The 557-acre estate known as Tuckahoe was built in the mid-18th century by the colonial planter and politician William Randolph III. After Randolph's death in 1745, Thomas Jefferson's parents, Peter and Jane Jefferson, took guardianship of the Randolph children and moved to Tuckahoe for seven years. Their two-year-old son Thomas moved in with them.
The National Historic Landmark is now being offered by the Thompson family, whose ancestors acquired the estate in 1935. It is the only surviving Randolph home on its original site and is permanently protected by conservation easements designed to preserve its remarkable history for future generations.
Estate Features
- —Price: $17 Million
- —Location: Richmond, Virginia
- —Living Area: 6,480 Square Feet
- —Lot Size: 557 Acres
- —Bedrooms: 5
- —Bathrooms: 3 Full Baths, 3 Half Baths
- —Special Features: National Historic Landmark, original one-room schoolhouse, James River waterfront, historic outbuildings, black walnut parlour, conservation easements
A long, cedar-lined driveway leads through white entrance gates to the mansion. The estate's Georgian architecture features black shutters and two brick chimneys, framed by tall trees. The mansion's front portico, with its simple pediment, slender columns, and original panelled front door, showcases understated elegance and colonial craftsmanship.
Tall, period-style windows frame the entrance, flooding the interior with light while preserving details that have remained since the 18th century. Another original entrance, hidden in the rear courtyard, offers a glimpse into the house's original function as a former staff entrance, surrounded by weathered brick pathways and original exterior details.
The Mansion's Interior
Upon entering the mansion, one steps into a central hall with rich wood panelling, wide plank flooring, and an original staircase. From there, the space leads into a large area that serves as the main hub of the house, with panelled doors leading to the individual living areas. One of the most inviting gathering places is the green parlour, where painted panelled walls, tall windows, and a chandelier illuminate the historic interior. Another parlour is completely lined with original wood panelling, preserved over centuries. A fireplace at the end of the room beneath historical artworks, built-in display cases, antique furniture, and a large Persian rug reflect the meticulously preserved character of the house.
The formal parlour, by contrast, feels brighter and more refined, with white panelled walls, high ceilings, and a marble fireplace forming an elegant focal point. The formal dining room continues the house's remarkable preservation, with tall panelled walls, a chandelier, and a carved fireplace. A long, polished dining table stands in the centre, while large sash windows fill the room with natural light and offer views of the grounds.
The mansion's bedrooms maintain the remarkable level of preservation, with each retaining its own colonial style. The blue bedroom is one of the most beautiful quarters, with painted panelled walls and a marble fireplace between matching four-poster beds. Tall windows fill the room with light, while antique furniture, a Persian rug, and historic furnishings underscore the room's historical character.
Another bedroom is clad in dark wood panelling, offering a warmer variation of the previous one. Here, too, a fireplace is framed by matching four-poster beds. Antique chests, woven rugs, and early American furnishings complete a room that feels largely unchanged for centuries.
In addition to the main house, the Tuckahoe estate includes one of the most complete collections of original plantation outbuildings in North America. These include the kitchen, smokehouse, storehouse, barn, overseer's office, historic quarters, and the schoolhouse.
