Blandfield
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Why it's listed
Blandfield is a large brick plantation mansion near Caret in Essex County, Virginia, and the largest of a group of mid-Georgian houses along the lower Rappahannock River. It was probably built around 1750 for William Beverley and named for his wife, Elizabeth Bland. The brick is laid in Flemish bond, and the two-story central block is flanked by two-story dependencies joined by one-story hyphens. Pedimented central pavilions face both the land and river sides, and the gauged brick arches over the windows are said to have the widest splay in Virginia. Its twin stair halls and generous rooms give it an unusual plan. The original interior woodwork was lost in an 1844 remodeling, and the house was altered again in 1848, though the original kitchen survives in one dependency. It belongs to a group of Tidewater mansions, including Mount Airy and Menokin, that echo Palladian design, and the Beverley family still owns it.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Blandfield as one of the largest colonial plantation mansions in Virginia and part of an important group of mid-Georgian Tidewater houses that echo Palladian design. Its plan, with twin stair halls and spacious rooms, is described as ample and unusual. It is also noted for the wide splay of its gauged brick window arches and its long ownership by the Beverley family.
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 69000238, listed November 12, 1969. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of jct. of Rtes. 624 and U.S. 17, Caret |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | November 12, 1969 |
| Reference number | 69000238 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Architectural style | Mid-Georgian plantation mansion (Palladian-influenced Tidewater group) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, altered, occupied as a private residence and still owned by the Beverley family. |
| Acreage | 3500 |
| Within district | Occupacia-Rappahannock Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.99292, -76.94504 (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 69000238.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712037
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.