Constructed in 1939, Nesselrod on the New was built by the former Grace Nesselrodt and her husband Minor Wine Thomas. Noted architect Everette Fauber designed the estate. He was considered a restoration expert because of his work on renovating the Library of Congress and the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg. He also was instrumental in the layout of the grounds and both major gardens: the formal boxwood garden and the sunken garden. The result: a T-shaped, 2700-square-foot structure surrounded by a graceful curved drive delineated with tree "columns" and the three unique gardens running to the river.

Grace Thomas brought her passion for gardening and much of the original stock for the gardens with her to the cliff banks of the New River. Mrs. Thomas also discovered a talent for award-winning baking as a girl at a state fair. She became celebrated as the area's master cake creator, providing not only the garden site for weddings, but also the wedding cakes. She died in 1995 at age ninety-nine, and was an active gardener well into her nineties.

The original owners, it seems, were as individual as their home. Dr. Thomas had, early in life, been a conscientious objector who worked with American Indians and taught Geronimo's son. He died in 1966.