Rose on the hill

Rose Hill Farm in Stevensburg witnessed its share of destruction and tragedy during the Civil War. Now the elegant home overlooking the town of Culpeper is experiencing a rebirth of sorts, one the whole community can enjoy.

The farm, owned then by the Ashby family and carried through the generations to current owner and descendant John Covington, is transforming into a wildlife preserve, a destination for community events and a must-visit historical hot spot.

Long considered one the most historical homes in Culpeper County, and boasting one of the most striking views in the county, Rose Hill is now open by appointment for weddings, corporate events, private parties and hunting events.

Watching history go by
Situated near the corner of Batna Road and Route 3, Rose Hill very literally watched history march by its hallowed doors. Civil War soldiers from both sides passed in front of the venerable home at the corner of the historic Carolina and Kirtley’s Rolling roads.

During the Union army’s winter encampment of 1863-64, it served as the headquarters for Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick and the 3rd Division Calvary. Gen. George Custer and his bride even dined at the home as Kilpatrick’s guests.

Kilpatrick, known for his flamboyance and frivolity, often held horse races on the property, resulting in large sums of money exchanging hands.

“These races would be attended by thousands of soldiers,” Culpeper historian Clark B. Hall said. “The officers never cut this off because many of them were involved.”
On a tour of the Brandy Station Battlefield led by Hall that included Richmond resident Col. J.E.B. Stuart IV, Hall showed guests around the magnificent structure and pointed out the improvements under way throughout the 210-acre complex.

“All I see is success,” Stuart IV said as he surveyed the landscape.

A sporting paradise
The Stevensburg area was hit hard by the Civil War, leaving few structures standing. But Rose Hill survived and flourished. Passed down through family, the home is now owned by Covington, who along with his friend Walter Bell is turning the former farm into a wildlife preservation trust and a sporting complex.

“We are the largest habitat restoration project in the state of Virginia this year,” said Bell, who oversees the property. “We’re in the process of planting about 42,000 trees and shrubs, and we’re converting another 70-some acres back to warm-season native grasses.”

Bell and Covington formed a corporation around the property to turn the 210-acres into a wildlife restoration project and also a sporting facility. The corporation is also offering the home and the land as a place to host catered events such as weddings and corporate parties.

A stunning view from the back porch features the town of Culpeper quietly nestled under the Blue Ridge. “As the evening goes on and the sun is setting,” Bell said, “the mountains become more clear.”

It’s a scene the Covington family has treasured for more than 150 years.

A family retreat
The home was built in 1775 on property that Bell says began as a settlement with a small house in 1710.

“We consider Rose Hill sort of our family Jerusalem,” said Covington, a gastroenterologist who works out of Towson, Md. “We used to come here when I was a boy. We just loved this place.

“As we got older and as things changed, we realized we could not keep this much agriculture land in the family. We put together, with my good friend Walter Bell, a plan to try and convert Rose Hill into a site where events can be held.”

Covington hopes to translate that ambiance into memories for newly wedded couples and to use the home as a backdrop for historical sight-seeing trips.

The home, last lived in full time by Covington’s grandmother in 1964, has been restored to reflect the Civil War era. It now looks the same as it did in 1850.

It’s taken hard work, but it’s work that Covington cherishes. By preserving this estate, he plans to ward off development that has engulfed other historic areas in the Piedmont.
“It’s a labor of love, but sometimes it’s a labor of labor of labor of love,” Covington said. “We just hope the county recognizes the beautiful vistas of the area and preserves these things for history. We hope we don’t see a giant Tyson’s Corner right next door.”

Covington credits Bell with having the vision nearly a decade ago of restoring Rose Hill to its previous glory. It was Bell who spurred the wildlife preservation charge, but it was funding from Covington that brought the plan to life.

“The only (government) help we’ve received in this project is for habitat restoration,” Covington said. “Every dollar put into this has been put into by family. And you’re looking at him.”

But Covington also credits his wife, Dr. Claire Weitz, with giving him moral support during the restoration.

“She is my Abigail Adams,” he said, referencing one of the original first ladies.

Quail hunting
One of the keys to recreating the ambiance of Rose Hill is preserving its heritage of quail hunting. There will be a put-in shoot preserve for hunting parties and a separate 70-acre area for family members to continue their tradition.

“Bird-hunting has always been part of the heritage here at Rose Hill,” Bell said. “The Covington family has always maintained quail management practices since the early 1900s. Doing that is maintaining part of the heritage of this property. We’re also doing it for the enhancement of the wildlife and sporting activities.”

And they’re doing it to preserve the history of a house that has witnessed much of Culpeper’s vast history.

Jeff Say can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 115 or at

Want to know more?
The home: Rose Hill Farm, a pre-Civil War era estate in Stevensburg
What’s new: What’s old is new at Rose Hill. John Covington and his business associate Walter Bell formed a corporation to turn the Ashby/Covington family farm into a habitat restoration project and make Rose Hill the house into a destination for parties and banquets. The house has been restored to what it looked like in 1850 and the lands are being stocked with wildlife for sporting events and wildlife restoration projects. 
Contact: Walter Bell; 423-1930 or