Limestone
Also known as: VDHR File No. 002-0090; Limestone Plantation; VDHR Arch. Site No. 44AB488; Jefferson's Limestone Kiln
Why it's listed
Limestone is a 338-acre farm east of Shadwell, on rolling hills north of the Rivanna River along Limestone Creek in Albemarle County. It holds two historic houses, a corncrib, a garage, a cemetery, a lime kiln and a piece of the old Three Notched Road. The small Robert Sharp House, built in 1794, has a high brick basement, a frame upper floor and mortise-and-tenon joinery. The main house took its present form around 1840, when a two-story central section with a six-column portico joined two earlier wings, one of which was moved to the site. Colonial Revival detailing was added in the 1920s. The property's story begins with Robert Sharp Senior, who settled the land in the early 1760s and established a limestone quarry and kiln. He sold the kiln to Thomas Jefferson in 1771. The farm also lay beside the road that carried westward migration and trade between Richmond and Staunton.
Significance in brief: The property is tied to Robert Sharp Senior, who established a limestone quarry and kiln in the 1760s and sold the kiln to Thomas Jefferson in 1771. It also includes a surviving section of the Three Chopt (Three Notched) Road, the main route between Richmond and Staunton. Its buildings show Colonial and Greek Revival-era construction and later alterations.
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 06000366, listed May 10, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4401 Limestone Rd., Keswick |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | May 10, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000366 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Robert Sharp Senior (kiln and original settlement) |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Southern Colonial (Robert Sharp House); Mid 19th Century, Greek Revival (Limestone House) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single dwelling with secondary structures and a cemetery; the property is privately owned. |
| Acreage | 338 |
| Coordinates | 37.98650, -78.36006 (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 06000366.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712705
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.