Church Museum – Coveted Artist’s Estate and Museum of Robert E. Kuhn (1917-2000)
Adjacent to the Shenandoah National Park, this unique Church Museum, the artist estate is for sale, including the original art with an estimated value of $3.5 Million, from fine-arts — paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture, creative writings — original jazz performances.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the historic site “Tanners Ridge Mission (1921-1966)” as well as the home and private museum collection of original art by Robert E. Kuhn and family.
The “property” At 3000′ elevation, this 4.50-acre mountaintop location was the perfect setting for Kuhn to create his legacy. The mission had been abandoned. Kuhn subsequently bought and renovated the three buildings, turning them into separate guest residences and converting the rural property into his original art estate. Since his death in 2000, ownership passed to his three artist sons.
The “church” is the last existing “church” in the 200,000-acre Shenandoah National Park. It serves as an income-generating three-bedroom 
vacation rental that can only be described as “truly amazing”, with the entire interior of the “church” displaying colorful and imaginative original paintings, drawings, sculptures, and furnishings!
The stone “parsonage” building has additions that served as a workshop/studio for Robert Kuhn’s metal sculpting and painting.
The stone “activities” building is a studio/gallery complete with multiple skylights. Both the “activities” and the “parsonage” buildings could become additional rental units if renovated. Or, an artist buyer may choose to use the gallery as a private studio!
The Sculpture Garden is a virtual 2.75-acre museum filled with fantastic, vibrant sculptures that can only be appreciated as you meander among them. Interspersed amid the art you might find a horseshoe pitching pit plus several spectacular sites for intimate weddings. Included are approximately 50 original, one-of-a-kind sculptures that will forever be a part of this landscape.
“My work, paintings, and sculpture are simple, direct expressions. The aim is not to build an accurate portrait of a subject, but to isolate the action and vitality which gives life and personality. I attempt to do this through the use of line. Distortions are a tool that I use to help achieve my aim.” Robert E. Kuhn
Robert Kuhn’s three sons exhibit artistic talent in their own right and some of their work by also be seen here. The oldest is James P. “Happy” Kuhn, an accomplished mural painter known lovingly as “Happy the Artist” in the Richmond, Virginia area where so many of his murals are on display. Next is Nathan D. Kuhn, a “Pop” sculptor who has exhibited nationwide with Warhol, Lichtenstein, Rivers, Dine, Hockney, and Oldenburg. Nathan is also a Jazz-Harmonists and he and his wife, Iluminada, are the resident managers of the Artist Estate. The third son is Daniel R. Kuhn, a published Writer, Film Producer, and Jazz Agent. Dan oversees and maintains the adjoining 2.75-acre Sculpture Garden.
The converted church home offers an open-concept layout with actual cathedral ceilings. Bar seating at the extended countertop and modern stainless steel appliances provide everything needed to entertain and prepare gourmet recipes in the fully equipped kitchen. A fun, custom catwalk leads you from the second-floor bedroom to a room with a full en suite bathroom. The 3rd-floor ‘Angel-room’ will be loved by kids. Wake up feeling refreshed and take your morning coffee out to the private second-floor balcony, overlooking the beautiful backyard and sculpture park.
THE LOCATION of the CHURCH MUSEUM
This property has 450 feet of road frontage and is only 13 miles from Luray Caverns, a major Virginia tourist destination. The altitude is at a “cool” 3,000 feet and only 45 minutes from the scenic Skyline Drive.
Just across the road, there is access to the Shenandoah National Park, filled with an extensive network of trails and wildlife management areas. Explore the park by foot or mountain bike; fish, and canoe in the creeks. Take a 2.5-mile hike up the park’s fire road and finish the day by treating yourself to fine dining at the popular Big Meadows Resort, which draws over 2 million visitors per year.
Drive an easy 10 minutes to the town of Stanley where you can walk along Main Street and stop in local restaurants like The Hawksbill Diner for a quaint night out.
Explore the surrounding area and discover a unique wine-tasting experience at Wisteria Farm & Vineyard nestled against the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for its scenic rural beauty, this charming farm winery invites you to pack a picnic, tour the farm with a flock of Romney Sheep and relax by the fireplace in the tasting room. While you’re out, make sure to visit the Mindrolling Lotus Garden where you can observe a beautiful Buddhist Prayer Garden and dignified architectural features.
OTHER PURCHASING OPTIONS
"Information deemed Reliable but not Guaranteed."
| Price: | $880,000 |
| Address: | 3434 Tanners Ridge Road |
| City: | Stanley |
| County: | Stanley |
| State: | VA |
| Zip Code: | 22851 |
| Floors: | 3 Separate Buildings |
| Square Feet: | 2800 |
| Acres: | 4.5 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 4 |
