the hermitage near charles town, west virginia is historic property which includes several buildings, as well as non-contributing tennis courts and a pool. the oldest structure is a small stone cottage dating to "circa" 1734, making it one of the oldest buildings in west virginia. it resembles prato rio in nearby leetown, west virginia and may date to this property's first owner, daniel barnett, who was a partner in the burr iron works (a/k/a the bloomery forge) circa 1740, the first of its kind in the state. a stone privy is also believed to be the oldest structure of its kind in the state.