Hockley
Also known as: Erin; Cowslip Green
Why it's listed
Hockley is a two-and-a-half-story frame country house on 41 acres along the north bank of the Ware River on Ware Neck, Gloucester County, Virginia. Alexander Galt Taliaferro built the core by 1840, and Charles Godfrey expanded it before 1857. Around 1906 Richard and Fannie Taliaferro raised the second story and added two octagonal towers flanking the south façade, creating the look the house keeps today. A screened porch, hand-made brick foundations, and surviving timber framing mark the different building phases. The grounds hold a garage, chicken sheds, a barn, a well, a pump house, an ice house, and an archaeological site. The estate is listed for its architecture and for its people. Lt. General William H. Tunner, who planned and commanded major airlift operations, spent the end of his military career and his retirement here. Fannie Taliaferro worked to preserve local cemeteries, and Dr. Laban Lacy Rice, a writer and educator, also lived here.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property is significant at the national level because it is the most intact and longest-associated property connected with Lt. General William H. Tunner, a leader of large-scale military airlift operations. It is also an important example of a mid-nineteenth to early twentieth-century country estate that housed many prominent people, including Fannie Taliaferro, a local preservation advocate, and Dr. Laban Lacy Rice, an author and educator.
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 10000446, listed July 9, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 6640 Ware Neck Rd, Gloucester |
|---|---|
| County | Gloucester County |
| Listed | July 9, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000446 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Alexander Galt Taliaferro (original construction by 1840); Charles Godfrey (additions before 1857); Richard P. and Fannie J. Taliaferro (enlargement c. 1906) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian; Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Conservation, Historic - Non-Aboriginal |
| Level of significance | National, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single dwelling with secondary structures; recent renovations included foundation stabilization, structural repairs, new wiring, and an updated kitchen and bathrooms. |
| Acreage | 41.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.40028, -76.46460 (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 10000446.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712547
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.