Thomas Jefferson’s Childhood Home in Virginia Lists for $17 Million
The historic property has been kept in the family for a century
For the first time in 100 years, Thomas Jefferson’s childhood home—known as Tuckahoe—is for sale, with an asking price of $17 million. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the 6,480-square-foot home boasts five bedrooms, three full baths, and three partial baths. The River Road property sits on a total of 557 acres, and it served as Jefferson’s home from 1745 to 1752.
“We are pleased to represent historic Tuckahoe, truly a jewel of early American classical architecture,” listing agent Murdoch Matheson of Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty tells Galerie.
“Its unique history with the Randolphs of Virginia and the lifelong relationship the property had with Thomas Jefferson makes the property a treasure of the Commonwealth. The decision to sell the property after 100 years of family ownership does not come easily and the opportunity to buy something of this provenance is unique.”
One highlight of the property is an original one-room schoolhouse, constructed by Thomas Jefferson’s father, Peter, who managed the estate. Here, both the Jefferson children and the Randolph children received their formal education in a space complete with a domed ceiling. The Randolphs were a prominent family dynasty in Virginia, related to Thomas Jefferson through his mother and his marriage.
Tuckahoe, which is a National Historic Landmark, was constructed by William Randolph. The main house—an H-frame structure—was built in two stages; the north end was built in 1733, while the south wing was made sometime around 1740. Today, Tuckahoe is the only surviving Randolph home situated on its original land.
Original design elements of the historic dwelling, which sits along the James River, consist of intricate entrances, period windows, and detailed woodwork, including a fully paneled black walnut salon.
Additionally, the formal grounds include historic outbuildings—such as the old kitchen, the storehouse, the barn, the overseer’s office, the smokehouse, and the original quarters—and a mostly unchanged landscape. As such, Tuckahoe is one of the most complete early 18th-century plantation properties in North America.
The property’s preservation is made possible by Virginia’s Board of Historic Resources and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.