Mount Airy
Also known as: DHR File #09-221
Why it's listed
Mount Airy is a two-story frame house near Leesville in Bedford County, Virginia, built in the late eighteenth century, probably between 1797 and 1800, by Colonel Thomas Leftwich. It follows a hall-parlor plan, a layout already falling out of favor for houses of its size. Its modillion cornice and the paneled hall are unusually elaborate compared with the simpler woodwork elsewhere. Originally a one-story wing projected from the front, as at two other Leftwich family houses in the county; it was removed about 1955. Around 1910-1912 later owners added a gambrel-roofed rear wing and other additions. Leftwich served as a militia officer in the Revolutionary War, sat in the House of Delegates in 1788 and 1789, and held posts as county justice and sheriff. The house was recognized for this association and for its Federal-style woodwork, at a time when most local houses were smaller vernacular buildings. A smokehouse and family cemetery with Leftwich graves are also part of the property.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion B for its builder, Colonel Thomas Leftwich, a Revolutionary War militia officer, member of the House of Delegates, county justice and sheriff. Under Criterion C, it is an early two-story hall-parlor house in a county of mostly story-and-a-half houses, with notable Federal woodwork and a modillion cornice. It is also one of three similar Leftwich houses with a projecting front wing.
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 90001823, listed December 19, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of VA 630 and VA 631, Leesville |
|---|---|
| County | Bedford (city and county) |
| Listed | December 19, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001823 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1797-1823 |
| Architect / builder | Leftwich, Colonel Thomas (builder); architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as vacant, not in use; the side porch is described as in poor condition. |
| Acreage | 22.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.10515, -79.41677 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 90001823.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712902
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.