Longwood
Also known as: Vdhr #02-380
Why it's listed
Longwood is a 183-acre farm in Earlysville, in northern Albemarle County, Virginia. Its main house was built in sections: a two-story, five-bay frame core from the late 18th century, then wings added around 1810 to 1820, and a few further changes in the 1940s. The west wing served as a store and post office under James Michie Jr., who was appointed postmaster in 1827 and held the post until 1845. The Michie family settled in the area in the 1740s and also ran a tavern and gristmill nearby. Inside, the older rooms keep wide pine floors, reeded mantels and a three-run open stair. Other historic features include a barn from about 1890, a frame school built around 1900 and known as Colored School #8, a stone well and the Michie family cemetery. Few store-residences of this age survive in the county, and Longwood is well preserved, which supported its listing for architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Longwood is significant under Criterion C as a well-preserved late-18th/early-19th-century house with fine Federal interior woodwork. Part of it operated as a store and post office in the first half of the 19th century, and it is one of only two such buildings of this age in northern Albemarle County. It is also tied to the Michie family, long prominent in the economic and political life of the Earlysville area.
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 96001074, listed October 18, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N side of VA 665, jct. with VA 663 and VA 664, Earlysville |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | October 18, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001074 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Late 18th century-1942 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal; 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic resources are described as in fair to excellent condition, with the main house retaining much of its exterior appearance and interior woodwork. The house is a single dwelling and the school is used as a farm office. |
| Acreage | 183 |
| Coordinates | 38.18351, -78.49929 (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 96001074.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712743
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.