the house was stuccoed, which was later removed to expose the red brick exterior. A prosperous farmer, Hathaway sold agricultural supplies in the Landmark area southeast of Middleburg. Shaw explains, “This home is one of a kind in Fauquier County with its Greek revival and Italianate style which reflects Hathaway's economic status.” A brick meat house Denton | Page 39
Top: Travis Shaw (left) and Dulany Morison (right) on the front porch steps of Old Denton in The Plains. Bottom: James Adams’ house built in 1820 on the Old Denton property.
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Denton | From page 38 circa 1860 is still on the property near the infamous “Mosby Tree.” During the Civil War, this house would be a favored spot for Confederate meetings. In 1863, Mosby (known as the “Gray Ghost”) was visiting the Hathaways, and on June 8, 1863, Mosby’s wife, Pauline, had come to Old Denton to be with her husband. But someone tipped off a contingent of the 1st New York Cavalry that Mosby was there. That evening, Union troops searched the property in the middle of the night forcing Mosby to climb out of the bedroom window and balance himself on the tree’s branch until the early
morning. He left on June 9, and a little over 24 hours later, he formed the 43rd Virginia Cavalry Battalion (known as Mosby’s Rangers) in the parlor of the Caleb Rector House in Marshall, now the headquarters of the VPHAA. After the war, James Hathaway successfully navigated the economic realities of the Reconstruction era (1865-1877) and was an important figure in upper Fauquier with his stylish home, which he owned until his death in 1893. Entering the 20th century, George and Sara Roszel acquired the home in 1906 and renamed it Denton after their home in England. NEW BATCH OF NEW YORKERS ON THE HUNT Old Denton became a popular site in the early 20th century for many who engaged in the Piedmont’s growing foxhunting scene. “By the 1930s, this area was becoming the epicenter of American Hunt Country,” Shaw says. In 1937, Old Denton was purchased by Robert Bonnell Young and his wife, Sybil Whigham Young. Both were wealthy New Yorkers drawn here by the equestrian culture. As an avid foxhunter and field master of the Orange County Hounds (OCH), Young transformed his property to reflect the family’s passion for the sport. This foxhunting legacy continued to the next generation as his son, James (“Jimmy”) L. Young, served as master of OCH for decades. The Young’s tenure at Old Denton stands as the longest ownership in the property’s history. The Youngs were also passionate about the rural preservation movement in the Middleburg area, raising
cattle and thoroughbred horses. OLD DENTON’S NEXT CHAPTER Old Denton was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 and purchased by the Stutzmans in 2019. They beautifully renovated and furnished the original 1820s structure — now a guest house — and the 1860s Old Denton manor house. The couple share a passion for gracious country living, horses, mules, and foxhunting. VPHAA MEMBERS AND FOXHUNTING FANS CELEBRATE THE HISTORIC PROPERTY Bill Wilkin, an appointed member of the Loudoun County Heritage Commission, emphasizes that “opening this property for others is a public service.” Mark Crowley of Bluemont attended the program with Judy Sleeter Kane of Winchester. Crowley remarks, “We’re becoming real VPHAA groupies. We love their programs. The last one we attended was at Foxcroft School in Middleburg.” As the evening sky darkened, a young couple, Matt Berg and Caitlin Tabachka, walked out on the back porch. Middleburg resident Berg remembers, “I used to sleep on this porch when the Youngs lived here in the 1990s; I was friends with Rob Young.” Tabachka grew up in a foxhunting family and her father was huntsman for the Middleburg Hunt. Today, she lives in a cabin in Millwood that dates back to 1810. “We’re lovers of preservation,” she says. “Growing up with foxhunting has given me an appreciation for the country and history, which has become part of my values.” And whatever happened to the actual tree limb? It’s no longer there, but the tree — and its story — live on. ML VPHAA is dedicated to their mission of “preservation through education.” They work to keep communities involved in preservation through their educational programs, engaging a 1,000-plus membership base and a board of volunteers. For more information on membership and programs, visit VPHAA at piedmontheritage.org.
Top: VPHAA’s Travis Shaw points to the tree where Mosby hid from Union soldiers on June 8, 1863. Bottom: The crowd at Old Denton during the VPHAA's April program.
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Our Favorite Local Things for Father’s Day
Assorted Truffles, $8.95 per box, Available at Raymer's Homemade Candies
Panama Hat, $269, Available at Country Classics
New Silk Tie Designs, $125, Available at Highcliffe Clothiers
Wild Hare Cider Club Membership, $250 (Gold), $500 (Platinum), Available at Wild Hare Cider Hybrid Un/Tucked Shirt, $65, Available at Britches Great Outdoors
Set of four Stirrup Cups, $450, Available at Another Blue Moon
“American Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye” by Clay Risen, $24.95, Available at Brick & Mortar
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Gift Certificate for 20 units of Xeomin after purchase of 50 units, Available at Virginia Regenerative Medicine & Spa
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SPRING INTO SUMMER AT THE BYRNE GALLERY June 1-July 2 | thebyrnegallery.com The Byrne Gallery in Middleburg is proud to present “Spring Into Summer.” The new show celebrates the arrival of warm weather and clear skies with a selection of vibrant landscape and still life oil paintings by artists Lida Matheson Stifel and Bart Levy. Stop by to enjoy the masterful way that these two plein air artists bring the natural beauty of the outdoors into the gallery. There will be a special reception for the artists on Saturday, June 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. Both the reception for the artists and the exhibition are open to the public and all are invited to attend.
SALAMANDER UNCORKED: LIGHT AND CRISP SUMMER WINES June 9 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. | salamanderresort.com
UPPERVILLE COLT & HORSE SHOW June 6-12 | upperville.com
DAIRY DAY AT LOUDOUN HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM June 11 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. heritagefarmmuseum.org
Upperville Colt & Horse Show, the oldest horse show in America, is a week-long hunter and jumper show. From International FEI 4* jumper classes to classes for amateurs, juniors, side saddle, and hunter breeding, Upperville is unique in its prestige combined with community hospitality and an open, welcoming atmosphere. With over 70 distinct vendors, a variety of food trucks, muscle cars on display, and, of course, horses and
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ponies of every size and color, UCHS has something for everyone!
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Join Salamander Resort & Spa’s sommelier Catherine Watkins for a casual and interactive wine tasting event. Pairings will include five wines and five small bites, plus education on the wines and the region. At the end of the tasting experience, guests will have the opportunity to purchase their favorite bottles to take home at a 15 percent discount. Tickets are $75 per person. To reserve, please call 855-614-7136.
Come enjoy all things dairy. Visit with dairy animals, enjoy festival games, and learn about the dairy industry. Grab a beer float from Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum’s beer and wine garden (extra drink fees apply). Tickets are $7.50 per person or $5 per person for groups of four or more. Children under the age of two are free.
SUNDAY FUNDAY AT LOST BARREL BREWING June 12 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | lostbarrel.com Join Lost Barrel Brewing for Sunday FUNDay — A way to drink for a good cause! During this fundraising event, Lost Barrel Brewing will donate 10 percent of beer sales to the Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART). HART is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) no-kill animal rescue/support group that takes in and rehomes abused and unwanted dogs and cats. No tickets are required for this event. OAK SPRING PRESENTS: “MILL REEF: A LEGACY OF HEART” June 15 | 5:30 p.m. middleburgcommunitycenter.com/calendar “Mill Reef: A Legacy of Heart” is a 33-minute film by Cassidy Glascock which chronicles the life and legacy of renowned thoroughbred Mill Reef and the commitment and passion of the people surrounding him. Mill Reef, named 1971 Horse of the Year, was born just down the road at Paul Mellon's Rokeby Stables and went on to become one of Europe's most storied racing champions. Calendar | Page 43
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Calendar | From page 42 Join the Oak Spring Garden Foundation for the first public screening of the film at the Middleburg Community Center. The screening is free and no reservations are required. FATHER’S DAY BBQ AT BOXWOOD June 19 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | boxwoodwinery.com Celebrate Dad with a buffet lunch of slow-cooked and smoked meats using the best elements of the Carolinas, Texas, Memphis, and Kansas City styles. Set in Boxwood’s Pavilion and served with two glasses of our highly-rated Boxwood Estate wines, this event will show Dad just how special he is to you! Tickets are $65 dollars per person. JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AT THE PINK BOX June 19 | 1 - 4 p.m. themiddleburgmuseum.org/the-pink-box/ The Middleburg Museum and the Town of Middleburg have partnered with the Thomas Balch Library and the Willisville Preservation Foundation to host the first annual Juneteenth celebration at the Pink Box. Enjoy hotdogs and hamburgers with all the fixings! The Middleburg
Museum will demonstrate the story of Juneteenth and how it impacted the civil rights movement in the community.
“LOST GENERATION” AUTHORS F. SCOTT FITZGERALD AND THOMAS WOLFE VISIT WELBOURNE June 23 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | piedmontheritage.org
FATHER’S DAY SUNDAY SUPPER AT THE BUTTERY June 19 | 6:30 p.m. | lockestore.com
Maxwell Perkins, famed Scribner’s editor to the "Lost Generation," was a lifelong friend of Elizabeth Lemmon of Welbourne. Perkins sent F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe to stay at Welbourne to escape the indulgence of city life. Attendees will learn about the experiences that influenced them to use the home as a setting in short stories. Tickets are $65 for VPHAA members and $75 for non-members. Afterward there will be a cocktail reception at Welbourne featuring French 75s & Manhattans. Copies of “As Ever Yours: The Letters of Max Perkins and Elizabeth Lemmon'' will be available for purchase.
This Sunday Supper will feature a seasonally-inspired menu from Executive Chef Ellie McMillen and The Buttery kitchen along with a menu of hand-picked wines, beers, and cocktails. Tickets are $60 per person. Multiple courses will be served throughout the evening including Korean BBQ beef, roasted cucumber salad, and Tahini donuts. Drinks and gratuity are not included. FATHER’S DAY AT GREAT COUNTRY FARM June 19 | greatcountryfarms.com Dad will love heading out to the country for Father’s Day, especially if he loves to fish. Compete in the Fish-a-Rama catch and release contest hosted at the pond by Henway Hard Cider, play on the farm, and enjoy time with family! Prizes are on the line for the largest catch of the day and the most fish hooked during the Power Hour.
NSLM OPEN LATE CONCERT SERIES June 24 | 6 - 8 p.m. | nationalsporting.org Bring your chairs or blanket and enjoy a free concert by the Silver Tones Swing Band on the lawn of the National Sporting Library & Museum. The concert and museum admission are free and open to the public. Picnics are welcome but no glass containers or outside alcohol is permitted. Concessions will be available and there is free parking onsite. Pets must be leashed. ML
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Free General Admission and Parking
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Your Life is Now Discover the magic of the Virginia countryside with captivating adventures for the entire family, indulge in nourishing treatments at Salamander Spa, or awaken your senses with unforgettable culinary experiences.
888.783.4832
SalamanderResort.com
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Middleburg Living with Robin Short Land Trust of Virginia Advocate, Blue Ridge Hunt, Virginia Piedmont Heritage Association
Before the sun rises and the early morning dew sets, Robin takes her horse out for a ride... it’s the little things that she loves about Middleburg that make it truly extraordinary. For almost twenty years, Robin has used her local knowledge to help her clients find their special place in Hunt Country and beyond. For a trusted neighborhood expert, connect with Robin to make your next move.
Robin Short, Associate Broker I 11 West Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 I tel. 703.728.2172 I RShort@McEnearney.com Middleburg I Leesburg I McLean I Alexandria I North Arlington I Clarendon I Vienna I Spring Valley I 14th Street I Kensington I Equal Housing Opportunity