Rocklands

Rocklands is a brick dwelling with five bays near Gordonsville, Virginia, topped by a hipped roof and defined by a striking Ionic column portico. The property comprises multiple auxiliary buildings, including a guest house, service structures with garage, staff quarters, and a 19th-century barn.

The mansion was built in 1905 for Thomas Atkinson and reflects the architectural preferences of that era. It underwent extensive reconstruction during the 1930s under the direction of architect William Lawrence Bottomley.

The grounds feature formal gardens that add structure and refinement to the property, creating outdoor spaces that frame the main building and contribute to its overall composition.

The grounds feature several ancillary structures worth exploring that enhance understanding of the property as a whole. Access requires planning, as the estate is situated in a rural setting some distance from town.

During the 1930s renovation work, the entire building was lowered by removing the elevated basement that had originally created distance from the ground. This dramatic change brought the structure closer to its surrounding landscape.