Walker House
Also known as: DHR File # 02-197
Why it's listed
Built between 1803 and 1805 in the former river port of Warren, this one-story brick house sits on a high English basement and is topped by a hipped roof. Merchant William Walker commissioned it, and his brother James Walker, who worked for Thomas Jefferson as a millwright and carpenter, oversaw construction. A pedimented portico with brick piers marks the south front, and the interior centers on a hall flanked by two bedrooms, with a full-width salon at the north end. Much original woodwork survives, including six mantels, chair rails and trim. Nineteenth-century porches and additions were later removed, and a small brick service wing was added in 1978. Although no evidence ties Jefferson to the design, the house reflects his influence and Palladian ideas, and it is considered one of the purest small-scale examples of Jeffersonian residential design in Albemarle County. It remains a private home.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be a well-preserved example of Jeffersonian residential architecture in southern Albemarle County. It was built by James Walker, a millwright and carpenter employed by Thomas Jefferson, and shows strong Jeffersonian and Palladian influence in its plan and massing. No proof links Jefferson to the design, but of similar Albemarle houses it is the least altered.
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 90002001, listed December 28, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 627 S of jct. with VA 726, Warren |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | December 28, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90002001 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1803-1805 |
| Architect / builder | Walker, James |
| Architectural style | Early Republic - Early Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single dwelling; the form describes both interior and exterior as in excellent condition, restored to early-nineteenth-century appearance. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Within district | Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.77089, -78.55908 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 90002001.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713487
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.