House of the Week | Chevy Chase Colonial for $5.25 million

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Even though it’s been 50 years, many people haven’t forgotten when this Chevy Chase home was a private school.

“It’s funny how many [real estate] agents remember it or residents of Chevy Chase remember it as the boarding school, and that goes back a long time ago,” said listing agent Marc Fleisher of Long and Foster.

Stanwood Cobb and his wife, the former Nayan Whitlam, founded the Chevy Chase Country Day School in their home in 1919. Cobb was an Ivy-educated author and educator whose wide-ranging interests included the Baha’i Faith.

Before opening the school in Chevy Chase, Cobb earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth and a master’s degree in philosophy and religion at Harvard Divinity School. He had intended on becoming a Unitarian minister. Instead, he joined the Baha’i Faith and went on to write two books on it.

Cobb began his teaching career at a college in Turkey before returning to this area to teach at St. John’s College and the U.S. Naval Academy. He and his wife operated Chevy Chase Country Day School out of their home until the early 1960s. “A Handbook of American Private Schools” published in 1922 referred to the school as a “modern and progressive day and boarding school for boys and girls.”

Cobb remained in the home until his death in 1982 at 101.

“The prior owner changed [the house] from the school to a residence,” Fleisher said. “And the current owner changed it from a residence to a showcase.”

The current owner hired Barnes Vanze Architects and Horizon Builders to extensively renovate and update the 6,000-square-foot house in 2005. Interior designer Lisa Vandenburgh provided the finishing touches, while Fritz & Gignoux Landscape Architects created the inviting outdoor spaces.

The airy foyer provides a dramatic entrance to the six-bedroom, six-bathroom home, which was built in 1908. The main level — with its 10-foot ceilings, custom millwork, crown molding, beamed and tray ceilings, and heart of pine floors — is ideal for entertaining. The spacious kitchen has honed Caesarstone counters, a large island, double ovens and a six-burner gas range. There’s also a butler’s pantry, library, private office, guest suite and four fireplaces.

Wrap-around porches overlook a double lot with lush gardens, a water feature and a built-in hammock. The property also has a two-car garage and carriage house.

The three-level home is listed at $5.25 million.

Listing: 19 Grafton St., Chevy Chase

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@KathyOrtonWP, @postrealestate

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