Morea
Why it's listed
Morea is a brick house of two and a half stories, completed in 1835 about a quarter mile northwest of Jefferson's university grounds in Charlottesville. Its first owner, John Patten Emmet, the university's first professor of natural history and a noted inventor, designed it himself. The house follows regional Virginia building habits but adds unusual features: a recessed second-story veranda with a Chinese trellis railing, a three-arched structural arcade in the front room, and a semi-detached office wing. Its detailing echoes Jefferson's university buildings, including Roman Doric columns and architrave trim. Emmet used the original farm for experiments in silk making, horticulture and wine making, and the property takes its name from the Chinese mulberry. The university acquired the house in 1960 for visiting professors, scholars and artists, and the Albemarle Garden Club has kept the grounds as a botanical garden since 1962. Later additions are placed to the rear and one side and leave the original block largely intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Morea as the only surviving dwelling built by one of the university's original Jefferson-approved faculty members. Its design is inventive yet unpretentious, combining traditional Virginia forms with Classical details popularized by Jefferson. Unusual features include a recessed second-story veranda, an interior structural arcade and a semi-detached office wing. It also reflects Emmet's work as a scientist and inventor.
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 84003522, listed May 3, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 209-211 Sprigg Lane, Charlottesville (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Charlottesville |
| Listed | May 3, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003522 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1835 |
| Architect / builder | Designed by John Patten Emmet; actual builder not known |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Education, Science, Architecture, Invention |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the University of Virginia since 1960; the grounds have been maintained as a botanical garden by the Albemarle Garden Club since 1962. The form lists the property as occupied, in excellent condition, and used as a private residence and for educational purposes. |
| Acreage | 2.6 |
| Coordinates | 38.03962, -78.50848 (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 84003522.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15256184
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.