Speed the Plough (Monroe, Virginia) facts for kids
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Speed the Plough
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Distant view from Ambrose Rucker Road
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 Location in Virginia
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| Location | 389 Fair Lea Ln., Monroe, Virginia |
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| Area | 294 acres (119 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architect | William A. Dearing, et al. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000391 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 30, 2007 |
Speed the Plough is a historic farm in Amherst County, Virginia. It is located near the small village of Elon. This farm is special because it shows how farm buildings changed over many years. Some buildings date from around 1799, and others are as new as 1940.
The main house, a two-story brick building, was built in 1850. It was built for William Dearing. Before the American Civil War, people worked on the farm. Around 1915, the Dearing family sold the farm. The new owners, Montrose Fruit Company, turned the land into an apple and peach orchard. They didn't use the old house or most of the other buildings.
Later, Rowland Lea bought the land and house. His friend, George Stevens, built a unique stone house on the property. This house was called the Rock Cottage. Today, some old farm buildings have been fixed up. They are now homes, forming a small village within the farm's pastures.
Contents
Exploring Speed the Plough's Buildings
The Main Farmhouse: A Glimpse into the Past
The main house was built around 1850. It is a two-story brick building. It shows the Greek Revival style. This style was popular for its classic, simple look. The house has a main part and a smaller section at the back.
Inside, the house has a central hallway. A living room is on one side, and a dining room is on the other. In 1927, the Lea family added more to the house. They built a porch at the front. They also added a new section with a sitting room, dining room, and kitchen.
The Rock Cottage: A Unique Stone Home
The Rock Cottage was built in 1933 by Samuel Belk. It's a bit away from the main house. George Stevens hired an architect from New York to design it. He wanted it to look like an English hunting lodge. It was built where the farm's old kitchen used to be.
This house is made of stone and has a Tudor Revival style. It has a unique L-shape around a central chimney. The main room is called a "great hall." It's used as both a living and dining room. Inside, the walls have wooden beams, and the roof beams are visible.
One cool feature is a bookshelf that opens up. It hides a spiral iron staircase leading to the basement! There's a kitchen next to the great hall. The house also has stairs to the upper floor and the basement. A main bedroom suite is on the first floor. Upstairs, there are two more bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The basement has a large room with a fireplace. It was perfect for dancing or other fun activities. Near the cottage is a matching stone garage. It can hold three cars and has an apartment attached. The garage basement was used as a workshop.
Other Farm Structures: From Barns to Cemeteries
Many other buildings are found at Speed the Plough. A stone chicken house was built around 1933. It sits between the garage and the main house. There's also a large bank barn from 1933. It has a concrete base. The lower level was for milking cows and keeping horses. The upper level was for storing farm equipment. A small apartment is also part of the barn.
A tenant house, built around 1940, is made of concrete blocks. A pump house from 1933, originally for water, has been made bigger and is now a home. A tennis court was built around 1933. It replaced an old barn. It used to be clay but is now asphalt. Other structures include a concrete water tank and storage sheds.
The springhouse is the oldest building on the farm. It was built around 1799. It's made of dry-laid stones and was fixed up in 2006. The farm also has the Dearing family cemetery. It has an iron fence around it. William Dearing, his wife Jane, and their son Clarence are buried there. There is also a small African-American cemetery with a few markers. Another African-American cemetery is thought to be on the property, but its exact spot is unknown.
Speed the Plough's Journey Through Time
The land was first owned by Duncan Graham. He sold a large part of it to George McDaniel in 1788. Then, Philip Burton bought some of the land in 1799. After some family disagreements, the property went to John R. Irvine. In 1835, he sold it to Charles Ellis. People believe the land was used to grow tobacco for Ellis's company. Interestingly, Ellis's business partner, John Allan, was the foster father of the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe.
William Alexander Dearing bought the land in 1850. By then, the farm was already known as "Speed the Plough." This name is an old saying about good luck in farming. It's also the name of an old English song.
Dearing grew tobacco and corn on the farm. He built the main house around 1850 and other buildings until 1856. William Dearing died in 1862. His wife, Jane, then managed the farm and raised their three children. Jane passed away in 1910. Her daughter, Addie Dearing Cox, sold the farm in 1915.
The Montrose Fruit Company bought the land. They planted apple and peach trees. In 1927, the company sold the property to Theodora Stevens Lea and Rowland Lea. They had lived on a nearby farm since 1915. The Lea family was very active in the area. Many family members moved to Virginia to help with the farm.
George C. Stevens, a relative of Theodora, visited the farm. He worked for a company called Lloyds of London in New York. He loved the farm so much that he became partners with the Leas. He then built the unique Rock Cottage. The farm eventually went to Philip Girling, Theodora Lea Girling's son. His family still owns the land today.
Today, Speed the Plough operates as a bed and breakfast. It offers a chance to stay in a historic setting.
The farm was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 30, 2007. This listing helps protect its history and unique buildings.
