Elmwood
Also known as: Dhl 23-44
Why it's listed
Elmwood is a cattle farm of 800 acres on U.S. Route 522, about ten miles northwest of Culpeper, Virginia. Its main house, built between 1870 and 1874, is a three-story brick Italianate residence with a central hall plan, a raised basement, bracketed porches reached by full-story exterior staircases, and decorative raised and painted brick. William H. Browning, a large landowner and local businessman, began the house about 1870, using brick, hardware and wooden fixtures made on the farm. He died in 1874, and his will provided for its completion. Local artist Joseph Oddenino then painted murals in the hall, stairway and living room, with classical columns, friezes, medallions and floral designs. These murals have never been retouched. The property also includes a two-story frame kitchen and a frame smokehouse. The land was part of a 1731 grant to John Nalle, and an earlier house from 1788 stood here. Browning's descendants have owned the farm since 1836.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the fine, original brickwork of the exterior and the well-preserved interior murals by local artist Joseph Oddenino, some of his few surviving works. The house is described as a fine example of Italianate architecture for the Culpeper area. The farm has stayed in the Browning family's heirs and is little changed from its 19th-century appearance.
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 86000075, listed January 16, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | US 522 W, Culpeper |
|---|---|
| County | Culpeper County |
| Listed | January 16, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86000075 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1870-74 |
| Architect / builder | Builder/Architect listed as Unknown; house built by William H. Browning, with materials made on the farm and woodwork by farm carpenter Mr. Carter |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence on a working cattle farm; the main house is described as largely unaltered, with indoor plumbing and electricity added. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 38.54566, -78.11699 (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 86000075.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712285
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.