Howell Homeplace
Why it's listed
Set in a grove of trees at the end of a farm road, this two-story weatherboarded farmhouse east of Tarboro was built in the second quarter of the nineteenth century as the seat of Brittain Howell's Edgecombe County farm. Its exterior is plain, with a hipped tin roof, two interior chimneys, a three-sided porch with slender columns, and three entry doors arranged asymmetrically. Inside, the entrance and stair halls carry painted imitation panels, marbleizing and rosettes, attributed to Edward Zoeller, a Bavarian-born fresco painter working in Tarboro. The plan may reflect an early side-hall house joined to a later addition, though the form leaves the question open. About six outbuildings remain, including a probable early kitchen that may date to the late eighteenth century. The farm grew cotton, corn, and other crops, later tobacco, and has remained in one family for over 150 years. The painted hall belongs to a group of Edgecombe County interiors regarded as significant statewide.
Significance in brief: The house is a plain example of vernacular Greek Revival farmhouse design whose simple exterior contrasts with a more sophisticated interior. Its entrance and stair halls have trompe l'oeil paneling and marbleizing attributed to Edward Zoeller, a Bavarian fresco painter active in Tarboro. The farm has stayed in one family for over a century and a half and is an example of a self-sufficient, multi-crop Edgecombe County 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 84000532, listed December 20, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SR 1517, Tarboro |
|---|---|
| County | Edgecombe County |
| Listed | December 20, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000532 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence on a working farm; condition marked good and altered. |
| Acreage | 478 |
| Coordinates | 35.91512, -77.46753 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 84000532.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19462426
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.