Pitts-Inge
Why it's listed
Built around 1820 by Johnson W. Pitts, son-in-law of landowner Joseph Bishop, this two-story brick building at 331-333 W. Main Street in Charlottesville began as a dwelling on the old Three-Notched Road leading toward the University. The facade is laid in Flemish bond, while the sides and rear use common bond. Stepped gables, a mousetooth cornice and a slender buttressed chimney at the east end mark it as Federal in style. Large glass storefront areas added in the nineteenth century have obscured the original window arrangement, and a smoke house adjoins the main structure. From 1840 to 1842 the house served as a Methodist parsonage. In 1890 George P. Inge, a very successful black businessman, bought it; Booker T. Washington, his college classmate, was a frequent guest. It is regarded as the oldest surviving building on West Main Street and a fine example of Federal architecture, and it is still used as a store.
Significance in brief: It is described as a fine example of the Federal style, with stepped gables and a mousetooth cornice. It is the oldest surviving building on West Main Street, the old Three-Notched Road. It is also associated with George P. Inge, a successful black businessman who bought it in 1890 and hosted his college classmate Booker T. Washington.
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 82001812, listed October 21, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 331-333 W. Main St., Charlottesville (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Charlottesville |
| Listed | October 21, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001812 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Johnson W. Pitts (builder, c. 1820) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use listed as a store; condition rated average. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | West Main Street Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.03077, -78.48646 (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 82001812.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16898507
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.