Exeter (Leesburg, Virginia) facts for kids

Exeter was a beautiful old house built in the late 1700s near Leesburg, Virginia. It was designed in the Georgian style, which was popular back then. Exeter was so special that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Sadly, the house was destroyed by a fire in August 1980 and was later removed from the Register.

Exeter's History

Exeter was built around 1790 by a doctor named Wilson Cary Selden. He built it on land he received from his first wife, Mary Mason Selden. She was related to George Mason, an important person in American history. Dr. Selden and his second wife, Eleanor Love Selden, made Exeter the main building of their large farm, called a plantation.

Changes Over Time

In 1835, Dr. Selden's son, Wilson Cary Selden, Jr., took over the property. But he sold it in 1846 to General George Rust. General Rust made the house even bigger by adding rooms to the back.

Exeter During the Civil War

Exeter played a part in the American Civil War. A famous battle called the Battle of Ball's Bluff happened on the land around the house. During this time, Confederate General Jubal Early even used Exeter as his headquarters.

The End of Exeter

By the 1970s, the house was not in good shape. It was destroyed by a fire in August 1980. After the fire, it was removed from the National Register of Historic Places.

What Exeter Looked Like

Exeter was a very grand house with seven main parts. It had a tall, two-story porch at the front with four large columns. This porch was added in the 1830s. The porch also had special railings that looked like a Chinese design.

House Design Details

On either side of the porch, there were parts of the house that were set back slightly. Then, even further back, there were smaller sections that connected to little buildings at each end. The top floor of the house had a special roof called a gambrel roof, which made the house look a bit smaller and more elegant.

Inside the House

When you walked into Exeter, you would enter a main hall. Behind it was a staircase. To one side was a living room, and to the other was a dining room. Upstairs, there were three main bedrooms. Most of the original wooden details inside the house were still there. An addition built in the 1850s added more rooms to the back.

Outbuildings and Surroundings

Around the main house, there were several smaller buildings. One of these has been fixed up and is now used as a community center. Sadly, a barn on the property was torn down to build a bypass for U.S. Route 15.

Exeter was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 14, 1973. After it was destroyed by fire in August 1980, it was removed from the list.