Bellair
Also known as: VDHR File No. 02-02
Why it's listed
Bellair is an 853-acre farm in southern Albemarle County, Virginia, of which 250 acres are nominated. Its centerpiece is a two-story, five-bay Federal house with beaded siding, a modillioned cornice and Flemish bond brickwork, built between 1794 and 1817 for Charles Wingfield Jr., a magistrate and sheriff. Colonial Revival additions came in the 1930s under architect Marshall Wells, with further changes in the 1960s. Inside, the house keeps original woodwork, including a paneled stair dado and Federal mantels. Martin Dawson bought the farm in 1817. He was the first president of the Rivanna Navigation Company, helped lead early county education efforts, and left a will that funded schools and gave property to the University of Virginia. Later owner Reverend Walker Timberlake ran a mill on the land and is buried in the family cemetery. Outbuildings include a guest cottage, smokehouse and overseer's house.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues for statewide significance based on the house as a good example of Federal architecture that kept much original fabric until its 1930s renovation. It is also tied to owners important in county political, economic and religious life, especially Martin Dawson, a Rivanna Navigation Company president and a major benefactor of public education and the University of Virginia.
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 92001372, listed October 15, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Cty. Rt. 708 S side, 3.8 mi. E of jct. with VA 20, Charlottesville |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | October 15, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001372 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1794-1934 |
| Architect / builder | Wells, Marshall S. (1930s renovations) |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal; Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | All buildings are described as being in an excellent state of preservation; the property is in use as a single dwelling with secondary structures. |
| Acreage | 250 |
| Within district | Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.88329, -78.52270 (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 92001372.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4883424
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.