Historic Oak Lawn on the market for the first time since 1847
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- A historic property in Charlottesville is looking for a new owner. The historic Oak Lawn estate in Fifeville is on the market for the first time since 1847.
The family that has owned the home for all those years is the namesake for the neighborhood.
Aside from its age, this house was built by Thomas Jefferson’s architect, James Dinsmore. It currently sits on 5.2 acres and is listed for $4.2 million.
"A beautiful part of architectural history with wonderful Jeffersonian influences," said realtor Ross Stevens.
Originally built around 1822 on 300 acres, the Oak Lawn estate is located near the intersection of Cherry Avenue and Ninth Street SW.
"Five-point-two acres is the largest residential parcel in the city of Charlottesville," said Stevens.
Dinsmore, who also rebuilt Monticello, brought some familiar features to this home.
"What's fascinating about, is the staircase. Very Jeffersonian, very small, enclosed dogleg staircases," said Stevens.
Inside, people will find the original electrical wiring from when the house was set up for electric service, decorative plaster, six fireplaces and the original wood floors.
According to Stevens, the walls are 16 inches of solid brick. The thickness of the walls, along with the high ceilings, make for great acoustics as well.
Twenty-five years after it was built, it was sold to a real estate developer named James Fife, hence the name of the surrounding neighborhood known as Fifeville. It has been owned by the family until recently.
Francis Fife lived there with his wife Nancy O’Brien, until he died in 2015. He is now buried on the property.
Stevens hopes the potential buyer recognizes and protects its history.
"I would love to see a preservationist buy this property and keep it as the Fife's have and be wonderful stewards of the property," he said.
Oak Lawn is on the market as of Monday.