Historic Virginia Landmark estate to sell at auction; previous owners include Revolutionary War colonel, law school founder and Confederate general

LEXINGTON, Va., Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- If walls could talk, as the saying goes, the rooms at Historic Thorn Hill would have plenty of stories to tell. Perhaps we could hear Judge John Brockenbrough telling dinner companions about his plans to found the Lexington School of Law (now Washington and Lee University School of Law.) Or Revolutionary War Colonel John Bowyer recounting battles. Or Gen. E.F. "Bull" Paxton getting his orders to command a brigade at Chancellorsville, where he fell in battle.

All three were owners of Thorn Hill, which is set to be sold at auction at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, with Woltz & Associates marketing the home and conducting the auction. The estate is a designated Virginia Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is within five minutes of downtown Lexington.

"Thorn Hill provides a rare combination of historical significance and modern comfort," said Jim Woltz, president of the auction company. "In recent years, the owners spent more than $1 million, masterfully restoring and renovating the 5,542+/- sq. ft. home in exquisite detail while preserving the original windows, flooring, molding, mantels and paneling. Today, it has a sophisticated kitchen and premium systems throughout, including in-floor radiant heat, computer-controlled lighting and multi-zone cooling provided by four heat pumps."

In addition to the main house, the estate includes a horse barn and kennel, hay barn/granary, servants' cottage, and early kitchen that has been converted into a studio that still has the original cooking fireplace with extended hearth.

Originally built in 1792, the estate sits on approximately 17 acres on a ridge overlooking the Allegany and Blue Ridge Mountains, with views of Hogback Mountain and House Mountain. It will sell to the highest bidder, with an incredibly low minimum bid of $899,000.

Individuals interested in additional information may visit www.woltz.com or call 800-551-3588.

Woltz & Associates, based in Roanoke, Va., is a leading auctioneer of historical properties.

For more information:
Carl Carter, 205-823-3273

SOURCE Woltz & Associates