Fairfield
Why it's listed
Fairfield is a large stone mansion and farm complex near Berryville in Clarke County, Virginia. Warner Washington, a first cousin of George Washington, acquired about 1600 acres around the time of his 1765 marriage to Hannah Fairfax and built the house, probably finished by 1770. The central block is two and a half stories with a hipped roof and walls of irregular native limestone ashlar, flanked by one-story wings. Its plan and stairhall closely resemble Kenmore, though it lacks Kenmore's rich plasterwork, and the surviving woodwork and paneling are of fine quality. Old outbuildings include a large barn and an enlarged overseer's house, and the gardens hold English boxwood, some possibly from the eighteenth century. George Washington visited his cousin here many times, as his diaries show. Fairfield ranks among the most impressive stone colonial mansions in northern Virginia, and its link to the first President adds to its importance.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Fairfield as one of the largest and most impressive stone colonial mansions in northern Virginia. Its plan and stairhall closely parallel Kenmore and other Tidewater houses. Its significance is also tied to Warner Washington, a first cousin of George Washington, who visited the house often.
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). NRHP reference 70000787, listed February 26, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of jct. of Rtes. 340 and 610, Berryville |
|---|---|
| County | Clarke County |
| Listed | February 26, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000787 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Architect / builder | Warner Washington (builder); architect John Arris suggested as a possible influence |
| Architectural style | Colonial; stone mansion related to Tidewater Virginia houses such as Kenmore |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in good condition, unaltered, on its original site, and occupied as a private residence; later highway work on Route 340 was agreed to include replacement of screening plantings. |
| Acreage | 560 |
| Coordinates | 39.18489, -77.93526 (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 70000787.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5430231
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.