Lamb-Ferebee House
Why it's listed
Built in the early 1820s by farmer Miles Lamb, this two-story frame house north of Camden is a substantial example of Federal-style architecture in a rural North Carolina county. It has three bays, a gable roof and two double-shouldered brick chimneys, and it keeps much of its original window sash, beaded weatherboards and two Federal mantels, one with a carved sunburst. Farm buildings stand behind it, including a barn from about 1900, a smokehouse and a wash house from about 1860, and a family cemetery. Lamb's farm grew to more than 400 acres and was typical of Camden County's self-sufficient agriculture. Descendants have owned the property ever since, including Henry Clay Ferebee Jr., a prominent local agricultural leader. The house was rehabilitated in the 1930s and again in the 1970s, which altered some features but kept it standing. It is valued as one of the county's most complete antebellum farm complexes.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the house is one of Camden County's finest antebellum rural houses and part of one of its oldest and most complete farm complexes. It represents the county's self-sufficient agriculture and has stayed in the builder's family. Despite renovations in the 1930s and 1970s, it keeps its original form, some original finish and its setting in a working farm.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80002805, listed September 22, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Camden on NC 343, Camden |
|---|---|
| County | Camden County |
| Listed | September 22, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002805 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899, 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Miles Lamb (builder) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently renovated and rented; occupied and still part of a working farm complex. |
| Acreage | 3.2 |
| Coordinates | 36.35180, -76.19596 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80002805.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18153381
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.