1. Chester, N.J. Beginning in 1937, philanthropist and socialite Elizabeth Donnell Kay transformed this abandoned 18th-century stone barn into a beloved restaurant. In 2010, the property was refashioned as a luxurious five-bedroom home. The original stone walls provide the framework for barreled ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces, and marble and walnut flooring. $2,745,000. Ashley Christus, Turpin Real Estate, Inc., (877) 788-7746

2. Ovando, Mont. Philanthropist Tom Meredith, a former executive of Dell Inc., has listed this 612-acre Montana ranch along the Big Blackfoot River, which was immortalized in the movie A River Runs Through It. The four-bedroom ranch features extensive woodwork, a stone chimney, a built-in barbecue, and a hot tub. $15,000,000. Keith Lenard, Hall and Hall, (406) 542-3762

3. Peacham, Vt. The late Gregory Rubin Reynolds left this property and all its contents to Northern Vermont Regional Hospital in 2011. Now for sale, the 1790s Cape house has four bedrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a reading room, a balcony, and a tavern room. The 224-acre grounds also hold a two-bedroom cottage, outbuildings, and a mixture of pasture and woodland. $1,495,000. Angie Holmes, Lang McLaughry Real Estate, (802) 846-7815

4. Sag Harbor, N.Y. Constructed in 1981, this five-bedroom East Hampton house was first owned by Helena Curtis, a nature lover who volunteered for the Animal Rescue Fund and helped create the Barcelona Neck preserve. The secluded property, surrounded by nature, features a den, a kitchen with an adjoining greenhouse, and harbor views. $3,200,000. Ray Lord, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, (631) 267-7387

5. New Orleans The owners of this six-bedroom, six-bathroom house in New Orleans’s historic Uptown district are long-standing supporters of the city’s art and cultural institutions. The home includes a garage and a fully landscaped courtyard with a pool and waterfalls. $3,000,000. Dorian M. Bennett, Sotheby’s International Realty, (504) 944-3605

Steal of the week
6. Ottumwa, Iowa Thomas D. Foster, who lived in this Tudor-style mansion, was deeply involved in Iowa’s philanthropic circles around 1900. The home still has its original leaded and stained glass, carved oak woodwork, and five fireplaces. The house can serve as five individual apartments or a single family dwelling. $350,000. Melissa Palen, Coldwell Banker Prestige, (641) 777-1329