Farmington Country Club Real Estate

As the area's oldest golf links, Farmington's best selling point is its age and traditions.

Farmington Plantation dates back to the days of Jefferson and the course was finished in 1928.

It was built so long ago, they didn't move that much dirt. It's very natural, with scenic rolling land and large oak trees. It has 27 holes.

Farmington Plantation

It is perhaps unique for a great country house, in part dating from 1760, to become a social club after one hundred and sixty years of continuous private ownership.

But, it is exclusively unique in our Republic and in the Americas for the membership and guests of a social, golfing and tennis club to enjoy the only clubhouse that, in its predominant personality, was designed by the extraordinary American amateur architect, President Thomas Jefferson.

The main columned Farmington façade and the two-storied octagonal drawing room was constructed in 1802. The pre-Revolutionary and earlier front, now a part of the clubhouse center including the club library, was built by Francis Jerdone I, a Tory.

Jerdone II sold the plantation of 3,000 acres to George Divers, a son-in-law of Dr.Thomas Walker of Castle Hill.

The finely executed portico and octagonal two-story drawing room are pure Jefferson, confirmed by his drawings.

The death of George Divers, the plantation owner, halted the work, finished later by Bernard Peyton.

In 1806 General Peyton sold Farmington to Joseph Miller, a wealthy Englishman and protégée of Scottish inventor James Watt, who perfected the steam engine.

Miller gave the plantation and 250 slaves to his sister, Mary Ann Wood Harper, twice-widowed, who as a little girl had been a frequent guest at Monticello during Jefferson’s residency.

Joseph Miller’s retirement and last days were spent with his sister near Charlottesville. In short time, Mrs. Harper’s beauty and entertaining became legend.

Upon her death in 1877, Farmington passed to her son Warner Wood, a fifty-two year old bachelor.

At sixty-two he married Margaret Lynn Woods of Ivy, aged twenty four.

He died in 1902.

 Farmington remained the home of the Wood family until 1927, when the plantation was conveyed by Mrs. Wood to a newly formed company, Farmington Incorporated.

It was Donald Gordon Stevens, a local real estate broker, who conceived the idea of adapting the plantation to country club use.

Farmington has been host to a who’s who of politicians and movie stars since 1927.

There is no other country club in America quite like Farmington.

As one of the oldest private clubs in Virginia, the combination of Farmington’s storied history, diverse membership, excellent facilities and unique setting make comparisons to other clubs difficult.

The Club’s membership is a mirror of the community – a mix of long-time Virginia families and newer members of the community who have been drawn by its diversity and evolution into one of America’s most sophisticated and desirable places to live.

Throughout Farmington’s history – from its establishment as a 4,000-acre plantation in 1735 through its transformation into a private club and residential community in 1929 – Farmington has been home to prominent, capable and active leaders from the Charlottesville community.

Farmington’s reputation for hospitality dates from the construction of the original home in the 1780’s, when owner George Divers first entertained his friends, including his “neighbor”, Thomas Jefferson.

Subsequent additions of the guest rooms in the “Quarters Wing” and the octagonal room, now known as the Jefferson Room, served to cement Farmington’s reputation as central to the social life of the area.

The Clubhouse

For many people, Farmington’s clubhouse embodies the character of the Club. Set on the top of a rise and facing the Blue Ridge, most rooms in the clubhouse offer superb views of the mountains.

The clubhouse sits in the midst of 275 acres of gardens and carefully manicured grounds and golf course.

The heart of the clubhouse is the Jefferson Room, designed by Thomas Jefferson, and built in 1803.

Summer offers many opportunities to dine on the North Terrace or to enjoy a Club event on the North Lawn.

In the winter, members and guests may be found in front of the clubhouse’s eight working fireplaces, in the library or living room, or perhaps dining in Farmington’s Terrace Room, Main Dining Room or Ballroom.

Farmington’s forty overnight guest rooms allow the Club to make southern hospitality a twenty-four hour proposition.

With the intimacy and charm of a Virginia bed and breakfast and the amenities of a full-service country club, the Club serves as the first choice of members when hosting out-of-town guests.

Farmington Golf

Farmington’s commitment to golf begins with its facilities, which are among the finest in the mid-Atlantic region. Players at all levels of ability find that the Club’s 27 holes, driving range, putting greens, short game practice area and indoor hitting area offer excellent opportunities for practice, social and competitive golf.

The North and South Nines were the site of the 1993 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and are consistently recognized as one of Virginia’s top traditional golf courses.

Designed by Fred Findlay and opened for play in 1929, the par 70, 6,545 yard course is routed to take full advantage of its setting at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The East Nine, which opened for play in 1965, provides a comfortable playing environment for families, beginners and other golfers seeking a lesser challenge than that offered by the North and South Nines.

The course’s par 34, 2,850-yard layout is available every day for play without tee times.

Farmington Tennis

Tennis has a long history at Farmington, beginning almost at the founding of the Club in 1929.

Many of the Club’s tennis traditions, including its strong commitment to instruction and junior programming, have their foundation in the hiring of the Club’s legendary tennis professional, Mike Dolan, in 1941.

Today, Farmington’s tennis program remains among the most active in the Central Virginia region.

Farmington’s tennis amenities are superb, with extensive facilities noted for their excellent playing conditions.

Tennis play centers on the Club’s 15 outdoor tennis courts – 13 Har-tru courts (including two Hydrocourts) are meticulously groomed and are complemented by two cushioned courts for junior and year-round play. Six courts have lights for evening play.

The Club also features three platform tennis courts that are home to a very active program in the winter months and an outdoor hitting area.

 In addition, the Club’s three indoor courts with cushioned surfaces accommodate activity in the winter and on rainy days.

Farmington offers a year-round, total tennis program for all levels of ability for men, women and juniors.

Farmington Fitness

Fitness is one of the newest facilities at Farmington – the Club’s state-of-the-art Fitness Center opened in 1998.

While the Fitness Center is relatively new, it is one of Farmington’s most popular and important services – a recent member survey identified the Fitness Center as the single most important amenity the Club offers!

Farmington’s commitment to fitness begins with its facilities – the Club’s 8,000 square foot Fitness Center includes 3,500 square feet of workout space full of natural light; a 1,200 square foot aerobics room; a massage room and men’s and women’s locker rooms, each including a sauna.

Fitness at Farmington involves more than superior facilities – the Club offers a diverse array of aerobics and other fitness programs as well as the full complement of individual and group training.

Other fitness programs include triathlon training, golf fitness, and several levels of Yoga and Pilates instruction, with others added in response to member interest.

Farmington Swimming Pool

Farmington's first pool opened in 1931 and from that moment on became an ideal place for members of all ages to cool down and relax with friends.

As Farmington has evolved, so have its aquatic facilities and programs.

The state-of-the-art aquatic center is one of the finest in the area.

Opening in 2002, it includes a 12-foot diving well and an eight-lane 25-meter lap pool, which is large enough to accommodate a myriad of activities simultaneously.

One of the features of the new pool is the zero-depth entry area – a beach-like area that allows easy access for very young swimmers as well as older swimmers who may struggle to enter the pool by use of a ladder.

A small wading pool for infants sits close by.

The pool complex includes men’s and women’s locker rooms, along with a poolside family changing area and bathroom.

The pool is heated and fully lit for early morning and evening swimming.

Farmington strives to offer programming for swimmers of all ages and abilities and across a broad spectrum of interests.

The Children’s Place

Farmington’s commitment to serving its members extends to even its youngest ones (while serving the parents of small children as well.)

The Children’s Place provides childcare and activities for children ages three months through six years, six days per week.

Activities in The Children’s Place promote fun, socialization and learning.

They include arts and crafts, story time, tea parties, special movie nights and more.

While parents enjoy tennis, an aerobics class or some quiet time at the pool, children can enjoy their own fun and recreation.

The Children's Place is designed to make a child's visit stimulating and educational.

The Children’s Place offers a wide variety of activities including seasonal arts and crafts, puzzles, pretend play, board games, computer games, and educational toys.

On certain days, The Children’s Place also offers special classes, such as cooking for toddlers, toddler fun fit, story time, and music mania.

 Farmington Dining

Farmington is proud to offer excellent dining in a number of distinctive dining venues.

The Club is dedicated to serving the dining tastes of the full spectrum of its members, offering casual dining in the Farmington Grill, a slightly dressier alternative in the Terrace Room as well as quick service in the Pool Snack Bar and Tenth Tee Halfway House.

For holiday meals and special occasions, the elegance of the Jefferson Room, Main Dining Room and Ballroom set the stage for memorable meals with family and friends.

The Club’s informal dining room – The Farmington Grill – is often referred to as the “hub of the club” and is known for its great menu selections and friendly service that has no rival in Albemarle County.

Some of Albemarle County’s most distinctive upscale dining can be found in Farmington’s Terrace Room. Club members enjoy entertaining family, friends and business clients in the white tablecloth ambiance of the Terrace Room or in the more relaxed environment offered by the Terrace Room Patio.

Social Activities

Year in and year out, Farmington members say that the best thing about being a member of the Club is making new friends and spending time with old friends with similar values and interests.

To facilitate this, Farmington offers its members one of the most extensive and varied social calendars of any private club in Virginia.

The Club’s social calendar includes an incredible number and variety of activities throughout the year for everyone in the family.

For many, family holidays always include a visit to the Club – the members enjoy the elegance of Farmington’s Christmas luncheons and dinners, Thanksgiving supper, and the Easter and Mother’s Day brunches.

Other members prefer the informal barbecues that Farmington hosts for Memorial Day, the 4th of July (complete with fireworks) and Labor Day.

For others yet, youth activities like teen dances, gingerbread house decorating, children’s Halloween and Christmas parties are reasons to come to the Club.

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