The Campus
Our Story
Carlheim Manor was built in 1872 in the northeast part of Leesburg, Virginia, for Pennsylvania industrialist Charles R. Paxton (1816–1899) and his wife, Rachel (1826–1921). Their love of children led to the creation of the Margaret Paxton Memorial Trust for Convalescent Children, named after the Paxtons’ daughter, that called for Carlheim and the surrounding land to be used to care for children in need.
Today, the Paxton Campus spans more than 16 acres of the original property in Leesburg. Working closely with non-profit partners, we continue to carry out the wishes of Mrs. Paxton through educational and therapeutic programming, community events, and other engagement activities for children of diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities.
Our community’s needs have changed with time, and with the rapid growth of the area comes a new opportunity for the Campus to help more children in need. The Paxton Trust is establishing a Mosaic Campus, a place that unites children with diverse special needs with organizations that will help them thrive.
The Mosaic Campus
The Mosaic Campus is an important step in our journey to care for as many children in need and their families as possible in northern Virginia and surrounding communities. This expansion builds on our 100+ year history and brings to life our long-established vision for the future: To maximize the highest and best use of the Paxton property through organizations that provide support to children in need regardless of age or ability.
Our Reimagined Campus
Features:
Create shared space for multiple compatible non-profits.
Provide shared amenities and opportunities to construct program-specific facilities.
Unite non-profit partners under a cohesive Campus identity and honor the Campus heritage.
Replace low-performing structures with sustainable, low-carbon, energy efficient buildings that are enduring and adaptable.
Restore the Carlheim Manor House as the focal point of Campus.
Establish an Incubator Space to foster growth for small and start-up non-profits.
New Design
Carlheim Manor House: Non-Profit Incubator
Co-working offices, collaboration spaces and event spaces for community fundraising, outreach and engagement.
Paxton Park
Environmental learning area (providing storm water management) accessible to the community.
Kitchen Garden
Learning and therapy garden.
Peacock House and The Croft
Welcome center, events space and coffeehouse.
Natural Amphitheater
Performance space on the sloping lawn.