5 beautiful historic country houses you can buy right now
From the Hudson Valley to Connecticut and Maine, all of these older houses would make for a wonderful getaway from city life.
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As an unabashed old-house fanatic—who also happens to work in real estate—I routinely feed my country house fantasizes by searching up and down the Northeast for the most interesting older homes on the market.
Whether they’re late 18th-century colonials or early 20th-century revivalist concoctions, the houses that catch my eye all have one thing in common: Their original details are celebrated, not scrubbed away. Here are five favorites on the market, right now.
48 Thurber Road, Tannersville, NY 12485 - $1,595,000
Named “Robin Hill,” this 7-bedroom retreat is located within Onteora Park, a former Gilded Age artist community in the Catskills that stretches over 875 picturesque acres. Similar to other late 19th-century planned retreats like Tuxedo Park, the cottages center around a country club and share a similar architectural style.
In the case of Robin Hill, that means massive stone fireplaces, breezy rooms with simplistic woodwork, and oversized windows to take in the sweeping views and mountain air. I feel like this house looks like if a hunting lodge crossed with a Hamptons shingle-style cottage. The 1902-built house is being offered for the first time in three generations, and it’s nice to see how well preserved it is—and that includes the delightfully vintage kitchen and bathrooms.
Outside there’s a pool, and while membership to the Onteora Club (the place to see and be seen in Onteora) is not guaranteed, I’d wager that the next owner of Robin Hill will have favorable placement. Robin Hill is listed by Corcoran broker Richard Vizzini. (845) 389-7879
2705 County Route 9, Chatham, NY 12060 - $3,995,000
Known for its elegant facade decorated in the style of Robert Adam, this beautiful late 18th-century home is ideally located between the Berkshires and the Hudson Valley.
Named for the person who built it, the Anson Pratt House was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in the 1930s, which is a wonderful resource for anyone who loves old houses. In short: The government hired out-of-work architects and during the Great Depression to photograph and draw buildings and houses across America that were deemed to be “architecturally significant.” What resulted are period photographs and highly detailed architectural drawings—including floorplans—that record not only how rooms were used at the time of the drawing but also how they were used originally.
The Anson Pratt House has been renovated significantly since it was photographed for HABS, but thankfully the majority of the interior details of the main original structure are intact. An auxiliary wood-framed extension—a later addition—has been transformed into a modern family room and kitchen. There’s a pool, barn, and lovely gardens, but my favorite detail is the spiral staircase that terminates in a circular skylight. The Anson Pratt House is represented by Anthony D’Argenzio of Houlihan Lawrence. (518) 821-0826
104 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043 - $2,495,000
A local coastal Maine landmark, the famed “Wedding Cake House” was originally built in 1825 for shipbuilder George W. Bourne, who supposedly gave the house its strikingly unique ornamentation (all made out of wood) in the 1850s after he was struck with inspiration upon seeing the Duomo in Milan on a trip to Europe.
Inside, the 7-bedroom house shows evidence of being altered over the centuries. While some parts, like the gracefully curved staircase and Palladian window, are more true to the house’s early 19th-century origins, the brick fireplace in the living room and Victorian spindly mantle in the dining room appear to be later additions. This isn’t a bad thing! Something I love most about an old house is when its architecture tells a story, as long as the story doesn’t involve a makeover fit for Decorating Cents, which I regrettably liked a bit too much as an HGTV-obsessed 8 year old.
The house, which sits on a little over 2 acres with 300 feet of frontage on the Kennebunk River, is represented by Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty. 207-967-0934
83 Scofield Hill Road, Washington, CT 06794 - $1,495,000
Just about 2 hours north of NYC in the idyllic town of Washington, CT—the inspiration behind Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls—is this sensitively renovated early 19th-century farmhouse on just over 11 acres of land.
For being a relatively small house, its original features are visually quite bold: 12-over-12 windows, wide-plank wood floors, and multiple (working) fireplaces with carved mantlepieces. I’m of course partial to the large cooking fireplace in the living room off of the kitchen, which has been renovated with inset cabinetry and soapstone countertops.
But perhaps best of all: it’s perched on a hill with sweeping views, and it appears to be situated on a quieter country road, a rarity for anyone who is all too familiar with how historic homes typically are right against busy, main roads. The listing is represented by Annabel Taylor of Four Seasons Sotheby's. 518.763.5020
153 Woodland Mead, South Hamilton, MA 01982 - $3,985,000
As much as I love 18th and 19th century homes, I have a confession to make: Revivalist architecture of the early 20th century is my favorite. Home layouts become recognizably modern (like bathrooms for each bedroom) while the interiors retain all the details, quality, and charm that make us love old houses.
I realize there are probably more relatable houses to prove my point than this 10,000-square-foot Neo-Georgian pile named “Savin Hill,” but who doesn’t love to look at an impressive mansion? And my god is this impressive, situated on 16 acres north of Boston (in the ironically named town of South Hamilton, MA). I especially love the entry hall with fireplace and landing that seems to lead to the library. The living and dining rooms are arguably the most impressive rooms in the house, with soaring ceilings, delicate moldings, and oversized windows that just look breezy.
The 1919 house, which was built by local architecture firm Bigelow & Wadsworth, has been renovated by someone who knows what they’re doing, and I’m especially impressed by how they handled the kitchen and butler’s pantry. The pantry seems to be more-or-less original (I love that sink with the S-curve) while the kitchen is thoroughly new but vintage inspired. The house is represented by Gretchen Berg of J. Barrett & Company. 617-913-6755
A FEW MORE THINGS
John made this Alison Roman salmon recipe, and it was a total weeknight banger. Can’t wait to have it again soon.
The Pooky Barlett table lamp in brass is back in stock! We have one at home, and it’s the perfect accent light. Gives off a wonderful, soft glow.
Just a little over one week until The Gilded Age returns, and I’ll be sending recaps (with great guest stars!) to all paid subscribers. I’m offering the first month free if you’re curious!
NYC real estate news: The FARE Act went into effect this week, which essentially renders every rental listing as “no fee” as long as the tenant is unrepresented. Tenants will only pay a fee if they elect to hire their own broker.
Not Geneva, NY being mentioned in Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Thanks for sending,
!)
I, too, had to look up Geneva in an atlas when I first heard about it. … and in Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. (Thanks, Erin!)
I think that’s the first time someone has ever assumed Geneva meant New York and not the (other) Geneva.
That butler's pantry!!!!!!!!!! Heart eyes. - J
Thank you so much for introducing me to the Historical American Buildings Survey! I foresee many hours digging through the archive.