Welcome to the Thomas Downing Estate where your dreams of owning a historical home can finally become a reality. Steeped in history from a former barn on the original 870 acre property being used as a hospital during the American Revolution to having the original town of Milltown referred to as Downing’s Town then officially renamed Downingtown. Tucked away on 8 tranquil acres offering pastoral and treed views from every window you will be transported back in time to an era of grandeur.
This magnificent home was built over 3 centuries ago with expansions and updates over the years. It exudes a true sense of timeless elegance beginning with the gambrel roofed exterior and throughout the interior with endless wide plank wood floors, original millwork, lots of windows with deep sills, and 10 fireplaces. As you approach via the private road and turn onto the circular driveway you will be awed by the magnificence of this stone and stucco home and grounds. The warm and welcoming slate front porch along the entire front offers a breathtaking and private view of nature at its finest and absolutely screams WELCOME HOME.
As you step inside the front door you will be in the foyer with natural light streaming in from the large transom over the door. Here you will find the turned staircase tucked in the back as well as the beginning of the lovely millwork. To the right you will find the formal dining room with an elegant marble surround fireplace and a slate hearth. To the left of the foyer is the inviting formal living room with a fireplace offering a finely detailed surround and hearth, a built-in bookcase and large windows with deep sills. Tucked just off the living room is a small room with a stone wall that would make a great study and next to that is the powder room. On this floor you will also find the spacious, bright and cheerful “heart of the home” family room. This room boasts a massive stone surround with slate hearth walk-in fireplace and beamed ceiling that will surely take you back to yesteryear when this room was the hub of the family living space. The family rm has space for an informal eating area. Just off the family rm you will find the spacious island kitchen with skylights that fill the room with natural light. The stone cook’s fireplace is a magnificent focal point of the rm and will surely transport you back in time. The kitchen updates offer stainless appliances, lots of counter and cabinet space and a butler’s pantry that is like a 2nd kitchen with an abundance of storage, a wine cooler and door to the outside. There is also a spiral staircase to the 2nd floor. Also off the family room you will find a fireside room that would make a perfect den or study. The 2nd fl offers a large fireside master bedrm w/ double closets along with a large walk-in dressing room with lots of closet space and, amazingly, another fireplace. Just off the master bedrm is a large bathrm with double bowl vanity, platform tub, separate shower and, yes, another fireplace. On this flr you will find another large bedrm with a fireplace and just down the hall is bedrm #3 with nice closet space, a fireplace of course and ensuite full bath which also showcases another fireplace. Just off bedroom #3 is access to the spiral staircase leading to the kitchen for a quick sneak downstairs for a snack.
On this floor you will also find the conveniently located laundry rm with plenty of storage/workspace.
On the 3rd flr you will find a large loft area that could be used as a bedrm, two additional large bedrms, one with a wood stove, a full bath and two large unfinished rooms that were originally the meat house area. On the lovely grounds you will find many mature trees, a 2 stall stable, corn crib, well house and beautiful stone walls. As you will recognize after your first visit, this home has been lovingly restored and updated over the years with modern amenities seamlessly integrated into the historic architecture.