Homespun
Also known as: Bell House; DHR File no. 34-180
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Why it's listed
Homespun is a long, narrow farmhouse on one acre along Cedar Creek Grade, on the line between Frederick County and Winchester, Virginia. The oldest part, built in the mid-1790s, has two log pens separated by an open breezeway, a dogtrot plan found in only a few buildings in this area and more usual in the lower Midwest and South. The breezeway was later enclosed to form a central passage, and in the early 19th century a two-story stone and brick addition with a kitchen was built at the east end. A continuous roof ridge unites the sections. A stone smokehouse stands to the rear and appears on an 1858 survey. The house was built under Godfrey Miller's ownership and later passed to the Miller and Bell families. The property is a remnant of a 466-acre farm within the Second Kernstown Battlefield. It was listed for its architecture, representing a rare regional example of its plan type and its two construction periods, ca. 1795 to ca. 1825.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion C for architecture, as one of only a few known dogtrot-plan buildings in the Winchester-Frederick County area, a plan more typical of the lower Midwest and South. It shows two building campaigns, the later enclosing the breezeway and adding a kitchen wing. The lot is a remnant of a 466-acre farm within the Second Kernstown Battlefield.
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 02001671, listed December 31, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 949 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Frederick County |
| Listed | December 31, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001671 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1795 to ca. 1825 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic; Other: Dogtrot plan |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as work in progress, commercial. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.16543, -78.19311 (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 02001671.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712567
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.