Classical, Greek, Georgian - and the mansion with the quirky past

Leesburg, Virginia - a town with a reputation for horses and history - is home to the Leesburg Historic District. Since the Leesburg Historic District dates back to 1757, the sleepy, hilly town has been filling up with cobblestone streets, colonial mansions, and stately estates that tell a tale of a bygone era. As you stroll past its brick façades, take a peek inside, and you’ll see a little bit of history in each one. <br></br> The Leesburg Historic District is a charming neighborhood filled with Classical Revival, Greek Revival, and Georgian architecture.

<br></br> Wander through its cobbled streets, and you’ll find Georgian homes, complete with white columns, along with Federal and Greek Revival buildings decorating the town. These styles are the result of the town’s long history, which started all the way back in 1757.<br></br> A walk around the historic district will take you from the Loudoun County Courthouse to the Thomas Balch Library, a beautiful library that’s been part of the community since 1903.

Now, if the buildings could talk, they’d have some interesting stories to tell. <br></br> One place in the Leesburg Historic District that certainly has an interesting story is Carlheim Mansion. This Second Empire – Italianate influenced mansion, with its turreted roof and ornate detailing, was added to the Leesburg Historic District in 2004, but it’s had quite the journey to get here. <br></br> Originally built in 1884, Carlheim Mansion has seen its fair share of owners.

One of these was Margaret Paxton, a well-known conservationist. She bought the mansion and its 16-acre grounds in the early 1900s, and set about creating a beautiful garden sanctuary, complete with a pond and beautiful fountains. The mansion was eventually added to the Leesburg Historic District, but its history doesn’t end there. After Margaret Paxton passed away, the mansion was sadly neglected for a while. Then, in 2009, it was brought back to life as the Margaret Paxton Memorial Learning and Resource Campus.

<br></br> Today, the mansion is a hub for learning and community activities. It’s still a private trust, but its doors have been opened to the public, offering tours and events throughout the year. If you’re lucky enough to visit, you might even get to take a peek inside the Aurora School, which is part of the Memorial Learning and Resource Campus.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons