Strawberry Hill
Why it's listed
Strawberry Hill, east of Enfield in Halifax County, is a plantation complex with a two-story frame house that family tradition dates to 1792, when planter Cary Whitaker is said to have built it. A rear ell, traditionally dated to 1836, was added by his nephew and namesake, Dr. Cary Whitaker. The front block keeps its three-bay facade, exterior end chimneys, molded weatherboards and a two-room hall-and-parlor plan with restrained Georgian woodwork. Nearby stand a smokehouse that may predate the house, several later farm buildings and a former silk-worm house now used as a dining room. The silk house recalls the 1830s enthusiasm for silk culture, which failed to repay the investment. The farm grew little cotton and instead offered ginning services to neighbors. Members of the Whitaker family have held at least part ownership in every generation. The property was listed as an unusually intact example of regional planter-class architecture and agrarian life.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a well-preserved example of late Georgian vernacular domestic architecture in eastern North Carolina, with a two-room plan and restrained woodwork. It is tied to the locally prominent Whitaker family and the plantation economy of the Roanoke Valley. The farm complex, including a smokehouse and an early silk house, reflects the region's agrarian life.
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 80002841, listed January 15, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of Enfield on SR 1100, Enfield |
|---|---|
| County | Halifax County |
| Listed | January 15, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002841 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Late Georgian vernacular |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as well maintained, in good condition and unaltered at the front, occupied and in private residential and agricultural use. The house was rented during the estate proceedings. |
| Acreage | 95 |
| Coordinates | 36.15945, -77.59947 (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 80002841.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18711660
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.