Willowdale
Also known as: Dhr#001-0062; Smith Place; Gunther Farm; Willow Dale
Why it's listed
Willowdale is a farmhouse on a 16-acre point of land beside the Machipongo River in Accomack County, Virginia. The two-story, five-bay frame house has a gambrel roof, brick gable ends laid in Flemish bond with glazed headers, and a brick foundation. Its north end began as a story-and-a-half patent house of the late seventeenth century. The main block was later enlarged, with a date of 1728 attributed to the south end, and a kitchen wing was added in the early nineteenth century. The colonnade between house and kitchen was enclosed late in the century. The stepped arrangement is typical of the "big house, little house, colonnade, kitchen" pattern of colonial Eastern Shore homes. The land was patented to the Smith family in 1666 and stayed in that family through generations, moving from a colonial homestead to a slave-labor plantation and then a post-Civil War farm. The listing recognizes its role in early settlement and its vernacular architecture. Today the house is deteriorated and under repair, though early moldings, plaster, paint and faux graining survive.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property is one of the few remaining dwellings of an early colonial settler and farmer, held continuously by the Smith family from the 1666 land patent. It is significant under Criterion A for early settlement and land use on Virginia's Eastern Shore. It is significant under Criterion C as an example of the "big house, little house, colonnade, kitchen" building type.
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 07000401, listed May 2, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 18412 Willowdale Dr., Painter |
|---|---|
| County | Accomack County |
| Listed | May 2, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000401 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1666 - circa 1899 |
| Architect / builder | Smith, John or George; Smith, Hewitt; Smith, George M.P.; Smith, Francis |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Deteriorated and in need of structural repair and a new roof; vandals have stolen floorboards, paneling and other fittings. The owner is undertaking preservation and reconstruction. |
| Acreage | 16 |
| Coordinates | 37.55973, -75.76133 (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 07000401.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16903495
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.