Cherry Hill Farmhouse

Gazing upon Cherry Hill Farmhouse, one might hear whispers of laughter and the scent of freshly baked bread. Cherry Hill Farmhouse stands as a testament to a bygone era, a time when life moved at a slower pace. Built in 1845, this Greek Revival-style farmhouse in Falls Church, Virginia, witnessed the changing tides of history, from the bustling antebellum period to the echoes of the Civil War. Originally part of a sprawling 73-acre farm, Cherry Hill Farmhouse first belonged to William A. Blaisdell, a market stall manager in Washington, D.C. The orchards that once graced the land gave the house its charming name. The Blaisdells lived through the tumultuous years of the Civil War, their fields occupied by both Union and Confederate troops. Stories abound of confiscated livestock, plundered orchards, and even missing furniture. Later, the Riley family became the heart and soul of Cherry Hill Farmhouse. From 1870 to 1945, they filled the house with life and laughter. James Whitcomb Riley, the renowned poet and a relative of the family, found inspiration within these walls, weaving the farmhouse and its inhabitants into his verses. Cherry Hill Farmhouse holds a unique place in Falls Church’s history. Joseph Riley, a prominent member of the family, played a key role in the town’s incorporation in 1875. The farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings eventually passed to the University of Virginia before becoming the property of the City of Falls Church in 1956. Today, Cherry Hill Farmhouse stands proudly within a seven-acre park, inviting visitors to step back in time. Inside, authentic 18th and 19th-century furniture whispers stories of generations past, lovingly preserved by the Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation. The barn houses a remarkable collection of 19th-century tools, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of those who worked the land. Cherry Hill Farmhouse remains one of only six Victorian-era houses in Falls Church listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a timeless reminder of a rich and vibrant past.