The famous Colonial Williamsburg property Carter’s Grove is destined for auction Feb. 15 after owner Halsey Minor failed to make the last two payments on the property’s mortgage, according to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation President Colin Campbell.
“While we regret how these events have unfolded, I am confident that these actions support the best long-term interests of the Carter’s Grove site and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation,” Campbell said in an e-mail to Colonial Williamsburg personnel Thursday afternoon.
The site was purchased for $15.3 million in 2007 by the Carter’s Grove LLC entity; $5 million of the sale price was paid in cash, and $10.3 million was financed through a mortgage owed to Colonial Williamsburg. The Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily reported that Minor, in addition to failing to meet mortgage payments, owes taxes from the second half of 2010 and the first half of 2011 on the property. Tax ramifications total $21,846.47.
The integrity and ancient nature of the building will remain the same after its sale.
“Historic preservation and conservation easements that Colonial Williamsburg placed on the property at the time of its sale in 2007 are binding on the current and future owners of the property,” a Colonial Williamsburg press release read. “The easements will continue to protect and preserve the historic mansion, maintain the integrity of the mansion’s view shed, and protect the archaeological sites on the property.”
The new owners will be restricted from residential or commercial development on the 400-acre property.
The Carter’s Grove property was constructed for Carter Burwell between 1750 and 1755. Burwell was the grandson of Robert “King” Carter, one of the wealthiest men in Virginia at the time. In the 1960s, Colonial Williamsburg acquired the property and opened it as a museum.
The Feb. 15 auction will take place at 1 p.m. at the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse.