The convergence of people, culture, and the outdoors ignites Alex’s passion for involvement in land management and assisting others in realizing their land use dreams. As a third-generation landowner with a background in land management, he’s got the right combination of authenticity and curiosity to help you connect with the right people to find your right place.
A native of the Northeast, Alex spent summers on his grandparents’ ranch out West sparking his interest in the land and the cultivation of a “sense of place.” After eight years in farm and land management, he continues to advise and guide potential buyers and future and current owners with their land-holding operations.
A culinary aficionado, Alex lives with his wife, Bliss, daughter, Nellie, and son, Bo, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He’s insistent that his children also discover the thrill of downhill skiing, and they all enjoy spending time fly fishing, traveling and exploring new places, and discovering the local cuisine, whether in the Blue Ridge Mountains or wide expanses of the West.
Talk land with Alex.
Edgewood Farm is a historic and thoroughly improved farm located just outside of Orange, Virginia. Set against the Blue Ridge Mountains, Edgewood’s rolling topography features a balanced mix of scenic beauty, agricultural utility, and the classic lifestyle of Virginia’s hunt country. The expansive, five-bedroom, main house (circa 1853) anchors the property and is surrounded by a comprehensive set of complementing structures, including a pool and pool house, manager’s house, barns, and a fully retrofitted event space, which is comprised of several historic support structures and barns that can easily accommodate weddings and other events.
The Rapidan River traces the farm’s southern and eastern boundaries for nearly two and a half miles, creating a riparian buffer that further adds to the farm’s bucolic appeal. Additional water features include two stocked ponds. The pastures are actively leased for cattle grazing and hay production, while recreational trails wind throughout the land. Located ten minutes from Orange, forty-five minutes from Charlottesville, and only ninety minutes from Washington, D.C., Edgewood captures the perfect equilibrium of privacy, accessibility, recreation, and agriculture, all while providing the infrastructure and location needed to support a dynamic and engaging lifestyle.
Edgewood is accessed off Tatum’s School Road, a quiet, state-maintained paved road. The driveway into the farm is paved and meanders through the property for a half mile before reaching the main house, which is situated in the center of the property under a towering canopy of oak and poplar trees. The house dates to 1853, although the farm’s rich history extends well beyond that, and the current owner has traced the land’s title all the way back to its original King’s Grant. All utilities (including fiber-optic internet) throughout the farm are buried underground, increasing reliability and further enhancing the scenic appeal of the farm.
Immediately adjacent to the main house are the summer kitchen, cottage, guest house, pool, pool house and barns. Many of these structures are as old as the house and are used today for events and hosting guests. The variety of support structures grounds the property in history while also encapsulating the continuous evolution of Virginia farms. If a future owner decides to continue or expand the event facilities, there will be ample opportunities to do so. Slightly further afield from the main house is the four-bedroom Manager's house and the six-bedroom Gate house, which is located near the farm entrance. Surrounding the improvements are 270± acres of gently rolling, fertile pasture, with sections of mature forest and magnificent field-grown hardwoods interspersed.
The enviable frontage on the Rapidan River extends for over two miles and adds recreational and scenic components to the farm. Additional water features on the farm include two ponds measuring 2.7± acres and 1.6± acres. Both ponds are stocked for fishing and feature docks for swimming and water-based recreation. Several blocks of mature hardwoods are found on the property, with the largest found near the farm entrance and along the river frontage.
Edgewood Farm represents the classic Virginia Farm that people envision when they think of Piedmont Hunt Country. It has the full package—gorgeous pastoral and Blue Ridge scenery, river frontage, active agriculture, history, and extensive improvements that can accommodate any number of uses. It encapsulates the enduring appeal of this area, which is only furthered by its easy accessibility and mild four-season climate.
A standout feature of Edgewood is how its rural location is balanced by convenience and accessibility. The nearest town, Orange (population 4,975), is an appealing rural and historic town just ten minutes away. Forty-five minutes south of the farm lies Charlottesville (population 46,550), a small, dynamic city home to the renowned University of Virginia. Richmond and Washington, D.C., can both be reached in roughly 90 minutes.
Options for air travel are equally varied and convenient. Charlottesville-Albemarle is the nearest commercial airport and features multiple daily nonstop flights to hubs throughout the eastern United States. Richmond International Airport and Dulles International Airport can be reached in under 90 minutes and together offer nonstop access to 103 domestic and 52 international destinations. Private air access is also close at hand. Culpepper Regional Airport is 30 minutes away with a full-service FBO and a 5,000-foot runway.
Approximate distances to nearby towns, cities, and airports are:
Towns/Cities
Airports
Edgewood Farm is situated in the Piedmont region of central Virginia, a landscape known for its rich history, pastoral character, and panoramic vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area surrounding Edgewood is primarily composed of large working and recreational farms and estates, many of which trace their roots back hundreds of years, contributing to a region that feels historic and deeply rooted in the land. Orange County, one of Virginia’s oldest settled regions, has a lineage extending back over three centuries, and four of the first five United States presidents lived within 85 miles of the farm, including James Madison, whose home, Montpelier, is just ten miles from Edgewood.
The cultural fabric of the area is enriched by its proximity to Charlottesville, a lively university town known for its vibrant music, culinary, and arts scene. The landscape between Edgewood and Charlottesville is interspersed with vineyards, sporting properties, estates, and farms, reflecting a rural lifestyle that is both accessible and sophisticated. The Blue Ridge Mountain viewshed is protected by Shenandoah National Park, and further afield, Washington, D.C., provides an urban counterpoint with world-class cultural institutions and global connectivity.
Central Virginia enjoys a temperate four-season climate. Summers are warm and humid, with average highs reaching the upper eighties to low nineties during July and August. Winters are generally mild, with average daytime temperatures in the forties, although colder spells in January and February are common. Spring and Autumn are particularly pleasant, with daytime highs in the seventies and nighttime lows in the fifties. The region receives approximately forty-three inches of rainfall annually and sees an average snowfall of nineteen inches per year, providing ample moisture for pasture growth and crop production.
Edgewood Farm encompasses a total of 453± acres. Of that acreage, 270± acres are fenced pasture, and 135± acres are mixed hardwood forest, interspersed with occasional pine. The acreage offers a balanced composition of open grazing land and wooded terrain, suitable for livestock production, wildlife, and recreation.
An approximate breakdown of the acreage by land use is:
There is no conservation easement currently in place on Edgewood Farm. However, given its size, location, and historical significance, the property would be a strong candidate for one.
Main House: The improvements at Edgewood Farm reflect both historic preservation and thoughtful modernization. The primary residence is a stately five-bedroom home dating to 1853. Originally designed as a Federalist-style, center hall, four-over-four home, it has been expanded over the years to accommodate a more modern and spacious floor plan. The front door opens to a traditional entry hall, and from there the floor plan unfolds over a mix of the old and the new, featuring an inviting eat-in kitchen, dining rooms, front parlor, formal living room, and home office. Upstairs are four large bedrooms over the center of the house, and a very private and spacious master suite over the northeastern wing. A recently upgraded whole-home Kohler generator services the entire house.
Guest Houses and Manager’s House: Edgewood is extensively improved and features a full complement of guest quarters, support structures and barns, and event facilities (further detailed below). Guest quarters at the farm include the charming cottage, a historic 1,800± square foot, two-bedroom house, as well as the Gate house, a beautiful six-bedroom, 5,000± square foot house near the entrance. This more modern house perfectly complements the main home and rounds out the potential for a family compound. Lastly, there is the Manager’s house, which is private but conveniently located in the center of the property. It measures 2,000± square feet and has four bedrooms.
Event Space: The owners began developing infrastructure to host events several years ago. Today, that includes a summer kitchen that’s been converted into a full bridal suite, a guest cottage that serves as groom quarters, a covered pavilion, and a 200-year-old “party barn” which can be heated and cooled depending on the weather. These structures are well-designed and have been lightly used. Moving forward, they are a terrific asset for a new owner, whether they are for private use, an event business, or corporate retreats.
All water rights will convey with the sale of the property.
All mineral rights will convey with the sale of the property.
The annual property taxes are approximately $20,529.
Edgewood’s topography and natural water resources provide excellent recreational potential. A trail system winds through the property and along the Rapidan River and could easily be expanded for any number of pursuits, including mountain biking, horseback riding, or simply enjoying nature and the Virginia countryside.
Central Virginia is well known as horse country, and Edgewood would make an excellent equestrian property. The area has a long history of fostering all disciplines and skill levels, and there are any number of locations to build stables and riding facilities. Fox hunting is still a vibrant tradition here, and the Keswick Hunt regularly rides through Edgewood.
Hunting has not been a major focus on the farm, but a hunting program could be easily developed if a new owner desired. Wildlife is plentiful and the farm is home to whitetail deer, Eastern Wild Turkey, black bear, redtail fox, and coyotes. Doves are plentiful in this area and the water resources, which could be expanded or enhanced, attract seasonal waterfowl. The two stocked ponds on the property support a healthy population of warm-water species, primarily bass. The size and setting of the ponds make them suitable for casual angling and family recreation, particularly in the warmer summer months. Both ponds are approximately 10-12 feet in depth.
As mentioned, agricultural operations center on the 270± acres of fenced pasture. Currently, the pastures are leased to a local farmer who cuts hay and grazes 150± cow/calf pairs. The pasture fences are comprised of a four-board oak fence around the main house compound and along the driveway, and a four-strand high-tensile fence throughout the interior pastures. Four wells service the farm, and 18 automatic watering systems are efficiently spread throughout the pastures.
Farm operations run out of two main barns. Near the entrance is a six-bay equipment barn that houses farm machinery. A large gravel yard in front of the barn serves as a working area for staging materials and equipment. A smaller utility barn closer to the house provides storage for mowers and maintenance equipment. This barn also features an enclosed workshop and break room.
Excellent 2,712± acre opportunity on the York River. Diverse topography, extensive water frontage, productive hunting. Fifteen minutes to Williamsburg. Approximately two hours or less to Washington, D.C., Richmond, and Virginia Beach. Excellent long-term, sustainable investment opportunity.
Best-in-class, 350± acre mountaintop retreat bordering 200,000± acres of national forest in southwest Virginia. Total seclusion and unparalleled recreation with three well-improved cabins, off-the-grid capabilities, pond, airstrip, helipad, and hangar.
583± acres south of Charlottesville with expansive views and multiple scenic homesites. Mostly wooded with diverse topography, excellent potential for a full- or part-time retreat. Ideal for privacy and outdoor enjoyment.
Legacy 1,100± acre estate in the heart of the Middleburg/Upperville hunt country. Improvements include a 12,500± square foot historic home, multiple stables, barns, and polo fields. One hour west of Washington D.C.
843± acres of prime hunting and recreational land, 15 minutes south of Fredericksburg. Features a five-acre pond, managed timber, and house circa 1720. Only one hour to Washington, D.C. and Richmond.
