Historic Selma House and open space preserved
WINCHESTER, Va., Dec. 21, 2022 – The Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) is pleased to announce a conservation easement on Winchester’s Selma House, their first in the City of Winchester. This 4.9-acre historic property is along the Green Circle Trail and provides valuable scenic open space and old growth tree canopy.
Union troops destroyed the original house named Selma which stood at the same site and used its stones to construct Fort Milroy during the Civil War. After the war, a new Selma was built in grand style by Judge Edmond Pendleton in 1872. T.K. Cartmell writes that Judge Pendleton held his first term as Judge of the District Courts from 1869-1870. He continued to reside in Winchester following his term but retired from his profession. Instead, he “erected a splendid mansion. There he and his small family . . . maintained a royal establishment.”
The interior is richly detailed with architectural features and fine carvings, and the western side of the first floor is largely a ballroom. The dining room table can seat 35 family members and friends.
“Selma House is a critical demonstration of historic Winchester’s architectural style,” said LTV Executive Director Sally Price. “We are thrilled to protect this property and ensure its protection in perpetuity. We hope this is just the beginning of our work in Frederick County.”
The Selma House easement is the 231st easement completed by the Land Trust of Virginia. For more information about their work, please visit http://www.landtrustva.org.
###
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 231 families, conserving a total of 28,774 acres in 30 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.