By Jarred Marlowe
Nestled among the rolling hills of Stanleytown stands one of Henry County’s most remarkable landmarks, Stoneleigh, the former home of Governor Thomas B. Stanley. Built between 1929 and 1932, the 25-room English Tudor mansion reflects not only the wealth and vision of its owner but also the craftsmanship and elegance of a bygone era.
Governor Stanley and his wife, Anne Pocahontas Bassett, began construction of the grand residence on a 56-acre tract that remains one of the most scenic properties in the area. Inspired by a Tudor-style home he admired during a business trip to the Midwest, Stanley sought out its architect, Leland McBroom of Des Moines, Iowa, to design his own version in Virginia. Using stone from the nearby Smith River, McBroom created a mansion that combined Old World charm with modern sophistication. The result was Stoneleigh, a stately residence surrounded by manicured English gardens and boasting an interior of exceptional craftsmanship and design.
Thomas B. Stanley, who served as Virginia’s governor from 1954 to 1958, lived in the home until his death in 1970. Following his passing, ownership transferred to his children, who chose to donate the property to Ferrum College in 1980. The college maintained Stoneleigh for over a decade before selling it in 1993, beginning a new chapter in the estate’s history.
That year, Bill and Barbara Topa purchased Stoneleigh with plans to transform it into a four-star lodging and dining facility. Their vision, however, never came to full fruition. In 1998, Kevin and Whitney Witasick acquired the property for $800,000, but their time there was cut short by legal troubles. Mr. Witasick faced charges of tax evasion, tax perjury, and failure to file a tax return after falsely claiming the mansion as a business expense.
In 2010, Stoneleigh was sold again, this time to Citimortgage, a New York-based mortgage company, for $1.12 million. The sale was soon followed by a lawsuit from a North Carolina liability company, which accused Citimortgage of breaching a contract related to the estate’s purchase. The property later went up for auction on September 27, 2014, marking yet another turn in its complex ownership history.
Today, Stoneleigh remains privately owned but has been given new life as a bed and breakfast and event venue. Guests can rent the mansion in its entirety, allowing them to experience the grandeur once reserved for a Virginia governor and his family. Nearly a century after its construction, Stoneleigh continues to stand as a symbol of architectural beauty, regional history, and enduring Southern elegance.
Jarred Marlowe is a local resident and historian. He is a member of the Col. George Waller Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Blue & Gray Education Society, and the committee chair for the Martinsville-Henry County 250 Committee. He may be reached at marloweja15@gmail.com.
