Westover
Why it's listed
Westover is a brick Georgian mansion on the James River in Charles City County, Virginia, set on one of the earliest Virginia plantations, first occupied in 1619. William Byrd II built the present house between 1730 and 1734. It has a two-story central section on a high basement with two attached wings; the eastern wing replaced the original, destroyed in the Civil War. Features include Portland stone doorways on both main facades, a steeply pitched hip roof, an off-center main hall and an interior with full-length paneling and enriched plaster ceilings. The grounds hold three wrought iron gates, formal gardens containing Byrd's grave, the site of the first Westover church, an old ice house and the original kitchen, which may predate the house. Byrd owned the largest library in the colonies, wrote the History of the Dividing Line, and expanded his inheritance to some 180,000 acres. The nomination values the estate for its architecture and for its connection to him.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls Westover a superb example of early Georgian architecture and possibly the most famous Georgian house in America. It was also the home of William Byrd II, a colonial planter, writer, politician and founder of Virginia gentry society. The house is noted for the quality of its workmanship and its architectural completeness.
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 66000923, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7 mi. W of Charles City on VA 5, Charles City |
|---|---|
| County | Charles City County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000923 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1730-1744 |
| Architect / builder | William Byrd II (builder/owner) |
| Architectural style | Georgian (early Georgian) |
| Areas of significance | Literature, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated October 9, 1960 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and unaltered. Occupied as a private residence; grounds open to the public, interior of main house not open. Mansion group restored about 1920. |
| Acreage | 1025 |
| Coordinates | 37.31976, -77.15372 (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 66000923.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2310858
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.