Wirtland facts for kids
Wirtland
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![]() Wirtland - Front lawn
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Location | S of Oak Grove on VA 638, near Oak Grove, Virginia |
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Area | 108 acres (44 ha) |
Built | 1850 |
Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 79003097 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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Added to NRHP | March 15, 1979 |
Wirtland is a historic house located in Westmoreland County, Virginia. It is close to the small town of Oak Grove. This amazing home was built in 1850 by William Wirt, Jr. His father, William Wirt, was a very important lawyer who served as the U.S. Attorney General. This means he was the chief lawyer for the United States government.
Wirtland is a great example of a country house built in the Gothic Revival style. This style was popular back then and often included pointed arches and fancy decorations. Because of its special design and history, Wirtland was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This list recognizes important historical places across the United States.
Contents
Discovering Wirtland's Design
Wirtland is a large, two-story house made of brick. It is surrounded by a beautiful park that is about 15 acres big. This park was designed in the Victorian style, which means it had a very planned and pretty look.
Inside the House
The house itself is shaped like a cross. It has a central chimney and many porches around its outside walls. The exterior is covered in a material called stucco, which gives it a smooth finish.
Inside, Wirtland is just as impressive. You can see fancy plasterwork on the walls and ceilings. There are also beautiful marble fireplaces. One of the most amazing features is a tall, two-story spiral staircase. The Gothic style is everywhere, from the detailed decorations to the overall feel of the rooms.
Who Lived at Wirtland?
After William Wirt, Jr. passed away in 1899, his son and daughter-in-law, William Dabney Wirt and Garnett Pendleton Wirt, took over the house. They used Wirtland for a special purpose.
A School for Girls
For a while, Wirtland was a boarding school for young women. This means students lived and studied right there in the house. The Wirts ran this school until they sold the property in 1918.
Famous Owners and Family Ties
After the Wirts, the house had a few different owners. One owner was Robert Edward Lee Lewis. He was a descendant of Martha Washington, who was the wife of America's first president, George Washington.
In 1924, a famous writer and playwright named Paul Kester bought Wirtland. He had owned other important historic homes before. Kester sold the house in 1927.
Interestingly, the house was then bought by Edward M. L'Engle. He was the grandson of the original builder, Dr. William Wirt, through his daughter Fannie. Even though L'Engle lived in Florida, he let his uncle, William Wirt, live out his final years at Wirtland.
Later, L'Engle's cousin, Augusta Dabney Wirt Nalle, and her husband lived there. Augusta was also a descendant of the original Wirt family.
Restoring Wirtland
In 1940, Burton and Harriet Slocum bought the home. They worked hard to restore and fix up Wirtland during the 1940s and 1950s. Their efforts helped preserve the house's beauty and history.
Wirtland Today
Today, Wirtland is considered one of the most important houses of its style in Virginia. Its beautiful park is also special. It is one of the few remaining examples of Victorian landscaping.
Since 1967, Wirtland has been owned by Ingleside Plantation Nurseries. It is currently the home of the company's president.
Neighboring Historic Homes
Right next door to Wirtland is another historic house called Roxbury. This Victorian home was built in the 1860s by another son of Attorney General Wirt. Roxbury is now owned by Ingleside Plantation Vineyards, which is one of Virginia's oldest vineyards. Like Wirtland, Roxbury is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.