About

The Clifton traces its history back to a land grant owned by William Randolph dating to 1735. The first structures on the property were built under the direction of his descendant, Thomas Mann Randolph. The property has changed hands over the years, each caretaker in turn preserving some of the history of the place and making their own additions. The Clifton has grown from a five-room farmstead to an estate made up of several buildings and representing a legacy of over 200 years. The colonial origins and its evolution all contribute to its illustrious history which has earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thomas Mann Randolph was an early stateman of the Unites States, serving as a member in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly, as a Representative in the U.S. Congress and ultimately becoming the 21st Governor of Virginia from 1819-1822. He would develop the land that would become The Clifton with his wife, Martha Jefferson, the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson. The first structure on the property was the two-story building, now home to the Law Office and Honeymoon rooms, that served as the home and office for Randolph until the original manor house was finished in 1799. The estate was initially conceptualized as the start of a community formed around the potential of commerce along the Rivanna river. While the town of "North Milton" was established by the General Assembly in 1800, the grand plans for a port town along the Rivanna would be abandoned as river trade shifted to the James River. The Clifton remains the only evidence of Randolph's ambitious plan for a prosperous river port and remained his home until he neared the end of his life.

In 1832 the house was sold by Thomas Jefferson Randolph four years after the death of his father Thomas Mann Randolph. The Clifton passed between several owners near the end of the 19th century. This is when the first set of additions were built, expanding the Manor House and adding many of the supporting structures. One owner of note is Colonel Richard W. Wyatt who purchased the property around 1851 and first gave it the name "Clifton."

In 1983 the Clifton was first opened to the public as a bed and breakfast. It would evolve over the coming years and come to serve the community as a more sophisticated and well-appointed hotel, keeping its rich history in mind and looking toward the future. Now, the Manor House is home to our '1799' restaurant as well as lovely rooms and suites. The remaining outlying buildings of the estate have been converted to rooms or support for guests hoping to enjoy the beautiful and history-soaked estate that is now The Clifton.