PW County’s Stewart new owner of historic mansion

The Bel Air mansion, built in 1740, recently sold to Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart and his wife were the highest bidders for the historic Bel Air mansion. They will move in some time in June. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
The Bel Air mansion has had some famous houseguests, including George Washington and Martha, who spent the night there while coming back to Mount Vernon from their honeymoon. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
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Kathy Stewart, wtop.com

DALE CITY, Va. – The new owner of a historic mansion in Prince William County is hoping a new job will take him to Richmond.

“It’s like walking back into the 18th century,” says Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors and candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor.

Stewart and his wife were the top bidders for Bel Air mansion, which was built during colonial times in 1740 and is the oldest home in the county. A few historic heavyweights even have spent the night there.

“George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both stayed here,” says Stewart, a self-proclaimed history buff.

Stewart says he still can’t believe he and his wife are the mansion’s new owners.

The home sold for $875,000. Stewart’s wife, Maria, placed the winning bid, InsideNova reports.

“We just knew we were going to make a run at it. We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to make the high bid at the auction,” he says.

Had the economy been a little different, things may not have turned out so well.

“You know if the economy was better, it probably would have sold for a lot more, probably outside of our price range,” Stewart says.

The Stewarts plan to move in soon after they close on the house in June.

“I have a feeling this will be in our family for a long time to come, for generations,” Stewart says.

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