JFK’s Custom Home for Sale

By Penny Munoz

This year marked half a century of the tragic assassination of one of America’s most loved presidents. Widely covered by the media, John F. Kennedy’s life was memorialized for this special anniversary in Dallas, resonating a nation’s sadness. In related news, just in time for the grievous event, the former presidential property in Middleburg, VA, known as Wexford, has gone up for sale again.

Located in the heart of Virginia Hunt Country, the 166-acre property is comprised of grassy pastures and features views of the legendary Blue Ridge Mountains. Originally 39 acres, the property was purchased for the first lady, so that she may pursue her passion of horseback riding. Designed exclusively by the President and Mrs. Kennedy, the home was completed in October of 1963.

The last time the family would visit the home together was just 12 days before JFK was assassinated and it was where Jacqueline went to grieve her husband’s death. Within a year, the “Wexford” estate was sold. Three owners later, the home is listed at $10,995,000.

Loaded with American history, it’s surprising the home isn’t listed much higher. During the fall of 1980, President and Mrs. Reagan leased the property to prepare for the presidential election campaign. It is the same place where President Jimmy Carter and Reagan rehearsed debates! Having been renovated time and time again, the exterior has been upheld in honour of the family. “You see photos of the home — videos of them being there — and to see it now, it looks the same,” said listing agent Patricia Burns.

The one-storey 5,050 square foot home is surrounded by majestic riding trails and features modern stables for horses (with a bomb shelter beneath them). Former homeowners have preserved several secret rooms throughout the house, including the underground bunker used by Secret Services personnel. Another architectural secret is the hideaway above the closet of what was once the President’s bedroom. Despite all the secret “escape hatches” and “hideaways,” Wexford was designed in a timeless style, with modest finishes in contrast to the Kennedy Compound, which is one of the Kennedy’s more lavish properties. Jacqueline was quoted saying “It was the only home Jack and I ever built together, and I designed it all myself."

The four-bedroom home still maintains the original parquet floors, his-and-her dressing rooms, formal dining room, 9’ ceilings and built-in bookcases. Previous owners have said they tried to sustain the character of the home because it is one of a kind and was custom-designed by the couple. Though it was only theirs for a short time, the home is a much more personal, and private property, Jacqueline told the media, "I don't want it to be exploited and photographed all over the place just because it was ours."

Burns says she hopes future owners will appreciate and protect the history of the home “I’m sort of a child of that time period, and I remember when Kennedy was assassinated and now I have this listing 50 years later,” she said. “It’s amazing. We would all like to keep it as original as possible, and keep it from being developed. We’re hoping someone that loves the Kennedys would want to buy the house.”

All images via Zillow.com