EXQUISITE 27-ACRE RIVERFRONT ESTATE IN WASHINGTON DC
River Farm, a sweeping 27.5-acre estate known for its unobstructed views of the Potomac River and impeccably maintained gardens, is on the market for the first time in nearly 50 years.
A Rich and Longstanding History
The estate’s first owners were the Brents, an English Catholic family active in early colonial Maryland. In 1653 or 1654, Giles Brent obtained 1,800 acres for his son, Giles, Jr. and his wife, a princess of the Piscataway tribe. This grant, named Piscataway Neck, included the land that is now River Farm.
In 1760, George Washington bought the land for £1,210. Along with the purchase of three other nearby tracts, Washington consolidated his holdings into a single, contiguous plantation of approximately 7,400 acres. River Farm became the northernmost of Washington’s five farms.
Over 150 years later, Malcolm Matheson bought the property in 1919 and remodeled the home into the charming early-20th century country estate that stands there today. In 1973, American Horticultural Society (AHS) board member and philanthropist Enid Annenberg Haupt provided funds for the AHS to purchase the property. Since its founding in 1922, the AHS has educated Americans about and advocated for Earth-friendly and sustainable gardening practices. At River Farm, the AHS nurtures the next generation of gardeners with weekly composting classes, symposiums, and resources such as heat-zone maps to teach optimal plant placement based on heat tolerance.
The Alexandria & Fort Hunt Community
Though only 20 minutes south of Washington, DC, the serene property feels a world away. River Farm is located south of Old Town Alexandria in the quiet and leafy Fort Hunt neighborhood of Fairfax County.
The scenic 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail passes just outside the front gates, and additional recreational opportunities abound. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is just three minutes north, and Fort Hunt Park is an equal distance to the south.
Old Town Alexandria
Charming Old Town Alexandria is a favorite destination for locals and tourists who love a healthy dose of history while shopping and dining. From the waterfront west on King Street, you’ll find art studios, galleries, shops and restaurants.
In addition to its centuries-old historical significance, River Farm is fused with local culture as a contemporary pillar of community and education. As it undergoes its next chapter, the next owner certainly has big shoes to fill.