Ballard-Maupin House
Also known as: Plainview Farm; VDHR File No. 02-239
Why it's listed
Located one mile west of Free Union in northwestern Albemarle County, this frame farmhouse, known as Plainview Farm, is made up of three sections. The oldest, a one-story, three-bay section with a rubble stone foundation, probably dates from 1750-1790 and was likely built by early settler Thomas Ballard. Between about 1800 and 1820 it was extended west and raised by a half story. The interior from this period includes reeded mantels and paneled wainscot of unusually high craftsmanship for a vernacular house. Later owners from the Maupin family added a rear porch and addition in the late 1800s, and further changes followed in the 1930s. A 1994-1995 restoration replaced the late addition with a new kitchen and dining wing and returned the earliest rooms to their original layout. A mid-19th-century shed and an early-20th-century tractor shed also survive. The property was listed for its architecture, as a rare surviving early Albemarle County dwelling.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion C as a well-preserved early vernacular dwelling in Albemarle County, where fewer than a dozen houses are known from the mid-to-late 18th century. The hand-carved woodwork and reeded mantels are unusually fine for a vernacular house of the period. The outbuildings are remnants of a working farm that operated into the 1940s.
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 99000142, listed February 5, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4257 Ballard's Mill Rd., Free Union |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | February 5, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000142 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1750-1945 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Other - early vernacular frame |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is described as in excellent condition after a 1994-1995 restoration and the addition of a rear kitchen and dining wing; it is still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 38.15367, -78.59784 (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 99000142.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14711996
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.