High Meadows
Also known as: Peter White House
Why it's listed
High Meadows is a house on a small hill just north of Scottsville, Albemarle County, built in two stages. Peter White built the original one-and-one-half-story brick dwelling between 1831 and 1832. In 1883 Charles B. Harris, a merchant's son, added a two-story stuccoed brick section that more than tripled the size of the house. A single-story frame passage runs between the two parts along their full length, and the survey of the county found no other example of this type and period. The older section also contains a ridgeboard, a construction detail rarely seen in Virginia houses before the mid 1840s. Inside the 1883 section, woodwork was grained to imitate mahogany and quartered oak, and most of it survives in excellent condition. The older plan was altered to match the symmetrical layout of the addition. The house reflects the mercantile society around Scottsville, a trading point on the James River and Kanawha Canal and the Staunton and James River Turnpike.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the longitudinal frame passage joining the 1832 and 1883 sections is the only known example of its type and period in Albemarle County. It also cites a ridgeboard in the 1832 section, a feature rarely seen in Virginia houses before the mid 1840s. The 1883 section retains nearly all of its grained woodwork in excellent condition.
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 86001185, listed May 30, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off VA 20, Scottsville |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | May 30, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001185 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1832 & 1883 |
| Architect / builder | Peter White |
| Architectural style | Italianate (per 2008 survey update); early section described as late Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | At the time of nomination the house was being restored and renovated as a bed and breakfast inn; condition listed as excellent to good. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Within district | Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.80946, -78.49875 (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 86001185.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712534
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.