Mountain Grove
Why it's listed
Mountain Grove is a brick house on Green Mountain, northwest of Esmont in Albemarle County, built in 1803-1804 by Benjamin Harris. Its tripartite form places a two-story, three-bay center block, treated like a classical temple front with a pedimented gable and bull's-eye window, between single-bay, 1½-story wings. Walls are laid in three-course American bond above a rubble stone basement, and heavy modillion cornices show Jeffersonian influence. Inside, doors and wainscot are painted and grained to imitate mahogany, and the parlor mantel and overmantel, marbleized and decorated by an unknown folk artist, are the most notable features. The design relates to other Palladian houses in the region that drew on English pattern books, including Robert Morris's Select Architecture. Harris was a wealthy Albemarle figure who served as militia captain, magistrate and sheriff, and he chose the newer three-part plan over the Georgian arrangement. The house stayed in the Harris family until 1931. A shed, a barn and the ruins of a kitchen lie nearby.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an outstanding example of a Federal-style Virginia Palladian house, related to other tripartite houses derived from English pattern books such as Robert Morris's Select Architecture, and strongly Jeffersonian in design. Its painted and grained woodwork, and especially the parlor mantel and overmantel by an unknown folk artist, set it apart. It also reflects the sophistication of its builder, a wealthy and prominent county figure.
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 80004164, listed September 8, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Esmont on VA 717, Esmont |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | September 8, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004164 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1803-1804 |
| Architect / builder | Benjamin Harris (builder); architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Federal style, Palladian plan (tripartite Virginia Palladian house) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; described as in excellent condition and largely unaltered at listing. A 2005 survey noted it was being restored and that a modern recessed wing had been added. |
| Acreage | 19 |
| Within district | Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.83569, -78.64374 (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 80004164.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712921
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.