America’s 1st home ever

What’s up, friends?

Today’s home gives us a taste of the 1800s, with a sprinkle of present-day electricity. This house is so old, it’s practically the first home to be built in America. From the architecture, design, and overall layout of the property, it feels like you’ve walked into a museum that emulates 1822… but instead it's just actually from 1822. 

In 2020, this home was meticulously dismantled, moved, then rebuilt on the land it’s on today. With Saturday being the 4th of July, I thought this home would be perfect to celebrate America’s 250th birthday!

Located in Lynchburg, VA, this 4-bed, 3-bath property has 4.3k sqft on a nearly 9-acre lot. And while the wood, brick, metal, and every other material in this home is almost 250 years old, the price tag is still $1.6 million. 

Since this place is so… dated, as we walk through the space, let’s reimagine it for the modern day!

For starters, they probably used to trot up this driveway in a horse and buggy. Today, I think a nice, neon golf cart would do the trick.

Inside, I genuinely can’t imagine what the style inspires was? It’s kinda European, but a bit more vibrant. It’s very in-your-face, but I’m vibing with it. 

One could argue that this aesthetic was “whimsy-maxxing” before the word whimsical was first spoken. 

A formal dining room, in today’s age, is perfect for… storing random items and receipts upon. Imagine eating a wonderful meal in here, while your nephew watches YouTube on his iPad, no headphones. That’s exactly what this space is missing. 

When I picture Abraham Lincoln in my head, I imagine him in a room like this: detailed wallpaper, a pristine sheen over the furniture, and a skosh of lead in the paint -which I bet really ties the place together! 

Since there’s no formal office space in this home, I think placing a combination standing desk and walking pad in one of these rooms would be a stellar choice. 

Log cabin couture is on full display in this secondary dining room -that leads into the kitchen. There’s rustic reds, brick walls, cast iron appliances, and an expensive espresso machine; A marriage between the then and the now. 

Looking to not cosplay colonial Virginia? Well, there’s a living room you’re probably more accustomed to as well. 

Upstairs, the bedrooms leave little to the imagination with what they did in the 1800s: sleep and nothing else?

Of course, there’s a lot of real estate in these rooms. We could fit in a vanity, add a wall to make a walk-in closet, and maybe a really big bean bag chair! 

But to go along with the glamour of that navy and yellow wallpaper, we need something unique. How about a fireplace… next to the shower?

On this second floor, there’s access to the balcony that overlooks the front of the property. Today, for the same purpose, people just have doorbell cameras. 

Oh, there’s another staircase up here? But I thought there was only 2 floors…

These rooms cannot be up to current codes -but this ain’t my house, so who cares?!

I always feel claustrophobic in rooms directly beneath a slanted roof. They're interesting to look at, but I’m scared the walls of this ancient building are going to collapse on me!! 

Outside, it’s a bit more airy and free. The home’s listing goes into detail about this space: “There is a formal boxwood garden and a well established orchard with heirloom fruit trees in the rear.”

At the end of the listing, which is a short paragraph with 87 photos, it says “Much more information available.” Besides the fact that that gives the realtor grace for not typing out all the home’s details, you’d think they would’ve commented on these three tiny homes right outside of the main building?!!

Like, what is inside of there? Ghosts from the 1800s? Doomsday prep? A colony of bugs? 

While overlooking this property, it makes me want to say “they don’t make houses like they used to”… but “they” quite literally rebuilt this home 6 years ago. So, maybe they do? 

What a gorgeous restoration this home was! While it’s a bit outdated, it reminds us of our history, and how this country has been rebuilt better over and over again. So, happy birthday to our old pal, America. And a Happy 4th of July to you all as well 😁

Sarah @Hometastrophes