If you are the sort of person who takes the back road instead of the highway and who believes a day in the country is worth a month in the city, then you will love Whispering Pines. The home at Whispering Pines is a one-of-a-kind, picturesque country home that embraces nature, honors its impressive history and is brimming with personality. The fully-renovated historic property, which began its life as a three-story log cabin, is exactly the kind of place you may never want to leave.
Whispering Pines sits atop a knoll above a year round spring near an outpost which is now Sperryville. The earliest ownership is unknown, but it is widely believed that Silas Lillard Bryan was born in the cabin in 1822. Silas moved to Illinois, became a State Senator and a Circuit Court Judge. He had eight children, one of whom was Williams Jennings Bryan, the three-time Presidential candidate and renowned orator.
In the late 1840s the old log cabin was improved by a Victorian influenced two story addition. During the renovation, the log walls were plastered over and hidden for more than a hundred years.
Between 2002 and 2003, the current owners undertook another major renovation, adding a comfortable sitting room, bathrooms, a luxurious master suite and faithfully restoring the original home top to bottom. During this renovation the old log walls were rediscovered and exposed contributing to the authentic historic ambiance of the home.
Now Whispering Pines is a wonderfully charming three bedroom, three and a half bath home with comfortable living spaces, clever handmade details, exposed chestnut logs and a true sense of history.
The lower level has an open and welcoming family room with the original cooking fireplace, brick floor, stone walls and rustic chestnut beams. Reminiscent of an old tavern room, it is ideal for a wine cellar and tasting room or just a warm hideout on cold winter days.
The main level includes an entry/dining room large enough for big family gatherings, the modern sitting room with a private bath, an open kitchen and family room and the original back porch that is now a sunroom with a view. There are two covered porches and a stone terrace on this level so it is easy to enjoy the outdoors and you can always find sun or shade all day long.
The upper level includes a modern master suite, a guest room and the original sleeping loft that has been converted into a spacious guest area. In addition to the master bath there is a second bathroom on this level.
The land is a lovely combination of forest and rolling meadows with an interesting topography that make the property feel much larger than its 13.4 acres. The grounds are designed for enjoying the benefits of country living. There are splendid gardens of flowering shrubs, perennial flowers and native plantings. At the edge of the lawn, there are several mature maple trees shading garden benches and swings tied high in the spreading branches. Accompanied by a charming pergola for sitting in the shade, just below the house is a spectacular vegetable/flower garden of raised beds planted with perennial flowers, herbs, berries and brambles. Two lush meadows are mowed and bailed by a neighboring farmer.
Below the lawn and meadows, a hardwood forest is laced with walking trails with several bridges over the creek. At the edge of the forest are plantings of azaleas, irises and lilies of the valley that come alive in the spring. There is also a perfect spot for a gazebo with epic views of the surrounding mountains and the Skyline Drive.
The property is located on Thornton Gap Church Road, a quiet country road about a half a mile from Sperryville’s Main Street. Sperryville was recently named the best small town in Virginia and Outdoor Magazine recognized Old Rag Mountain, just south of Sperryville, as one of the 25 best hikes in the world. Sperryville may be the hiking capital of Virginia with numerous Shenandoah National Park trails within a five-mile radius of the property. When you are finished hiking there are numerous shops; several good restaurants, including the renowned Three Blacksmiths; Stonewall Abbey Wellness, a full service gym and yoga studio; the Hair Gallery for haircuts and massage; our local coffee cafe, Before & After; two breweries and a distillery all in Sperryville.
Whispering Pines is only about 20 miles from Culpeper where the historic Main Street thrives with restaurants, bakeries, and interesting shops. Culpeper also has most of the standard big box stores as well as multiple grocery stores. Warrenton and Front Royal are only a few miles further. Located 90 minutes from Washington, DC, and about an hour from Charlottesville, it is an easy drive for a weekend get-away, yet it feels a world away.
Whispering Pines is a truly special property full of history, showcased by its placement in the 2016 Rappahannock County House Tour. It is not everyday that you’ll find a fully renovated home that has undergone substantial construction in three different centuries. The location of Whispering Pines is ideal, it is close to Sperryville yet private and secluded.
