Once part of the extensive Carter family holdings, Oatlands Historic House and Gardens tells the stories of a 19th century working plantation, an early 20th century country house owned by Edith and William Corcoran Eustis, and the people who lived and worked there, including not only its wealthy owners but also enslaved laborers and artisans.

In addition to the Greek Revival mansion, the Oatlands property includes magnificent formal terraced gardens, one of the earliest extant greenhouses in North America, historic barns, and other outbuildings. Oatlands is also a venue for outdoor sporting events, ranging from local high school and college cross country meets to the Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point Steeple Chase race.

Established in the early 19th century by George Carter, Oatlands, on the basis of enslaved labor, was a thriving wheat plantation and base for numerous business enterprises until the time of the Civil War.

During most of the 20th century, Oatlands served as the country estate of Mr. and Mrs. William Corcoran Eustis, affluent Washingtonians with strong ties to the American political arena. Elegant formal gardens were created by generations of the two families who lived here.

After the Civil War, the plantation became unprofitable. A prominent Washington family purchased, preserved, and maintained the house and grounds as a country estate.

Oatlands is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and operated by Oatlands, Inc.