Upper Weyanoke
Why it's listed
Upper Weyanoke is a James River estate in Charles City County, Virginia, where two brick houses stand about 100 yards apart. The older is a 1½-story Flemish-bond cottage from the early 19th century, probably built by John Minge, with a hall-and-parlor plan and later additions. Excavations show it was originally one of a pair. The second is a two-story Greek Revival house of 1858-59, built after fires destroyed earlier Minge buildings, with a stepped parapet wall and an open-well stair. A Victorian-style garden path runs toward the river. The land was first patented in 1618 by Sir George Yeardley. Archaeological testing in 1980 found a brick foundation near the cottage and three field sites with artifacts from about 1690 to 1790. The property was listed for its architecture, its garden, and its potential to show three centuries of plantation life on the James River.
Significance in brief: The estate has been occupied since the mid-17th century and is one of the James River's oldest. Archaeological work shows nearly continuous settlement from the late 17th to the late 19th century. The cottage is a vernacular example showing the shift from colonial to later building methods, and the later house reflects a change in architectural taste. A 19th-century garden and the archaeological sites add to its research value.
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 80004441, listed December 9, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S. of Charles City on VA 619, Charles City |
|---|---|
| County | Charles City County |
| Listed | December 9, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004441 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | early 19th century; 1858-9 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (1858-59 house); vernacular early 19th-century cottage with Federal-style details |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Literature, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and unoccupied, used as a private residence and for agriculture; the cottage received additions around 1954 and a renovation in 1930-33. |
| Acreage | 110 |
| Coordinates | 37.29786, -77.07305 (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 80004441.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16902391
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.