Mirador

Mirador is a large estate with a two-story brick mansion that features a hip roof and a portico supported by paired Tuscan columns. The property sits on 141 acres at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is surrounded by several preserved outbuildings from different eras.

The estate was built in 1842 for James M. Bowen and gained its present form through extensive renovations in the 1920s by architect William Adams Delano. These changes transformed it into a Georgian Revival style residence that defines its appearance today.

Nancy Langhorne Astor grew up on this estate as a child and later became the first woman elected to the British Parliament. Her formative years here shaped her path to political leadership.

The property is located in Albemarle County, Virginia, in a quiet rural setting with straightforward access by country roads. The surroundings are typical of the foothills region with gentle rolling terrain and wooded landscapes.

The grounds include Sam Black's Tavern, a log structure built in 1769 where Thomas Jefferson stopped multiple times between 1768 and 1772. This building links the property to early American history through a notable visitor from the founding era.

Location: Virginia

Architects: William Adams Delano

Architectural style: Federal architecture

GPS coordinates: 38.03810,-78.75670

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00