Described as "the epitome of rustic luxury" by Washingtonian Magazine, this 1760 original log home has undergone extensive renovation and expansion, resulting in a bespoke getaway that offers all the appointments of a fine hotel.
Location Highlights:
- 1.5 hrs from Washington D.C.
- Just 20 min from the Bryce Ski Resort
- 40 min from Massanutten Ski Resort
- Adjacent to Shenandoah National Park
- 30 min from Harrisonburg and JMU
The space
The Retreat at Mt. Jackson sits on over 20 acres of private forest, providing the perfect secluded escape for families, friends, or couples. The property features a variety of luxurious amenities, including Viking appliances, marble counters, handmade Aireloom mattresses, and Molton Brown bath products. With two well-appointed owners' suites and a chic bunk room, the Retreat can comfortably accommodate up to two families with 4 adults and 6 children, or a group of up to 6 adults.
The Retreat offers a variety of on-property amenities to ensure guests have an unforgettable experience. Take a dip in the hot tub, zip-line through the forest, hike on the trails, test your skills on the ninja course, or explore the surrounding area on the six-passenger ATV.
The property's dedicated guest concierge will be available before and during your stay to ensure that all of your needs are attended to. She will work with you to plan activities such as wine tastings at local vineyards, in-house massages, ski trips, and river rafting adventures.
We look forward to welcoming you to this one-of-a-kind destination and making your stay as enjoyable and memorable as possible!
THE KITCHEN
The spacious kitchen was designed and appointed with everything a chef would need to prepare fabulous meals. A Viking range, Sub-zero refrigerator, and spacious carrera marble counters set the stage. A full assortment of cooking tools, including professional Henckel knives, All-Clad cookware, Vitamix blender, professional KitchenAid mixer, and Emile Henry bakeware, are a joy to cook with.
SPACE TO RELAX
Take a nap on the porch bed, have a cocktail on the screened porch, and find yourself slipping away from reality.
The large living room is perfect for hosting friends and family or reading by a roaring fire. In addition, kids and adults alike will also enjoy watching movies and playing games in the plush family room.
OWNERS SUITE 1
Sleeps 4 Guests
[King & double twin daybed/trundle]
This bedroom suite takes up the entire top floor of the cabin, which once was the sleeping loft for a family of 11! It features a large working stone fireplace and a gorgeous treetop view. The king-sized bed is fitted with an ultra-premium, handmade Aireloom® mattress, feather-bed topper, down comforter, and fine linens.
Underneath a wall of windows, a cozy daybed is a perfect place to relax and read. The daybed, and its hidden trundle bed, can also be made up into two twin beds - perfect for kids!
A large desk with an iMac computer and printer is available for guests to use. In addition, there is a large closet with built-in shelves and drawers.
The bathroom for this suite is on the main floor, directly below the bedroom. It features a clawfoot tub, spa-like shower, large marble-top vanity, premium hairdryer, a full assortment of Molton Brown bath products, plush towels, a heated towel rack, and a lighted magnifying mirror.
OWNERS SUITE 2
Sleeps 2 Guests
[King] Can also add up to 2 rollaway beds
This suite features a gorgeous iron canopy bed and french doors that lead out to a private patio. The king-sized bed is fitted with an extra-plush, handmade Aireloom® mattress, down comforter, and fine linens.
A large antique rolltop desk is set up for working remotely while enjoying views of the forest. In addition, there is a large walk-in closet with built-in shelves and drawers.
This bedroom also has an ensuite bathroom with a luxurious spa-like shower, premium hairdryer, a full assortment of Molton Brown bath products, plush towels, and a lighted magnifying mirror.
THE BUNK ROOM
Sleeps 4 Guests.
[4 Twin]
This chic cozy bunk room will give you flashbacks to summer camp. Each of the 4 twin beds is appointed with a premium memory foam mattress, luxury linens, down-feather comforters, and a brass reading light. The closet is filled to the brim with toys, gear for exploring, and dozens of games. That said, the most exciting feature of this room is a hidden opening that leads to a secret kids’ nook under the stairs!
The adjacent bathroom has a luxurious spa-like shower, a premium hairdryer, a full assortment of Molton Brown bath products, and plush towels.
HOTTUB
A 4-person hot tub is available year-round. It is kept at 100 degrees and is professionally maintained.
SIX PASSENGER ATV
Use of a new, six-passenger Kawasaki Mule UTV is included, provided an additional waiver is signed.
SONOS SOUND SYSTEM
The home is fully outfitted with indoor and outdoor Sonos speakers. The system can be controlled via the Sonos app on your phone or through the iPad found in the kitchen.
iMac, iPad & Apple TV
A new iMac computer and printer is located in the upstairs guest suite and available for guests to use. An iPad in the kitchen can be used to control the Sonos sound system, lighting, and security system and browse the web. Lastly, the TV in the Family Room is equipped with Apple TV and a Sonos sound bar.
INTERNET
Internet is available via two redundant networks. Given The Retreat's remote location, a Starlink satellite network and DSL network are available for use. Both networks have base-level speeds and can generally manage video streaming and video calls.
LAWN GAMES
The Retreat is stocked with professional-grade lawn games. You will find Bocce, Croquet, Ring Toss, XL Jenga, Horse Shoes, and more located in the shed closest to the cabin.
ARCHERY
Two professional archery bows and dozens of arrows are available to use. Please use extreme caution and place the archery target away from any other individuals. Adult supervision is mandatory.
DISK GOLF
A three-basket disc golf course is located on the back lawn. The professional-grade discs can be found in the shed closest to the cabin.
ZIPLINE & KIDS’ NINJA COURSE
The zipline and hammock located in front of the cabin are great for both kids and adults! The Ninja course is a kid favorite but not recommended for anyone over 130 lbs.
FAIRY GARDEN
On the property is a secret fairy garden. We encourage all guests, both young and old to add fairy houses and other items to the garden! There is a kit with supplies to build anything you would like within the bunk room closet.
SLEDDING
There are plenty of sleds for your use in the upper shed closest to the cabin.
All 20 acres of the property, including trails, gravel roads, and a rolling lawn, are available to roam on foot or, using the 6-passenger ATV.
THE HISTORY
The history of The Retreat at Mt. Jackson predates the founding of the United States. The original log cabin was built in 1760 on a farm in Southern Virginia.
Using only hand tools, the giant chestnut timbers that make up the log walls were milled on-site. In addition, hundreds of large limestone foundation blocks were hand-chiseled to hold the immense logs and chimneys.
The log cabin originally served as home to a farmer with nine children. At the time, the home consisted of only the main floor and a loft, which was used as sleeping quarters for the entire family. On the main floor, one fireplace was used for cooking, while the other was used for heat.
At the turn of the 20th century, the log cabin became a cowshed. Cows lived, ate, and slept on the same wood floors that remain to this day. After sheltering cows for over 100 years, the log structure was discovered by a couple looking to build a log cabin in Mt. Jackson, Virginia. They purchased the log cabin in the early 1990s and had it painstakingly dismantled, labeled, and transported to its current location. In addition, all of the foundation and chimney stone was crated and transported with the logs.
In 1995, the cabin was carefully re-constructed by an expert architectural historian and builder. In addition, any new construction materials were carefully selected for their historical authenticity and durability. This included new windows, interior millwork, chinking (the hard concrete-like material between the logs), and additional structural beams. Remarkably, even after centuries of wear, the original hardwood floors were still usable. However, each floorboard was covered with hundreds of years worth of dirt and grime, which needed to be scraped and cleaned off by hand. Once that process was completed, the floorboards were re-milled and installed again.
Not only was the original log cabin reconstructed, but it was also expanded upon. The upper level of the log structure was elevated to allow for higher ceilings. The basement level was also added. Further, an addition was made to the back and side of the log cabin, which allowed for a large kitchen, dining area, and bathrooms.
25 years after being moved to Mt. Jackson, the cabin underwent another major renovation. The current owners wanted to bring a new level of luxury and sophistication to the property while maintaining the original historic character. A new open-concept kitchen and dining room were added, along with a third bathroom, master suite, family room, and bunk room.
All of the materials used in the renovation were carefully selected to be not only functional and aesthetically beautiful but also historically authentic. For example, all of the ironwork, including the solid iron bookcases flanking the fireplaces in the living room, were custom forged by a master blacksmith who restored the metalwork at George Washington’s, Mt. Vernon Estate. The stone floors in the kitchen, bathrooms and dining room are from a Virginia quarry. The solid brass fixtures, door hardware, and other accents have raw “living finishes” that will continue to age and patina over time. These are just a few of the hundreds of details that were added in order to make the property a one-of-a-kind luxury retreat.
