The Schoolhouse Spindle Hill Farm

A solar-powered 1932 schoolhouse on a 50-acre working farm — original windows, hardwood floors, two swimming ponds with a dock, and a kitchen stocked like it means it. Three bedrooms, two colorful bathrooms, sleeps six. Private hiking trails through the woods, a gas fire pit, charcoal grill, and outdoor bar. Fast fiber internet. EV charger. Hidden and private, but 2 minutes from Devils Backbone and right in the heart of the 151 Brew Ridge Trail. An honest-to-goodness one of a kind.

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A red wooden house with white trim and a metal roof is surrounded by colorful autumn trees, fallen leaves, and a stone pathway.
A rustic cabinet with a distressed finish is placed against a blue wall, decorated with a vase of flowers, a lamp, and a candelabra on top. Two wooden chairs with woven seats are positioned on either side of the cabinet. A large, abstract painting with bright colors hangs above it. The scene includes a patterned rug and part of a floral armchair in the foreground.
Interior view of a dining room with three large windows showing colorful autumn trees outside. A wooden table with three chairs, a flower arrangement, and two candlesticks are on the table. Potted plants are on a small stand near the right window.
A neatly made bed with a wooden headboard, black pillows, a cylindrical bolster pillow, and decorative blankets in a cozy bedroom. There are two side tables with lamps, a patterned rug on the wooden floor, and windows with floral curtains letting in natural light.
A peaceful backyard scene with a pond, a small dock with lounge chairs, surrounded by trees and greenery, some trees with pink blossoms, and a house with a metal roof in the background.
A yellow upholstered sofa with four decorative throw pillows in various patterns and colors, set in a room with large windows and wooden floors. Behind the sofa are plants and candles.

This is a one-of-a-kind. The historic Rosenwald-style schoolhouse at Spindle Hill Farm sits at the center of a 50-acre working farm in the heart of Nelson County — solar powered, pond-fed, and unlike anything else you'll find on here. We are the fourth private owner since the school closed, and we've tried to be exceptional stewards of its history: the original enormous window bank, the hardwood floors, and the bones of the building are all intact. What we've added is color, art, comfort, and a kitchen that means business.

It's our beloved family home, and we're excited to share it.

THE GREAT ROOM

The original schoolhouse windows flood the great room with extraordinary light and frame views of two creek-fed ponds and the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. It's a genuinely stunning space. Hardwood floors from the original construction, original art, locally sourced antiques, a large comfortable sofa, and a dining table that seats 8-10. Built-in bookshelves hold board games, puzzles, and books for children and adults — including a collection of local history and nature guides.

THE KITCHEN

Incorporated into the great room and stocked like it means it. LG induction stove with convection oven, Bosch dishwasher, full-size fridge, microwave. Drip machine, grinder, French press, and Chemex for coffee. Blender, food processor, rice cooker, and — yes — a tortilla press. China, table linens, pottery, pans for every shape of cake, casseroles galore. Our local wine shop will build you a gourmet meal around exactly the right bottle — pick it up on your way home to the porch.

THE BEDROOMS

Three bedrooms sleep six, with real privacy between them.

The primary bedroom has an organic latex queen bed, an antique chest of drawers, and a large en-suite bathroom with a separate soaking tub and shower.

The pink bedroom is so lovely — windows on two sides, a comfortable double bed, a generous desk for anyone who needs to sneak in some work, and a large closet stocked with yoga and PT supplies. The vibrant teal hall bathroom is right next door, with a tub and shower.

The third bedroom is papered in 1930s wallpaper and has a very comfortable latex Murphy bed — a beautiful, characterful room with a story.

OEKO-tex certified European linen and organic cotton sheets throughout. Homemade soaps. Environmentally conscious bath and cleaning products. Sustainable paper goods. Pure, delicious well water — leave the bottled water at home. Portable Baby Björn crib available on request.

A peaceful autumn scene featuring a house partially visible on the right, surrounded by colorful trees with leaves in shades of green, yellow, orange, and red. A set of small steps leads up to the house, with a flower pot nearby. The sky above is bright blue with wispy white clouds.
Outside wooden deck with six green chairs around a dark blue table with a flower arrangement, overlooking a grassy yard with trees and a wooded area in the background.
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Outside

OUTSIDE

Two creek-fed ponds — one with its own dock for swimming, sunning, and jumping. Inner tubes and balance kayaks provided. A covered porch with outdoor dining and an outdoor shower for post-swim rinses. A patio with comfortable seating for six, a gas fire pit, a charcoal grill, and a small outdoor bar area.

Fifty acres of working farm to roam. Dad has built marked hiking trails through the woods, and a gentle mown path circles the hayfield. The farm road connects directly to 5+ miles of flat neighborhood trails. The only houses on our road belong to the farm — despite being minutes from everything, we are exceptionally privately located.

The goats and hens are up the hill. Come visit. Coordinate with Elise and she'll let you feed them.

THE DETAILS

Fast fiber internet for the work-from-farm dream. Amazon Fire TV. Bluetooth surround-sound stereo. Full laundry. All electricity provided by solar panels in the adjacent hay field.

A curated micro-store up the hill carries farm products, art, pottery, and textiles. Elise is happy to give you a tour of her studio. Lots of guests buy paintings right off the walls.

This is a historic schoolhouse and a beloved family home. We try to be exceptional stewards of it, and we hope you will too.

Living room with large windows, yellow sofa, blue armchairs, wooden coffee table, bookshelf, and various throw pillows.

Living room with large windows, yellow sofa, blue armchairs, wooden coffee table, bookshelf, and various throw pillows.

A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a black countertop, and a white tiled wall. There is a stainless steel refrigerator with colorful magnets and a front laundry message. A blue breakfast bar separates the kitchen from the dining area, which has two wood

A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a black countertop, and a white tiled wall. There is a stainless steel refrigerator with colorful magnets and a front laundry message. A blue breakfast bar separates the kitchen from the dining area, which has two wooden chairs with brown cushions and a small wooden table, all on a hardwood floor.

Living room with yellow sofa, black armchair, wooden coffee table, and large windows showing trees outside.

Living room with yellow sofa, black armchair, wooden coffee table, and large windows showing trees outside.

Living room with large window, yellow sofa, blue armchair, wooden chairs, built-in bookshelf, fireplace with TV mounted above, and hardwood floors.

Living room with large window, yellow sofa, blue armchair, wooden chairs, built-in bookshelf, fireplace with TV mounted above, and hardwood floors.

A vintage wooden chair with a patterned cushioned seat next to a decorated dresser with a floral tablecloth, a glass vase with dried pampas grass and white flowers, a table lamp with a fringed shade, and a sliding door with floral curtains in a pink-

A vintage wooden chair with a patterned cushioned seat next to a decorated dresser with a floral tablecloth, a glass vase with dried pampas grass and white flowers, a table lamp with a fringed shade, and a sliding door with floral curtains in a pink-colored room.

A cozy bedroom with a double bed covered in floral patterned bedding, surrounded by curtains with matching floral prints, a small wooden bedside table with a lamp, and a window showing greenery outside.

A cozy bedroom with a double bed covered in floral patterned bedding, surrounded by curtains with matching floral prints, a small wooden bedside table with a lamp, and a window showing greenery outside.

A small bathroom with blue walls, a white pedestal sink, a yellow towel hanging on a towel bar, a small mirror, wall-mounted light fixtures, a window showing greenery outside, a framed floral painting, and a metal shelf with yellow towels underneath

A small bathroom with blue walls, a white pedestal sink, a yellow towel hanging on a towel bar, a small mirror, wall-mounted light fixtures, a window showing greenery outside, a framed floral painting, and a metal shelf with yellow towels underneath the sink.

A small bathroom with teal walls, a white pedestal sink, a mirror with lamps, a window showing greenery outside, a framed floral painting, a towel rack with a yellow towel, and a shower with a patterned curtain featuring green leaves.

A small bathroom with teal walls, a white pedestal sink, a mirror with lamps, a window showing greenery outside, a framed floral painting, a towel rack with a yellow towel, and a shower with a patterned curtain featuring green leaves.

Four potted plants on a windowsill with a view of a backyard shed covered in greenery.

Four potted plants on a windowsill with a view of a backyard shed covered in greenery.

Backyard patio with two white lounge chairs, a black charcoal grill, a small table, a storage box, and a potted plant on weathered wooden decking, surrounded by trees with autumn leaves.

Backyard patio with two white lounge chairs, a black charcoal grill, a small table, a storage box, and a potted plant on weathered wooden decking, surrounded by trees with autumn leaves.

A small dock extends into a calm pond, with two blue kayaks resting upside down at the edge. Three plastic chairs are on the dock, overlooking the water, near a long pole or paddle. The pond is surrounded by lush green trees, reflections on the water

A small dock extends into a calm pond, with two blue kayaks resting upside down at the edge. Three plastic chairs are on the dock, overlooking the water, near a long pole or paddle. The pond is surrounded by lush green trees, reflections on the water's surface, and a grassy bank.

Bathroom with a glass shower stall, a bathtub with a towel, a window showing outdoor greenery, a mirror above the sink, and a cabinet.

Bathroom with a glass shower stall, a bathtub with a towel, a window showing outdoor greenery, a mirror above the sink, and a cabinet.

A backyard patio with a round table and six green chairs, two white lounge chairs, a potted shrub, and a view of trees beyond a concrete wall.

A backyard patio with a round table and six green chairs, two white lounge chairs, a potted shrub, and a view of trees beyond a concrete wall.

Outdoor patio with green chairs around a black metal table and a potted plant on top, in front of a red house with a covered porch and a wooden staircase, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Outdoor patio with green chairs around a black metal table and a potted plant on top, in front of a red house with a covered porch and a wooden staircase, surrounded by trees and greenery.

An outdoor patio table with a large potted plant with small blue flowers, surrounded by green chairs, with a red house and steps in the background.

An outdoor patio table with a large potted plant with small blue flowers, surrounded by green chairs, with a red house and steps in the background.

Outdoor patio with a rectangular black table and six lime green chairs, surrounded by a lush green backyard with trees and grass, and a wooden deck with stairs.

Outdoor patio with a rectangular black table and six lime green chairs, surrounded by a lush green backyard with trees and grass, and a wooden deck with stairs.

A peaceful backyard with a pond, surrounded by trees and a small house with a metal roof.

A peaceful backyard with a pond, surrounded by trees and a small house with a metal roof.

A peaceful lakeside scene with a small dock and a house surrounded by trees, some with pink blossoms, in springtime.

A peaceful lakeside scene with a small dock and a house surrounded by trees, some with pink blossoms, in springtime.

Outdoor patio with a table and chairs, potted plants, and a wooden deck, backed by a grassy yard and trees with bare and leafy branches under a blue sky.

Outdoor patio with a table and chairs, potted plants, and a wooden deck, backed by a grassy yard and trees with bare and leafy branches under a blue sky.

Interior view of a room with a wooden table and four chairs in front of large windows, showing trees with colorful autumn leaves outside.

Interior view of a room with a wooden table and four chairs in front of large windows, showing trees with colorful autumn leaves outside.

Red house with white trim and large windows surrounded by colorful autumn trees, fallen leaves on the ground, and a cloudy sky.

Red house with white trim and large windows surrounded by colorful autumn trees, fallen leaves on the ground, and a cloudy sky.

Colorful trees with fall foliage surrounding a pond, with a house partially visible on the right side.

Colorful trees with fall foliage surrounding a pond, with a house partially visible on the right side.

A red wooden house with white window frames and a gray metal roof, surrounded by green bushes and trees with fall foliage.

A red wooden house with white window frames and a gray metal roof, surrounded by green bushes and trees with fall foliage.

A bedroom with a wooden bed frame, black and white bedding, decorative pillows, and a patterned throw blanket. There are two nightstands with lamps, a window with lace curtains, and a small chair in the corner. A blue and white patterned rug is on th

A bedroom with a wooden bed frame, black and white bedding, decorative pillows, and a patterned throw blanket. There are two nightstands with lamps, a window with lace curtains, and a small chair in the corner. A blue and white patterned rug is on the wooden floor.

Bedroom with three large windows letting in sunlight, a bed with blue bedding and a green pillow, patterned wallpaper, and a red wooden chair with a cushioned seat.

Bedroom with three large windows letting in sunlight, a bed with blue bedding and a green pillow, patterned wallpaper, and a red wooden chair with a cushioned seat.

Decorative tabletop arrangement with a book, shell, candle, glass turtle figurine, and blotter with a floral wallpaper background.

Decorative tabletop arrangement with a book, shell, candle, glass turtle figurine, and blotter with a floral wallpaper background.

Corner of a room with a window, patterned wallpaper, a green wall, a framed artwork, and a wooden chair with a cushioned seat.

Corner of a room with a window, patterned wallpaper, a green wall, a framed artwork, and a wooden chair with a cushioned seat.

Living room with a yellow sofa, colorful pillows, wooden coffee table with magazines and a decorative bowl, blue walls, kitchen area in the background, and large windows.

Living room with a yellow sofa, colorful pillows, wooden coffee table with magazines and a decorative bowl, blue walls, kitchen area in the background, and large windows.

Bookshelves with children's books, a book about 'Raggedy Andy', a vintage brass kettle, and a diagram of the brain with labeled parts.

Bookshelves with children's books, a book about 'Raggedy Andy', a vintage brass kettle, and a diagram of the brain with labeled parts.

Shelf filled with various board games and puzzles, including 1000-piece Ravensburger puzzles, a 500-piece puzzle, and smaller games like Exploding Kittens, Scrabble, and Prime Climb.

Shelf filled with various board games and puzzles, including 1000-piece Ravensburger puzzles, a 500-piece puzzle, and smaller games like Exploding Kittens, Scrabble, and Prime Climb.

Living room with yellow sofa, blue armchairs, wooden flooring, bookshelf, fireplace with TV, and colorful wall art.

Living room with yellow sofa, blue armchairs, wooden flooring, bookshelf, fireplace with TV, and colorful wall art.

A kitchen featuring wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, black countertops, and a wooden floor. There is a patterned rug on the floor, and various kitchen appliances on the counter, with a blue wall behind.

A kitchen featuring wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, black countertops, and a wooden floor. There is a patterned rug on the floor, and various kitchen appliances on the counter, with a blue wall behind.

View of a kitchen with a stainless steel oven/stove, wooden cabinets, and a black countertop. In the background, there is a living room area with a yellow sofa, a navy blue accent wall with a mounted TV, a wooden fireplace mantle, bookshelves filled

View of a kitchen with a stainless steel oven/stove, wooden cabinets, and a black countertop. In the background, there is a living room area with a yellow sofa, a navy blue accent wall with a mounted TV, a wooden fireplace mantle, bookshelves filled with books and decorative items, and a side table with a lamp.

A tidy bedroom with a bed made with navy blue and white bedding, accented with decorative pillows. There is a wooden nightstand with a lamp, a small picture frame on the wall, and windows with patterned curtains letting in natural light. The floor is

A tidy bedroom with a bed made with navy blue and white bedding, accented with decorative pillows. There is a wooden nightstand with a lamp, a small picture frame on the wall, and windows with patterned curtains letting in natural light. The floor is hardwood with a small blue rug near the foot of the bed.

A cozy bedroom corner with a bed covered in a white and blue patterned blanket, a wooden bookshelf with books and a wicker basket, a yellow table lamp, and wall art including a colorful still life painting and two black-and-white sketches. A window w

A cozy bedroom corner with a bed covered in a white and blue patterned blanket, a wooden bookshelf with books and a wicker basket, a yellow table lamp, and wall art including a colorful still life painting and two black-and-white sketches. A window with floral curtains is partially visible.

Painting of an autumn landscape with trees, a dirt path, and fields, framed and hanging on a blue wall.

Painting of an autumn landscape with trees, a dirt path, and fields, framed and hanging on a blue wall.

A living room with a yellow sofa decorated with colorful pillows, behind a wooden dining table with flower arrangements, windows, and a blue wall.

A living room with a yellow sofa decorated with colorful pillows, behind a wooden dining table with flower arrangements, windows, and a blue wall.

A side view of a room with a blue wall, featuring a rustic cabinet topped with a vase of flowers, a table lamp, and a small candelabra. Two wooden chairs with woven seats are positioned on either side of the cabinet. A large abstract painting with vi

A side view of a room with a blue wall, featuring a rustic cabinet topped with a vase of flowers, a table lamp, and a small candelabra. Two wooden chairs with woven seats are positioned on either side of the cabinet. A large abstract painting with vibrant green, blue, and yellow colors hangs above the cabinet. Part of a patterned sofa and a black and white rug are visible in the foreground.

A room with a dark blue wall, a wooden cabinet on the left, an abstract painting with warm colors hanging on the wall, and a wooden chair with a dark seat in front of the wall.

A room with a dark blue wall, a wooden cabinet on the left, an abstract painting with warm colors hanging on the wall, and a wooden chair with a dark seat in front of the wall.

A close-up of a floral arrangement with dried and fresh flowers on a wooden dining table, with placemats and napkins. In the background, a rocking chair and a wooden chair are visible, with a blue wall and window letting in natural light.

A close-up of a floral arrangement with dried and fresh flowers on a wooden dining table, with placemats and napkins. In the background, a rocking chair and a wooden chair are visible, with a blue wall and window letting in natural light.

A decorative still life against a colorful abstract painting. The setup includes a vintage green cabinet with peeling paint, a ceramic vase with dried flowers, a black candlestick holder with three arms, and a glass table lamp with a white shade.

A decorative still life against a colorful abstract painting. The setup includes a vintage green cabinet with peeling paint, a ceramic vase with dried flowers, a black candlestick holder with three arms, and a glass table lamp with a white shade.

Corner of a room with green wall, wooden chairs, framed artwork, window showing trees and red building outside.

Corner of a room with green wall, wooden chairs, framed artwork, window showing trees and red building outside.

Map displaying various farms and attractions, including Blue Toad Hard Cider, Devils Backbone Camp, Spinelle Hill Farm & Studio, Silver Fox Lavender Farm, Rockfish Valley Trail, Bold Rock Nellysford Cidery, Blue Heron Farm, Blue Ridge Pig, and Three Notch'd Brewery, Distillery & Craft Kitchen in a rural area surrounded by forests and farmland.

  • Absolutely! We are delighted to host one pet at a time. We do ask that you keep dogs leashed outside to protect our livestock, and that animals are crated when left unattended in the home. However, most businesses are dog friendly in Nelson, so you can bring your pooch pretty much everywhere!

  • Yes! We love our micro-weddings! The cottage has very limited parking, but there is room for three cars, and we have hosted many private elopements with an officiant, photographer, and no guests. Please let us know what’s going on, though— we promise we won’t tell anyone!

  • BY CAR:

    Devils Backbone Brewery: 2 min

    Blue Toad Cidery: 3 min

    Bold Rock Cidery: 4 min

    Caihailian Vineyard: 5 min

    Three-Notch'd Brewery & Distillery: 6 min

    Nellysford (grocery, restaurants): 7 min

    Blue Ridge Parkway & Appalachian Trail: 9 min

    Hilltop Berry Winery: 10 min

    Wintergreen Resort: 10 min

    Silverback Distillery: 13 min

    Blue Mountain Brewery: 15 min

    Wild Man Dan Microbrewery: 15 min

    Veritas Vineyard: 20 min

    Afton Mountain Vineyard: 22 min

    Hazy Mountain Vineyard: 22 min

    Flying Fox Winery: 23 min

    Skyline Drive / Shenandoah National Park: 30 min

    University of Virginia Central Grounds: 35 minutes

  • Probably! Just schedule it with me in advance— as a busy mother of 3, my schedule fills quickly, but I have a few single-day classes I can offer, including my Wildcrafting Art Supplies class, and an introduction to landscape painting.

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