history

Mount Ida Farm is located in one of Albemarle County's most exquisite and historically significant districts. The fully restored and greatly expanded Mount Ida residence stands above her lands as one of the most historically significant homes in Albemarle County, and Virginia as a whole. Situated on a promontory overlooking the Hardware River, Mount Ida Manor, is privy to expansive pictorial views stretching to the horizon. Originally built circa 1795 in Buckingham County, Virginia, Mount Ida eventually fell into neglect. James Murray purchased the home on it’s Buckingham County site where it was meticulously disassembled, labeled and reassembled on it's current site in Albemarle County. Within the state of Virignia, it is the only home registered as a national historic landmark to be relocated. Prior to Mount Ida’s reassembly the foundations of a 17th century home were still intact. It was this foundation that Mount Ida was reassembled on. The orientation of the foundation and house are designed to showcase a centuries old holly tree, now the symbol of Mount Ida Farm.

In one of the pictures to the right, you will see a pane of glass, bearing the etching "J Leitch 4/28/1898". The story behind the etching was to mark the wedding celebration of a young bride whose diamond ring was used to do the etching.

 Click here to view the Extended History of Mount Ida Farm

Click here to view the History of Mount Pleasant Estate the sister farm to Mount Ida