Haw Branch
Why it's listed
Haw Branch is a large frame plantation house reached by a country road winding through woods near Amelia, Virginia. Its central five-bay block with a hipped roof is flanked by symmetrical three-bay wings, set over an English basement and surrounded by a brick-paved, dug-out area. The house largely dates from the late eighteenth century and is believed to include parts of an earlier, smaller dwelling. Inside, finely detailed woodwork, thought to date from about 1815, includes elliptical hall arches, tobacco and oak leaf motifs, and hawthorne blossom carvings on mantels and doorways. Part of an original row of outbuildings survives, including a schoolhouse, kitchen and weaving room, and smoke house. Colonel Thomas Tabb bought the land in 1743, and the property later passed through the Barksdale and Mason families before an English owner ran it as an experimental farm from 1872. It was restored in 1965. Its Federal interiors and family associations make it distinctive in Amelia County.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the most significant Federal building in Amelia County, chiefly for its finely detailed Federal interiors, formal plan and handsome exterior. It is also tied to the prominent Tabb and Mason families, including John Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy, and to visits by John Randolph of Roanoke.
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 73001992, listed April 2, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Amelia off VA 667, Amelia |
|---|---|
| County | Amelia County |
| Listed | April 2, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001992 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th and 19th centuries |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, altered, on its original site, occupied and used as a private residence; restored in 1965. |
| Acreage | 98 |
| Coordinates | 37.41052, -78.02233 (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 73001992.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712509
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.