| Hallwood 23359 | | | MLS #60515 |
13485 Wharton Drive
| 3 Bedrooms + 3.5 Baths | | | $2,495,000 | | | 4,410 Sq Ft |
Welcome to Wharton Place
High ground with gardens and brick paths sloping down to the water and protected from future development by a conservation easement.
There are approximately 59 acres of farmland, 20 acres of woods, and 12 acres of tidal marsh, with the remaining acreage being lawn and gardens.
100.4 Acres on Assawoman Creek
Wharton Place has long been regarded as one of the finest period homes on the Eastern Shore of VA. With 100.4 acres (+/-) and nearly 2,500 ft of Assawoman Creek frontage, its views extend to Wallops Island and the Atlantic Ocean. Placement under a conservation easement in 2006 with VESLT reflected not only its place in history, but also protected its future. While significant restorations have taken place since the 1940s, most recently with Williamsburg-based architecture and paint specialists, modernizations have been made to accommodate 21st century living, including a geothermal high-efficiency, three-zone HVAC system. This property is well suited for architecture and outdoors enthusiasts.
Circa 1805
Built in a Federal Style with some Georgian influences, Wharton Place was sited with its four corners oriented to the compass cardinal points, taking full advantage of passive natural light throughout the day and perhaps reflecting Wharton’s time at sea and observations of nature. Believed to have been constructed for John and Elizabeth Wharton by Isaac Gibbons and Cyrus Sharp, Wharton Place shares many design and ornament features with several other homes on the Eastern Shore including “Brownsville” (Nassawadox, VA), “Ker Place” (Onancock, VA), and “Beckford” (Princess Anne, MD).
Elegant design
There is no traditional center hall. Instead rooms radiate from a large square entry chamber, sometimes referred to as a “Maryland” floor plan. A room to the left is believed to be John Wharton’s office, and the room to the right is the front parlor. The staircase ascends around an open well three stories to the attic with access to the widow’s walk and two “trunk” rooms now used as overflow bedrooms. The staircase has turned balusters and spandrels featuring the dogwood motif found elsewhere at the house. A half bathroom was installed below the stairs in the entry hall.
The back parlor and dining room were presumably used for entertaining. Both of these rooms, as well as the two rooms above, have original fireplace mantels signed by Philadelphia-based Robert Wellford. His design compositions include ornaments such as garlands, swags, urns, flower baskets and classical figures. These fireplaces are faced with King of Prussia marble. 3D-printed dentils replace and follow the ghosts of original trim lost over time.
The quarter kitchen wing is contemporaneous to the main house block and not an addition. During a recent restoration, the brick veneer was removed from a section of the main house block and revealed structural brick matching the quarter kitchen and explaining the difference in color. . Referred to as a quarter kitchen, it contained both living quarters and cooking facilities.. Evidence has been found of service bell pulls to summon staff when needed. Original hardware is still in the fireplace that facilitated food preparation. The brick floor in the kitchen was originally not mortared, and was likely dry set. The window at end of the current galley kitchen was originally a door.
Original Quarter Kitchen
Second Floor Bedrooms
The second level floor plan mimics that of the first floor with the exception of an original back hallway which separates the west and north chambers. The room above what was John Wharton’s office was converted to a bathroom and later divided to become two bathrooms.
Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Not intended to solicit sellers or buyers under written contract with another REALTOR®.
Anne Kyle Doughty
Real Estate Broker/Owner, GRI, LPS
Coldwell Banker Harbour Realty
Independently owned and operated.
Independently owned and operated.
22639 Center Pkwy, Accomac, VA 23301