Chimneys, The
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Why it's listed
Two massive brick end chimneys give The Chimneys its name. The house, at 623 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg, is a two-story, hipped-roof building of about 50 by 34 feet on a stone basement. It was probably built by John Glassell, a Scottish merchant, soon after he bought the lot in 1771, and it stood at its present size by 1796. Glassell returned to Scotland at the start of the Revolution and may have left the interiors unfinished, which could explain differences in the woodwork and signs that it was built in two stages. Inside, the southwest room has raised-panel wainscoting, Wall-of-Troy fretwork, latticework window heads and a garlanded overmantel, likely by the craftsman who decorated Federal Hill. Terraced garden remnants run toward the Rappahannock River. The house is valued as a Georgian example and as the visual end of the Caroline Street group of early buildings. It is now used for offices.
Significance in brief: The house is an important example of the city's Georgian architecture and visually terminates the group of early buildings along the Caroline Street business district. It has exceptional interior woodwork, especially in the southwest room, probably by the same unknown craftsman who decorated Federal Hill. Its two enormous chimney stacks give it its name.
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 75002109, listed April 3, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 623 Caroline St., Fredericksburg (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Fredericksburg |
| Listed | April 3, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75002109 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Architect / builder | Probably built by John Glassell (1771) |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good and altered, on its original site; used as offices for charitable agencies. The setting is protected by an open-space easement granted in March 1974. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.30055, -77.45744 (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 75002109.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713295
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.