Historic Property Now for Sale in Hanover

February 22, 2019
Front of home
Ditchley Estate in Hanover, Virginia

Gorgeous Estate Home Located 25 Miles from Richmond

Built in 1843, this magnificent estate, known as “Ditchley,” is situated on more than 12 acres and is only a 25-minute drive from Richmond. Located at 2340 Old Church Road, the home includes four bedrooms, four full and one half bathrooms, eight fireplaces, and over 8,500 square feet of living space. It is co-listed by Sean Craft in the Strawberry Street office of Long & Foster | Christie’s International Real Estate for $1.3 million.

The property was owned by Dr. Henry Spencer and his wife, Lena Mae Hale Spencer. Dr. Spencer was a Richmond radiologist, an avid orchid grower and founder of the Virginia Orchid Society. Lena Mae Hale Spencer joined the Navy in World War II and her later career was spent at Richmond Professional Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University, where she taught home economics and fashion design.

“This is a rare opportunity to own a grand estate and a slice of history at the same time,” said Craft. “The property has been owned by the same family for over 50 years, and they’ve taken meticulous care of it.”

As you travel down the long driveway, you’ll notice the estate’s beautiful, park-like setting with mature trees, boxwoods, a barn and a greenhouse. The brick façade features a covered porch with two-story pillars, characteristic of the Southern Colonial style of the United States. Entering through the double front doors, you’ll be able to greet your guests in style in the breathtaking 45-foot-long center hallway that extends to the back of the home.

The first-floor formal rooms are all graced with beautifully crafted moldings, architectural details, six-foot wide windows, large paneled doors and solid brass chandeliers from Belgium. They include a library, office, living room and several sitting rooms. Dinner parties, as well as small family events, will be remembered in the large dining room. The home has been known to comfortably accommodate 200 guests for cocktails or dinner.

It will be easy to cook for a crowd or have your catering team prepare a meal in the spacious kitchen with integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator, double ovens, center island with counter seating, built-in office area and adjacent breakfast room.

Upstairs, there are four perfectly proportioned bedrooms including two master suites, each with a fireplace and 11-foot ceilings. A glass-enclosed atrium leads to a separate building behind the main home, which contains a three-car garage with a large room above it. This room, known as the studio, is flooded with natural light from its large windows and is perfect as an artist studio or children’s playroom.

Additional tracts of adjoining acreage are available for purchase.

Learn more about 2340 Old Church Road by clicking here or contact Sean Craft at 804-340-0840. For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.

To view and download high-resolution images of this property, click here.