Bellemonte
Also known as: Dr. John F. Bellamy House
Why it's listed
Bellemonte is a large two-story frame plantation house in Rocky Mount, Nash County, North Carolina. Dr. John F. Bellamy, a leading planter, had it built about 1817, and a separate c. 1820 structure was later joined to it as a rear ell. The house combines Georgian and Federal details, including a modillion cornice, molded weatherboarding, three-part mantels and a two-tier entry portico with lattice and fretwork unique in the county. Its plan, with two rooms on the west side of the central hall and an enclosed stair behind the east room, reflects the owner's personal choices. Bellamy owned 101 slaves, more than any other Nash County resident before the Civil War, and the house served as the seat of a large plantation. In 1988 it was moved about a tenth of a mile onto North Carolina Wesleyan College land that was once part of the plantation. Restoration is under way, with a visitor's center planned.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an inventive, well-executed blend of Georgian and Federal architecture with a two-story entry portico with vernacular Chippendale features. Both the portico and the three-room plan around a central hall are described as unique in the county. It also reflects the lifestyle of Nash County's most prosperous antebellum planters, as the seat of a large plantation built for Dr. John F. Bellamy.
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 89002132, listed December 21, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd., Rocky Mount |
|---|---|
| County | Nash County |
| Listed | December 21, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89002132 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Ca. 1817-1861 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (perhaps Mess. Bell and Joyner, Tarboro) |
| Architectural style | Georgian; Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved in 1988 to the college campus and undergoing restoration, with exterior work largely complete; planned for use as a visitor's center with perhaps two administrative offices. |
| Acreage | 1.7 |
| Coordinates | 36.01906, -77.77677 (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 89002132.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19460460
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.