Holland-Duncan House
Also known as: VDHR site no. 033-0046
Why it's listed
Built in the 1830s for plantation owner Asa Holland, this two-story brick house sits along Highway 122 at Hale's Ford in Franklin County, Virginia, now surrounded by modern commercial development near Smith Mountain Lake. It has a five-bay front, Flemish-bond brickwork, gauged jack arches, stepped-shoulder chimneys and a frame kitchen and dining ell added in stages. Inside, delicate Federal-style mantels and trim survive, along with a boxed winder stair. A small frame building in the front yard is thought to have been the Hale's Ford post office, where Holland served as postmaster before and during the Civil War; Confederate postal records were found in its attic. His daughter Sallie married her tutor, William E. Duncan, and the couple ran private academies for boarding students in the community. The grounds also hold a log meathouse, a relocated family cemetery and a privy. The property was listed for its architecture, its postal history and its place in local education.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the house's Federal-style interior and brickwork as good architecture. It links the property to Asa Holland, who served as Hale's Ford postmaster before and during the Civil War. It also ties the house to William Erastus Duncan, who with his wife Sallie ran private academies at Hale's Ford.
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 00000026, listed January 28, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 13508 Booker T. Washington Hwy, Moneta |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin (city and county) |
| Listed | January 28, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000026 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Ca. 1830-1920 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Federal; Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Politics/Government, Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single dwelling and bed and breakfast, with guest cabins on the grounds; the nomination reports a high degree of architectural integrity. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 37.12052, -79.71126 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 00000026.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712556
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.