Gen. William Mitchell House facts for kids
Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell House
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Location | 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south of Middleburg on VA 626, near Middleburg, Virginia |
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Area | 120 acres (49 ha) |
Built | 1826 |
Architect | William Swart; William Mitchell |
NRHP reference No. | 76002112 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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Added to NRHP | December 8, 1976 |
Designated NHL | December 8, 1976 |
The Gen. William Mitchell House, also known as Boxwood, was the country home of General Billy Mitchell (1879–1936). He lived here for the last ten years of his life, from 1926 to 1936. Billy Mitchell was an important American general. Many people see him as the "father" of the U.S. Air Force. He is known as one of the most famous and talked-about people in American airpower history.
This house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. It is located about half a mile south of Middleburg. You can find it on Virginia Route 626. The property is special because it sits across the county lines of Fauquier and Loudoun Counties. Today, part of the land is home to the Boxwood Estate Winery.
About Boxwood: General Mitchell's Home
Boxwood is a large property, about 120 acres (49 hectares) in size. It is located south of Middleburg in Loudoun County. The land stretches along the northwest side of Virginia Route 626. The main buildings are set far back from the road. The most important building is the farmhouse.
The Farmhouse: A Historic Building
The farmhouse started as a smaller farmstead in 1826. Now, it is shaped like an "L" and has 2-1/2 stories. The walls are made of stone, and it has wooden details. The oldest part of the farmhouse has a special roof. This roof curves downwards to cover a porch.
General Mitchell's Time at Boxwood
William Swart built the original farmhouse in 1826. Over the years, different people owned it. In 1925, Elizabeth Mitchell, General Billy Mitchell's wife, bought the property. The Mitchells added a new section to the southwest side of the house in 1925. They also built a separate small building. This building was used as their library.
Boxwood was their home until General Mitchell passed away in 1936. The house has not been changed much since then. General Mitchell loved horses and spent a lot of time writing here. He wrote many of his ideas about how to use air power in the military.