A one-of-a-kind Georgian manor located just 20 minutes from Richmond, VA, has found a buyer after just two days on the market.
Known as Walnut Hill Farm, the Greek Revival–influenced home was listed in April for $4.25 million and offers more than 6,500 square feet of interior living space defined by its historic character and craftsmanship.
Set amid the rolling countryside in western Hanover County, the five-bedroom home was completed in 1954 for celebrated Richmond philanthropists J. Harwood and Louise Cochrane. It was comprehensively renovated by its current owners in 2023.
“The couple were longtime board members and major donors of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts,” says listing agent Meg Grymes, with The Steele Group at Sotheby’s International Realty.
And it isn’t just the original owners that lend the property a distinct appeal, but also the way in which it was built.
“The home was actually designed around woodwork salvaged from Long Branch Estate—a circa 1816 Halifax County property that was Louise’s childhood home for several years, and which was considered ‘the finest of all the Staunton River mansions’ before its demolition in the late 1940s.”
Four soaring, 20-foot tapered columns define the covered entryway of the mansion, while custom brickwork, copper gutters, and a slate roof reinforce the Georgian-inspired symmetry.
Inside, heart pine floors and, of course, the salvaged millwork further elevate the estate.
“The millwork isn’t just beautiful, it’s deeply personal. The Long Branch Estate woodwork, which includes mantels, reeded pilasters, fanlights, wainscoting, and chair rails, is simply irreplaceable,” says Grymes.
Today, the home balances its history with modern comforts. The current owners undertook extensive renovations, most notably a complete reimagining of the kitchen and breakfast room in 2023. The updated space now features a La Cornue range, Sub-Zero appliances, Carrara marble countertops, and a custom walnut island accented with deVOL fixtures imported from England.
“The new chef’s kitchen renovation is a showstopper,” Grymes notes, adding that the upgrades extend throughout the property. “There isn’t a corner of this property that hasn’t been thoughtfully touched.”
Grand formal rooms transition seamlessly into comfortable gathering spaces, while each bedroom includes its own en suite bath. The primary suite wing offers an elevated retreat, complete with a marble bath, dressing room, gym, and private laundry.
Now encompassing 40 acres, which is still an impressive holding, the estate reflects the Cochranes’ lasting legacy. More than 400 acres were donated to fund the J. Harwood and Louise B. Cochrane Endowment for American Art after their deaths.
Beyond the manor, the estate unfolds into a collection of amenities designed for both recreation and retreat.
“The property has everything an active family could want—a saltwater pool, a cobblestone outdoor living pavilion with a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, pergola, and a top-of-the-line equestrian barn,” says Grymes.
The grounds themselves feel timeless and expansive. Formal walled gardens, mature boxwoods dating back more than seven decades, a 1-acre pond, and frontage along the South Anna River create a setting that’s both curated and natural.
“What makes Walnut Hill Farm truly once-in-a-lifetime is that it cannot be replicated,” says Grymes. “You cannot source this woodwork or manufacture 70 years of patina.”
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