Just like Old Rag Mountain, the historic Belle Meade Schoolhouse is an iconic part of the scenic F. T. Valley. Located just south of Sperryville, this spectacular building has graced the valley for about 110 years. What an incredible opportunity to own a piece of Rappahannock history.
The schoolhouse was built in 1914 and served as a school until it closed in the late 1950s. The Francis Thornton Valley Road was changed over the decades and eventually the schoolhouse was too close to the road. The current owner bought it in 1998 and undertook the massive project of building a new foundation away from the road, moving the structure onto the foundation, and renovating. After 20 years as Belle Meade School, this historic structure is now ready to begin its next chapter.
The schoolhouse is 5,231 sq.ft. of soaring ceilings, tall windows, and bright, airy spaces. The hallway upstairs has a clerestory cupola that invites in even more light. There are 4 large classrooms on the main level and 2 bathrooms. The original chalkboards are still in use and the wood floors are stunning. The classrooms on the west side have double doors leading out to the large back deck that overlooks the garden and mountains.
The lower level opens to a huge room that has seen many school plays and even a wedding reception or two. Tables, seating and linens for 100, and dishes, glasses and flatware for 75 can be included with the sale. This room has multiple doors to the outside patios and large closets.
Just off this event room is a kitchen with a 6-burner Wolf range, dish sanitizer, and triple sink making catering a breeze. Opposite the kitchen is the mudroom that leads out to the side patio. Down the hallway are the bathrooms and laundry.
The exterior of the schoolhouse features poplar siding, metal roof, and ramp access from the parking area. The views are beautiful in all directions and include the peaks of Old Rag and Doubletop mountains.
The 7 acre parcel also includes a 2,590 square foot cottage, built in 2010. The cottage is being used as part of the school, providing classrooms for the younger children. As part of the accessibility modifications, the tub was removed from the main floor bathroom and stored, and an access ramp was added to the back deck.
The cottage has Hardie-plank type siding and a standing seam metal roof. There is a wrap-around deck and a patio, perfect for outdoor entertaining. The great room on the main level has 9 ft. ceilings, a 4-panel sliding door that opens to the deck, and a cozy fireplace. The kitchen adjoins the great room and has gorgeous cherry cabinets and granite counters. Just off the great room is a dining room with northwest mountain views. The main floor bedroom has 2 closets, with a convenient stacked washer and dryer in one of them. Rounding out the main floor is a hall bath.
The entire upper floor is a cozy suite with dormer windows that overlook the surrounding fields and mountains. The suite includes a full bath with a walk-in shower and a skylight.
The expansive lower level has high ceilings, a glass door, and two sets of 4-panel sliding doors leading out to the patio and back yard. There is a full bath and a laundry room on this level.
Because of the uniqueness of the property, the listing stats include cumulative numbers for both structures. Classrooms are considered bedrooms for reporting purposes and the sq.ft. is the total for both.
This unusual property provides a unique opportunity for a new owner with creativity and vision. Will it remain a school? Will it be completely reinvented? Perhaps the schoolhouse will be modified to become a stunning, one-of-a-kind home. Or perhaps an event space, with a cottage for the manager. There are so many possibilities for how to use this historic building. School permits transfer to a new owner. A meeting with the Zoning Administrator is recommended for other possibilities. What will be written as the next chapter in the Belle Meade Schoolhouse story?
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