Tuesday, February 5, 2013

'Hunting Hill'

 'Hunting Hill', the Walter Jeffords estate designed by Wilson Eyre c. 1914 in Media, Pennsylvania.  Jeffords, an investment banker, was married to the niece of Samuel D. Riddle and together Jeffords and Riddle owned Faraway Farm in Kentucky (Riddle also owned Glen Riddle Farm).  Riddle was the owner of Man O'War and later bred War Admiral.  Jeffords is one of only five people ever to be named 'Exemplars of Racing' by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.  'Hunting Hill' is now part of Ridley Creek State Park, click HERE to see the residence on bing.


Photos from Architecture, 1922.

7 comments:

The Down East Dilettante said...

This is such a terrific looking house---very suited to the land and the purpose.

The center section incorporates an early stone farmhouse which the Jeffords used as a hunting lodge, and liked so much that they made these subsequent enlargements.

The Down East Dilettante said...

When Eyre was at the top of his game, he was as good as it gets. Check out this video of Hunting Hill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhe46v1OcxE

ChipSF said...

From the looks of things on Bing, the house is in good shape, it has no hideous and ill-conceived addition and the parking area is tucked away out of sight. The stables also look to be well maintained and there are horses in the fields and the jumps in the ring are nicely lined up.

Someone in Pennsylvania seems to be doing something right.

Kellsboro Jack said...

This is one of my favorite homes with its sturdy yet slightly quirky configuration. The setting really enhances the grand lodge feel of the estate and thankfully its remained closed in with the trees.

The Jeffords family has remained deeply rooted within the equine scene. Only on the eve of Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Jr death (2003) did she sell off Faraway Farm in Lexington KY. They bred and raced the 5-time Eclipse award champion steeplechase runner - Lonesome Glory - a horse I thankfully was able to see run.

Sotheby's in 2004 had a spectacular auction of Walter and Kay Jeffords sporting art and trophies. Jaw dropping stuff for someone like me as a lot of Man O'War items were parted with.

Anonymous said...

...was there yesterday. the house and buildings are in very good shape with the exception of the greenhouse range, which is fenced off from the public. It is a very unusual house ...placed in a hollow...but with a very good view of country from the rear.

estateman said...

The terraced garden "rooms" above the house were originally the stone barns that burned down before the house was remodeled. Very interesting to look down
upon the house's many slate roofs.

Unknown said...

OCT 2014
About 5 years ago, I discovered, on this property, through dense woods, an old inground swimming pool. After cutting away the invasives over several weeks, I was delighted, the following year, to see the beautiful result. I would sit there and wonder about its past days. I have been photographing the place for several years, outside.