Mansfield
Why it's listed
Mansfield is a large frame plantation house in Dinwiddie County, west of Petersburg and south of the Upper Appomattox Canal, reached by a long lane lined with old cedars. The earliest section, a long five-bay, story-and-a-half block with a hipped roof and pedimented dormers, probably dates to the first half of the eighteenth century. A two-story ell, joined by a hyphen containing an open-string stair, was added around the middle of the century and holds a first-floor ballroom described as the largest of its kind in the county. Interiors show raised paneling, fluted pilasters, and Federal mantels added in the early nineteenth century. Roger Atkinson acquired land here in 1757 and 1760 and probably expanded the house. The Atkinson family held it into the 1830s, and later owners included Hugh A. Garland, who kept a girls' school there. A 1905 remodeling added flooring, doors, chandeliers, and a bell system. The nomination values the house for its interiors, unusual form, and neighborhood setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites Mansfield's fine interiors, unusual form, and setting among other notable plantation houses. It is also one of a group of large houses associated with Roger Atkinson (1725-1784), a prominent pre-Revolutionary planter. The Georgian-style house retains elaborate paneling and later Federal mantels.
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 76002103, listed May 28, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W of Petersburg on VA 601, Petersburg |
|---|---|
| County | Dinwiddie County |
| Listed | May 28, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76002103 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently purchased by new owners who intend to renovate it; the form lists it as private and unoccupied, with a private residence use. |
| Acreage | 75 |
| Coordinates | 37.22047, -77.48865 (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 76002103.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712776
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.