Clifton
Also known as: DHL File 02-155
Why it's listed
Clifton is a rambling two-story shingled house on a wooded bluff above the Rivanna River in eastern Albemarle County, Virginia. Its core is a five-room farmstead built in the early 1800s by Thomas Mann Randolph, a Governor of Virginia, congressman and son-in-law of Thomas Jefferson. Randolph planned the river port of North Milton here, opposite the thriving town of Milton, but the town never developed. The house is the only remaining evidence of that effort. Randolph used it as a workplace and, after losing his Edgehill farm to debt, as a refuge until his death in 1828. Later owners added wings in the 1830s and 1840s. In the 1920s a major Colonial Revival renovation raised the house to twenty-three rooms, added porches and a terrace, and kept the original Federal-style interior largely intact. The property also has a brick office, a ruined springhouse, an ice well, a chicken coop and a garage.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Clifton was built and used by Thomas Mann Randolph, a Governor of Virginia, congressman and son-in-law of Thomas Jefferson. It is the only surviving building of Randolph's planned river port of North Milton, which was meant to compete with Milton across the river. It is also a fine example of early 20th-century Colonial Revival domestic architecture built around an intact Federal-style core.
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 89001922, listed November 2, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | VA 729 at Rivanna River, Shadwell |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | November 2, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001922 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1828 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built and used by Thomas Mann Randolph; the 20th-century renovation architect was not identified) |
| Architectural style | Federal; Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in the form as a former single dwelling, now used as an inn. The main house and outbuildings are described as in good condition, while the springhouse is a ruin. |
| Acreage | 739 |
| Within district | Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.00703, -78.39719 (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 89001922.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712185
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.