Adventuring: Selma Plantation – Leesburg, VA

Wandering Around...

Wandering Around…

Last night I discovered a blog about abandoned Virginia locations, and a nearby location called Selma Plantation.

Selma is currently on Preservation Virginia’s “Most Endangered Historic Sites” list, and has been there since 2009. The former plantation, dating back to the 1800’s and the Mason family, has fallen into disrepair since the current owner, a developer building new houses nearby, filed for bankruptcy in 2008.

Intrigued by the pictures on the Abandoned in Virginia site, I went looking for more photos. I came across LocationsHub, which showed Selma when it was maintained and used as a venue; and Brad Johnson-Buchanan’s Tumbler page, showcasing some fantastic interior photography of the property after it had begun to deteriorate.

After a bit of web sleuthing, I was able to pinpoint the location of Selma off of Rt. 15 in Leesburg. It would be just a short drive to find it. Loaded up with our cameras, we headed out this afternoon.

Selma - Jun 2015 - Driving Up

Selma – Jun 2015
Driving Up

Selma - Jun 2015 - A Bit Closer

Selma – Jun 2015
A Bit Closer

When we arrived, there were two large pickup trucks in front of the house. Because of this, we did not wander too close to the property, and stuck to the lower apron of the gravel driveway. The driveway appears to usually have a chain stretched across the driveway – this was not the case when we arrived.

Selma - Jun 2015 - Closer Still (Telephoto)

Selma – Jun 2015
Closer Still (Telephoto)

The trees and grass are very much overgrown, and after the rains we’d had in the past 24 hours, we were more comfortable keeping to the driveway than venturing into the weedy overgrowth. And well, we didn’t know who the people were in front of the house. It’s clear the house has deteriorated further than the photos I had seen previously. The top-most windows along the roof line are either misaligned or missing altogether. The gutters are sagging. The left corner of the house is completely overtaken by ivy. A lot more of the windows are now broken or boarded up. The exterior columns and stucco paint are peeling. The lights at the front door appear to be missing now.

Selma - Jun 2015 - The Missing Swing

Selma – Jun 2015
The Missing Swing

On The Full Bouquet blog, there’s mention of a swing where brides used to have their picture taken. I didn’t realize it until I got home and started going through the photos, but I appear to have found the tree with the swing, without having known it. Unfortunately, it looks like the swing is gone now; and just the ropes remain.

Selma - Jun 2015 - The Barn

Selma – Jun 2015
The Barn

Selma - Jun 2015 - The Barn Roofline

Selma – Jun 2015
The Barn Roofline

This barn sits near the Selma Plantation house and as you can see is almost completely overtaken by vegetation. The roof looked intact from what we could see, but the cupolas are damaged and one appears to be missing its lightening rod. It was impossible to see the lower part of the barn to know if the structure is sound. There is another wooden building behind the barn, which is visible from between the single family homes neighboring it. Yes, you read that correctly. Recently constructed single family homes are what back to the Selma property. It makes me twitchy that this beautiful historic three-million dollar property is falling to ruin behind new construction. I don’t know what originally had been planned for Selma by the developer; I wish there was an easy fix to help get funds to save this historic location.

51 thoughts on “Adventuring: Selma Plantation – Leesburg, VA”

  1. A.L.Watters

    That black pick up belongs to my daughter. She had read about it on the same website and went that day to take pictures of it. When she arrived, the realtor in charge of it was there to make sure everything was okay. My daughter introduced herself to the realtor, and was given a tour of the house and permission to take all the pictures she wanted. My daughter is a photographer, specializing in abandoned places and action sports photos. Her pictures of the place were beautiful and the realtor took her information and told her that whenever she was at the house, she would invite her to come take more photos.

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Hi A.L., thanks for stopping by my blog.

      Wow – wish I had known who was there that afternoon; I would have loved the opportunity to see the inside of the mansion for myself. It’s been difficult finding current contact info for Selma. Your daughter was very lucky that afternoon. If she’s ever headed back up there and wouldn’t mind someone tagging along, please have her comment here on this post and we can discuss offline.

      All the best,
      -Heather

      1. R.V.

        Hi Heather,
        I love your blog 🙂 I actually recently tried to photograph inside of Selma Mansion but found the place closely watched by neighbors. There was a flashing No Trespassing sign out front. Would it be possible for you to contact A.L. Watters to ask for the contact information for the realtor? Feel free to email me if you can ask.
        Thanks so much!
        R.V.

        1. GirlNovember Post author

          Thanks for the kind words about the blog, R.V. I’m not surprised that the neighborhood around Selma Mansion is aware and watching for trespassers. Some of those houses back right up to the barn and property line. I’d be so tempted if I lived there.

          I’ve tried to find the current realty company representing Selma and haven’t had much success. If A.L. or anyone else has contact details, even if it’s just the realty company name (if uneasy about sharing actual phone/email), please feel free to post details here. Thanks!

          1. SO.Goth Prop

            Skiptrace. That is your answer to who owns Selma and who to contact regarding sale and their phone and address – do a skip trace if all else has failed. Of course if someone would just post the street address of Selma and tell me the county it’s in, the tax commissioner’s qpublic page will reveal the current owner and their mailing address. BOOM! You’re welcome.

    2. amayah wilkerson

      Hi does anyone know the name of the realtor so i could contact him. I would love to take a tour of the house this month for my daughter she has been begging for a tour for her christmas present. Please if anyone knows anything i would reply information back.

    3. Robyn M

      Hello,

      Do you happen to have the name of the realtor? I have been looking to gain permission to photograph the inside as well so any help is GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks!

  3. GirlNovember Post author

    The property is located in the town of Leesburg, in Loudoun County, VA. There are two driveways to the property: one off of Frostleaf Ln (chain across the driveway), and another off of Garriland Dr (not sure if this is a real driveway, or just another way to reach the main drive).

    Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/S1gzZxkHTQ62

    Unfortunately, I don’t have the actual property address or contact info.

      1. Robin

        It’s easy to get an address or better yet, map coordinates, by just clicking on the house in Google. It will give you an address, coordinates, what’s here, what’s near here, etc….Bing Maps, well, used to give a PARCEL OUTLINE, and if you right clicked on it, would take you right to the page for Taxes/Ownership/Description….not sure if it is still like that, but there are plenty of websites addressing this beautiful place, and YES, I am one of many that cried when I saw the run down state of this property! I pray someone can come up with the money to restore it! I’m sure there are lots of programs that can be accessed to fund a restoration. Just need someone that wants to take it on!

        1. GirlNovember Post author

          Thanks Robin! Great advice and I’m sure I and a few others will check out Bing Maps to see if the Parcel Outline option still works. Agreed on wanting someone to step in and help save the property. I worry it’s reaching that beyond-repair stage.

          The best to you for the holidays.
          -Heather

  4. Robyn M

    Hello Heather! Have you had any luck in finding the realtor or any other contact information? I have been searching as well. Please email me if you have had any luck! Thanks!!

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Hi Robyn. Unfortunately, no further info on realtor. I’ll update the comments section if I receive any info. Thanks!

      1. Elizabeth

        Why don’t you just go to the county assessor and see who has been paying the property taxes all this time? It’s public information.

  5. Kelley

    For anyone who’s interested in seeing what Selma looks like inside, it seems that this individual broke into Selma just a week before you visited the sight. He took this beautiful video of the place. I’m not a proponent of trespassing, but this is fantastic footage. I truly someone restores it… look at the finds in there! It’s majestic.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXeTR2uFj10

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Thanks for passing this along, Kelley! What a great video – one can only imagine how gorgeous it was when it was being maintained. I am heartbroken to see how much of the structure is beginning to fail – floors rotting through; holes in roof/ceiling letting the elements in. This property was so majestic – to see it in this state, to know someone owns it and is letting it fall down, is unthinkable.

  6. Terry Nicoll

    What a shame if this beautiful piece of Virginia antebellum arcitecture would dissapear. The evils of urban development.

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Caleb, I don’t know that it’s for sale. Only that it’s on an endangered historic property list. Thanks!
      -Heather

  8. Kathy Holtby

    Have you found the owner and realtor? If not, I think I can help. Please contact me if you need assistance. There may also be some preservation trusts that might buy and restore,

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Hi Kathy – to my knowledge, no one has identified the current owner or realtor (if there is one) for the property. I think most folks that are asking owner/representative info are doing so in order to visit the property and photograph it, with permission. Thank you.
      -Heather

  9. pat crafton

    I am a photographer in central VA and i would love to photograph this house inside and out. Any comtact info is appriciated.

  10. Lynn hickman

    I plan a trip to va. I’m from Alexandria. I would love to go through. I did 3 ghost hunts at mansfield reformatory. Awesome

  11. Ernest Hefferon

    I am interested in saving this home. I specialize in historic restoration. Please let me know contact information.

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Hi Ernest, unfortunately I do not have contact info for the current owner. Thanks for stopping by.

  14. Candice Nicole

    Selma Estates is actually a group of houses right next to the plantation in Montesour Rd. There’s no connection that I know of.

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Hi Candice – You’re right about Selma Estates being the nearby subdivision. I think the new subdivision took the name from Selma Plantation, as it was the original property. Thanks for stopping by!

  15. Lynnie

    According to another blog I just found, it’s owned by Historic Selma Estates and is not currently for sale.

  18. Melissa

    The property is not listed for sale at this time. So, there is no realtor. I did all the research necessary to find out who owns the property, etc. Yes, it’s in Loudoun. No, it’s not an address on Selma Lane. If you want the owner’s information, let me know.

    1. Kate

      Melissa . . I would love the owners contact information if you have it?? I would love to photograph it and give them access to the images if they’d like! Any information would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks, Kate

    2. Sarah

      Melissa,

      Please share contact information if you can. I am interested in getting legal access to the home for photography as well. Thank you!

  19. Martin Flint

    If you ever get a hold of the owners see if it is for sale I don’t want it to get too far into disrepair I don’t want to see that happen. Thanks.

  20. Danica S

    I don’t believe it is for sale… at least, not any longer. There is no listing and no market value listed for this lot that I can find. I don’t know if the Preservationists have had anything to do with that or not. I’m one of those individuals that would love to see it restored. Still searching.

  21. Melissa Atherholt

    Hi all, I am a realtor in Leesburg and will see if I can find anything else out about this property, I would guess it is in some state of financial distress perhaps tangled up in foreclosure that has been complicated by its national historic status. Let me see what I find out

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Thanks for any information you can provide, Melissa. As you can see from the comments, there are more than a few folks interested. 🙂 Thanks again for offering to research this, and have a great week.
      -Heather

  22. Melissa

    Address 16045 FROSTLEAF LN LEESBURG VA 20176
    Parcel ID Number 226482229000
    Legal Description HISTORIC SELMA ESTATES
    Owners: Jon and Joanne Deane
    3400 FRANKLIN MANOR CT FAIRFAX VA 22033

  23. Sharon V

    To all who wish to visit or photograph or otherwise trespass on the Selma property. We are private citizens and are under contract to purchase Selma from the previous owner. We installed security alarms on the windows and doors of the house yesterday and we have hired a private security detail to stop the vandalism that is contributing to its destruction. Renovations are beginning and will continue over the course of this year and into next. Anyone who trespasses or vandalizes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

    All we ask is that the public let us restore this home to its original beauty without interference. I understand your intentions may be well meaning, but unfortunately many who have entered it, continue to destroy it. Please, we ask that you stay out of our “new” house while we work to repair her from the decades of neglect she has suffered.

    Thank you,
    Scott and Sharon

    1. GirlNovember Post author

      Sharon and Scott, I’m so happy to hear that someone is willing and able to acquire and restore this property. I wish you the best of luck with the renovations, and thank you for reaching out.
      -Heather

    2. DONALD SUTPHIN

      SHARON CONNGRADULATIONS ON A FINE HISTORY PURCHASE. I HAVENT SEEN YOU IN YEARS AND WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU IF POSSIBLE. HAVENT SPOKE TO WINNIE IN YEARS MUCH LESS SPEAKING TO YOU. THANK GOD YOU SAVED THIS MANSION AND I HAVE WORKED ON THE ROOF MANY TIMES AND DIDNT KNOW EPPS HAD SOLD THE PLACE AND A DEVELOPER HAD WENT BANKRUPT. IF YOU WOULD YOU CAN EMAIL ME AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET A CHANCE TO SEE YOU AFTER SO MANY YEARS . WAY TO GO AND I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO GIVE ME AND MY WIFE A TOUR EVEN THOUGH I WORKED ON IT MANY TIMES , NEVER VENTURED INSIDE ..HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON . PLEASE TELL WINNIE HELLO AND TERRY WAS THE ONE WHO LET ME KNOW YOU BOUGHT IT …………….

  24. GirlNovember Post author

    Over on the *About Girlnovember* page, I received the following post, and I am pasting it here so that everyone will see it.
    -Heather

    “Hello everyone asking about Selma !!!!!
    I’m the daughter of the previous owner of Selma ( grew up from 12yrs old and married there ) , and second owner only to the original owners and family E.B.White , and family all resting in peace in the local Leesburg cemetery and duly impressive. My family bought the mansion in 1971, and we relocated from Potomac Md in 1972. We lived in and enjoyed beyond words what encompassed the experience of all that would come from the home, property and its many outhouses. Lovely large barns, smoke house , natural spring and spring house, beautiful trees …. The Selma Plantation . The one thing which was lost from the property was the grey stone original front entrance post at the end of the 2 mile gravel driveway that meet at rt 50 ( now or was Selma lane ) enterence now moved again to accommodate the development. By the time we bought the house someone had built the white stucco post dawning a black iron S to mark its new enterence about 100 feet before the original stone enterence still there today . There are no words to describe what the emotional toll had been on my family to witness what has become of something so completely special and to so many people . It was critically important to my parents and a component of any sale of the property that it be for the absolute preservation and appreciation of the stately home and majestic views from any front interior window , and the front porch ! The first sale was wonderful and renovation on the two side porches began way before the sale or settlement and a testament to the fond relationship and trust in the future transaction. However , as life does that changed and the new owner would never get to enjoy Selma. There was no indication of any intent to not respect the property fully while clearly a different buyer and different intentions. It truly is hard to believe and harder still to lay eyes upon.
    However, the angels above have sent word that there is good new on the horizon . Check back on Selma in about 30 days or so . As always feel to say a little prayer .”

  25. SC

    Selma has been purchased and is being renovated! Check “Selma mansion rebirth” on Facebook for updates!!

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