Janelia Manor

What’s in a name? At Janelia Manor, everything. This striking mansion, nestled near Ashburn, Virginia, whispers tales of the Pickens family, whose daughters, Jane and Cornelia, inspired its unique moniker. Janelia Manor isn’t just a beautiful building. It’s a time capsule, a testament to a bygone era of country house ideals. Constructed in 1936 for Robert and Vinton Pickens, Janelia Manor embodies the spirit of pre-World War II affluence. Robert, a journalist for the Associated Press, and Vinton, an artist and Loudoun County’s first planning commission chairman, sought a retreat that echoed their sophisticated tastes. They commissioned architect Philip Smith to create a home that defied the typical Georgian and Federal styles prevalent in Loudoun County at the time. Smith delivered a masterpiece. The Normandy Manor style, with its irregular massing, hipped slate roofs, and six prominent chimneys, stands as a unique architectural statement. Originally painted white, the brick exterior now wears a patina of time, adding to its charm. Imagine stepping through the heavy wooden entrance door. You’d find yourself in an entrance hall paved with rubber tiles artfully designed to resemble marble. A curving staircase beckons you to explore the upper floors. The parlor, with its grand marble fireplace and French doors leading to a screened porch overlooking the swimming pool, was designed for elegant gatherings. The dining room, boasting another impressive fireplace and panoramic views of the Potomac River, surely witnessed countless memorable meals. Janelia Manor was more than just a home. It was a self-contained world. The service wing housed a summer kitchen, laundry, and pantries, ensuring the smooth operation of the household. The upper floors provided comfortable accommodations, with five bedrooms on the second floor, each equipped with a fireplace. The third floor served as the servants’ quarters. Even the basement had its own story to tell, with a servants’ recreation room, a library, and a walk-in refrigerator. Today, Janelia Manor stands at the heart of the Janelia Research Campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The surrounding research campus may have transformed the landscape, but the manor itself remains remarkably unchanged. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Janelia Manor continues to inspire, not just as a scientific hub, but as a tangible link to a rich and fascinating past.