The Farm is
one of central Virginia’s tucked away historic sites that was founded in the
mid eighteen hundreds. The Farm is a
1020 acre plantation that was built by Nicholas Meriwether in the year of 1735,
and is located in what is known as the historic downtown in the city of
Charlottesville, Virginia. The property went on to be owned by Colonel Nicholas
Lewis, who is the uncle of Meriwether Lewis. This property served as a home and
landmark for the British Colonel Banastre Tarleton for a short period of time
in the summer of 1781. The property was
later split and sold in portions throughout the late eighteenth and nineteenth
century. A known buyer and organizer is John
A. G. Davis, a lawyer in the city of Charlottesville and later a professor for
the University of Virginia law school, who purchased part of the original tract
in the year of 1825.
John A. G. Davis went on to build a brick
home on the plantation in the year of 1826, resembling the craftsmanship and deign
of Thomas Jefferson’s college, The University of Virginia. This home was built in what is known as Albemarle
County in central Virginia’s Charlottesville.
The home was abandoned and neglected for a period of time throughout the
late eighteen and early nineteen hundreds.
Fortunately, the home on The Farm was
restored by two architects, and refinished in 1994 by two architects.
Over time, the brick home on this
plantation has been lived in by multiple historical families following John A.
G. Davis. In today’s society, The Farm
continues to be an important historical setting in the state of Virginia
because is considered to be the most well-known example and representation of
Jeffersonian residential architecture. Today,
this site lies on a street, which has now been surrounded by homes and
communities forming a neighborhood in downtown Charlottesville. The
Farm is now privately owned property, and is lived in by a family.
If tourists were to walk on the street where The Farm is located, they will see how
this location is tucked behind trees on a sidewalk that blocks most of the view
of the home. However, for the section
that is visible, tourists will see the original design and beauty of the columns,
tall windows, brick square, double porched layout that gives off a “colonial”
look. While observing the home, viewers
will notice how the University of Virginia has the same column effect, and
original design across the main lawn looking towards academic buildings on campus
if being compared. The Farm is a beautiful example of a preserved historical setting
located in Virginia. Being from Charlottesville,
I was surprised to walk along this street and discover such a remarkable location
that I had never heard of before. I am
astounded to learn more about the history of how The Farm was originated, and I look forward to discovering more
historical settings around me that I may not even realize are there.
