Castle Hill
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Why it's listed
Castle Hill, near Cismont in Albemarle County, is a plantation residence formed by two houses joined back to back by a connecting hall. The older part is a story-and-a-half frame house built in 1764 by Dr. Thomas Walker, a physician, surveyor and early explorer of the west. Its parlor paneling, with fluted Doric pilasters, is described as one of the handsomest of its type in Virginia. Around 1825 William Cabell Rives added a five-bay, two-story Flemish bond brick house with a Tuscan portico, one-story wings and an elliptical stair. The grounds include an hourglass-shaped lawn bordered by notable boxwood and a bowling green flanked by eighteenth and early-nineteenth century outbuildings. The property is linked to Jack Jouett's 1781 stop on his ride to warn Thomas Jefferson of Tarleton's approach, and to visitors including Washington, Madison and Jackson. Later it was home to the novelist Amelie Rives and her husband, Prince Pierre Troubetzkoy. It was restored after 1947.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Few Virginia plantations offer as many historical associations as Castle Hill. The double house, its boxwood-lined lawn and its set of eighteenth and early-nineteenth century outbuildings are architecturally notable. The property is also tied to Dr. Thomas Walker, Jack Jouett's 1781 warning ride, the diplomat and senator William Cabell Rives, and the authors Judith Page Walker Rives and Amelie Rives.
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 72001379, listed February 23, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Cismont near jct. of VA 231 and 640, Cismont |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | February 23, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001379 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Dr. Thomas Walker (frame section, 1764); William Cabell Rives (brick section, c. 1825) |
| Architectural style | Colonial farm dwelling (frame section) and Piedmont plantation house with classical revival trim (brick section) |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Military, Literature, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Philosophy, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and unaltered on its original site; in use as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 1183 |
| Within district | Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.08952, -78.30328 (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 72001379.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712138
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.