11 building lots reduced to 1, historic structures preserved
MIDDLEBURG, Va., Nov. 1, 2022 – The Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) is pleased to announce a conservation easement in Gordonsville thanks to the generosity of landowner Brenda Alexander. This 153-acre property is contiguous with three other easements, creating a network of protection in this rural part of Albemarle County.
“I chose to secure a conservation easement on Logon Farm because it is a unique property worthy of conservation easement protections. The manor house is of significant historical significance to the Reconstruction Era of Virginia,” said Alexander. “James Gavin Field built the Italianate home in 1870 and transformed the property into post-Civil War crown gem farm. Field was a noted figure. He served during the Civil War, was Virginia’s Attorney General, and was instrumental in forming the Populist Party in the southern states. Field was nominated for Vice President of the United States on the Weaver-Field ticket in the election of 1892. He died at home in 1901. It has been a pure pleasure working with all at LTV and I appreciate your assistance in this project.”
Alexander’s property includes significant road frontage and is part of both, “Journey Through Hallowed Ground”, and a County-designated “Entrance Corridor”, given special significance in the Comprehensive Plan to protect the rural characteristics of the region. The property is also located within the Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District, listed on both the Virginia Landmark Register and National Register of Historic Places, and the easement protects five contributing historic buildings, including a barn, smokehouse and three residences. This 31,000-acre district includes some of the Piedmont’s most pristine and scenic countryside. Characterized by undulating pastures, winding roadways, forested hills, and small hamlets, the district contains a broad range of 18th-, 19th-, and early 20th-century rural architecture, reflecting the evolving cultural patterns of 260 years of settlement.
Additional natural resources protected include 0.42 miles of Happy Creek, 10.5 acres of floodplain, 95 acres of “Prime Farmland Soils” or “Farmland Soils of Statewide Importance”, and 26 acres of forest.
“Alexander’s property is a wonderful mix of all the values we strive to protect with our easement program,” said LTV Executive Director, Sally Price. “We are thrilled to ensure that these historic structures, scenic views, and water resources will remain protected for future generations.”
Alexander’s easement is the 222nd easement completed by the Land Trust of Virginia. For more information about their work, please visit http://www.landtrustva.org.
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About the Land Trust of Virginia
The Land Trust of Virginia is a nonprofit organization that partners with private landowners who voluntarily protect and preserve properties with significant historic, scenic, or ecological value. LTV has worked with 222 families, conserving a total of 26,680 acres in 25 counties in Virginia. While LTV charges landowners for their services, the fees charged only cover about 28% of LTV’s actual costs so fundraising is essential to our mission.
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