Bellevue
Also known as: DHR File No. 02-847; Wavertree Hall Farm
Why it's listed
Set on a rise on the south side of Route 692 in western Albemarle County, this 145-acre farm is anchored by a two-story, hip-roofed brick house built around 1859. It has a pedimented two-story portico, bracketed Italianate eaves and Greek Revival woodwork and mantels that are largely original. Quincy Adams Shaw bought the farm in 1913 and added brick side wings and a dining room wing with Adam-style mantels. He also built an underground stone room. After 1921 Colonel Herman Danforth Newcomb added a rear wing, formal boxwood gardens and most of the farm buildings, making the farm a well-known horse and cattle estate. The property includes a log slave house, tenant houses, stables and barns. It was listed for its architecture, which shows the house growing in stages over about seventy years, and its period of significance ends in 1926, when Newcomb's building program and horse operations were established.
Significance in brief: The 1859 core of the house is argued to be a well-preserved example of Greek Revival architecture with Italianate features. The additions made around 1913 and in the 1920s, along with the gardens and farm buildings, show how wealthy outside owners reshaped the Greenwood area. The property is rated significant at the local level under architecture.
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 91000886, listed July 9, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S side VA 692, 3500 ft. W of jct. with VA 637, Batesville |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | July 9, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000886 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1859-1926 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival; Late Victorian: Italianate; Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is in good condition and the outbuildings range from good to deteriorated. The gardens are under restoration and the farm is used as an equestrian center. |
| Acreage | 145.3 |
| Coordinates | 38.01109, -78.74859 (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 91000886.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712014
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.