Hayes Plantation
Why it's listed
Hayes is a white-painted frame plantation house outside Edenton, North Carolina, built between about 1790 and 1801 by Samuel Johnston. Its two-story central block, topped by a hipped roof and a large cupola, is linked by curved colonnades to pedimented one-story wings. The water-facing side has tall Greek-Doric columns, a bracketed gallery with wrought-iron railings, and a west wing library with Gothic-style trim. Johnston had acquired the plantation in 1765 and lived there until his death in 1816. He served as clerk of the Superior Court, helped shape North Carolina's early constitution, was governor from 1787 to 1789, and became the state's first U.S. Senator. The nomination also values the house as a refined late Federal design with early Greek Revival feeling, preserved with many original furnishings, books, papers and carriages. It remains a private residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination ties the house to Samuel Johnston, a major North Carolina political leader, governor and first U.S. Senator from the state. It also argues the house is a superb late Federal plantation house with early Greek Revival touches, of remarkable sophistication and individuality, with original furnishings and papers.
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 74001341, listed November 7, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E. Water St. Extension, Edenton |
|---|---|
| County | Chowan County |
| Listed | November 7, 1973 |
| Reference number | 74001341 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1790-1816 |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Johnston (builder/owner) |
| Architectural style | Federal with early Greek Revival elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 7, 1973 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition good; used as a private residence and not open to visitors. The landmark text describes pristine condition, unchanged fabric and a collection of original furnishings. |
| Acreage | 600 |
| Coordinates | 36.05016, -76.60189 (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 74001341.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5686626
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.