Wheatland, built circa 1850, overlooks the Rappahannock River.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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The two-story Greek Revival plantation house has two identical facades, each proudly greeting the river or road with a two-story entry.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Family silver and portraits on display in the dining room.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Photo: Patricia Lyons
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A classic canopy bed and plenty of reading material.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Floral wallpaper in a bedroom.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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The central staircase.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Wheatland in 1910.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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A collection of game bird and waterfowl etchings.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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After the Civil War, the family had to sell furniture and silver to keep the property, but descendants later found original furniture, books, and oil portraits in the house’s attic.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Over time, the family has added period-appropriate pieces bought from nearby antiques dealers.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Hunt-ready waders in the mudroom.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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“The house could be updated, but that’s not what we’re going for,” says Louise Bance. “It feels suspended in time.”
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Pup at the ready.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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The family strolling to the river.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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The view of the Rappahannock River from Wheatland.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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The house sits atop a raised brick basement.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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The original Saunders wharf burned in 1900, but its 1901 replacement, a massive wooden warehouse perched on timbers along the bank, still stands.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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“The river is the reason Wheatland and all the other beautiful old homes are here.”— Peter Bance
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Wateremelon and wine inside the steamboat wharf at Wheatland.
Photo: Patricia Lyons
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Today in the wharf, kayaks and canoes fill stalls that once held livestock and bushels of wheat.
For almost fifty years, they carried the bags of golf legends but also masterminded victories from the tees to the holes. Then, with one decision, their lives shifted, and the legacy of their glory days went unheralded. Finally, that’s changing