Drawn to this place by whispers of time, welcome to Waterford. Here, the 18th and 19th centuries live on. This isn’t just a village. It is a National Historic Landmark District.
Waterford was established around 1733. Amos Janney, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, founded it. He bought 400 acres along Catoctin Creek. In the 1740s, he built a grist mill and saw mill. The settlement became known as Janney’s Mill because of the mills’ success. It became a center of commerce for grain growers and the town grew quickly.
Amos Janney died in 1747. His sixteen-year-old son, Mahlon, inherited the estate. Mahlon replaced the log mill with a two-story building. In the 1790s, the village was renamed Waterford. It was named after Waterford in Ireland. Some founders had lived there before immigrating to the United States.
Quakers were followed by Presbyterians, Lutherans, Baptists, and Methodists. Waterford was also home to free and enslaved African-Americans. By the Civil War, Waterford’s population was largely Quaker. As pacifists and abolitionists, they supported the Union. Waterford saw a fierce fight between Unionist and Confederate units.
In the early 20th century, Waterford began to decline. The Waterford Foundation was formed to preserve its history. In 1974, they created a land preservation program. Historic properties are protected through easements. Over 60 easements have been granted.
Each year, the Waterford Foundation hosts the Waterford Fair. It celebrates the town’s history, art, and culture. The motto is “An Autumn Celebration of Americana.” The fair includes historic home tours, artisan demonstrations, and live music. There are also living history exhibits.
Waterford is largely residential today. However, some businesses are based here. Loudoun Mutual Insurance Company has been in Waterford since 1849.
Waterford was listed as a Virginia Historic Landmark in 1969. In 1970, it became a National Historic Landmark. This designation recognizes its well-preserved architecture and landscape. Waterford is as significant as Independence Hall and Mount Vernon.
Significant buildings include the mill circa 1750 and Arch House Row circa 1750. There is also Camelot School circa 1800 and the Hague-Hough house. The Hague-Hough house is Waterford’s oldest house, dating back to around 1740. The Presbyterian church was built in 1882.
When you visit Waterford, you step back in time. Stroll along Main Street. Imagine life in the 18th and 19th centuries. The village has 97 homes. 64% were built before 1861. Only four were built after 1922. Waterford offers walking tours and nature trails. You can visit historic cemeteries.
Waterford’s charm lies in its preservation. Its homes, businesses, and fields look much like they did in the 1800s. The Waterford Corner Store offers vintage clothes and local products. The Waterford Market sells local lamb and crafts. Artists like Katherine Riedel and Antonia Walker have studios here. They paint the Virginia countryside.
Waterford is a testament to preservation. It is a place where history lives. Walking through it, you connect with the past. The village remains a reminder of simpler times. This unique blend of history and landscape makes Waterford a special destination. It is a place where the past and present intertwine seamlessly.