Carlheim facts for kids
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Carlheim
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Carlheim (Paxton Campus) Leesburg, Virginia
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Leesburg, Virginia |
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| Area | 52 acres (21 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| Architect | Dudley, Henry C.; Norris, John |
| Architectural style | Second Empire, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003050 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 28, 1979 |
Carlheim is a large, historic house located in Leesburg, Virginia. It is also known as Paxton. This beautiful mansion was built around 1872 for a wealthy businessman from Pennsylvania named Charles R. Paxton. He lived there with his wife, Rachel.
The house was originally part of a huge property, over 760 acres (3.1 km2) in size. This land stretched near places like the Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park and the Potomac River. After Mrs. Paxton passed away in 1921, she left the house and 50 acres (20 ha) of land to a special trust. This trust was set up to help "needy children."
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Carlheim: A Historic Home
Carlheim is a very important building. It was designed by a New York architect named Henry Dudley. The house is built in the Second Empire style, which was popular in the late 1800s. This style often features a special kind of roof called a mansard roof.
The mansion has 32 rooms and is nearly 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) in size. Because of its unique architecture and local importance, Carlheim was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it's recognized as a significant historical site. In 2004, it also became part of the Leesburg Historic District.
The Estate's Changing Entrances
When Carlheim was first built, you would enter the estate down a long driveway lined with trees. This driveway started from King Street. Today, that old entrance is gone. Now, there are two newer ways to get to Carlheim. One is from Wildman Street, which is usually closed. The main entrance, finished in 2009, is at 601 Catoctin Circle.
Some buildings from the original estate are still around but are no longer part of the main property. For example, the Farm Manager's Home is now a community clubhouse. There are also old creamery ruins at Red Rock Park.
Helping People with Disabilities
Today, Carlheim and its remaining 16-acre (65,000 m2) of land are home to The Arc of Loudoun. This organization is a leading group in Northern Virginia. They work to support people with disabilities and their families.
The Arc of Loudoun helps people of all ages. They offer different kinds of support, including education, therapy, and advocacy. Advocacy means speaking up for the rights and needs of people with disabilities.
Programs at Carlheim
The Arc of Loudoun has several helpful programs right on the Carlheim campus. These programs include:
- Ability Fitness Center: This center helps people with physical challenges stay active and healthy.
- Aurora Behavior Clinic: This clinic provides support for behavior and development.
- Aurora School: This is a special school that helps children learn and grow.
- A Life Like Yours ALLY Advocacy Center: This center helps families understand their rights and get the support they need.
- Open Door Learning Center: This center offers learning opportunities for different ages.
Fun Events at Carlheim
Even though Carlheim is private property, it hosts several events that are open to the public. These events often help raise money for The Arc of Loudoun's important work.
One major annual event is:
- Music at the Manor: This is a free concert series held in May. It's a great way for the community to enjoy music and the beautiful grounds of Carlheim.
