Reed, Walter, Birthplace (Boundary Increase and Additional Documentation)
Also known as: Vdhr 036-0080
Why it's listed
Near the tiny settlement of Belroi in Gloucester County, Virginia, a modest one-story frame cottage marks the birthplace of Dr. Walter Reed, the physician who showed that mosquitoes carry yellow fever. His father, a Methodist minister on the Gloucester Circuit, brought the family to the house in the early 1850s because the parsonage was not yet finished. The three-bay house has white weatherboarding, a gable roof, six-over-six sash windows and short brick piers, with a shed addition at the rear. Restoration by the Medical Society of Virginia in 1927 removed a later side room and returned the chimney to its original exterior position using brick from a nearby house. The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities received the property in 1968 and re-roofed it in 1970. Beyond its Reed connection, the cottage represents the small rural dwellings that were once common in Tidewater Virginia but have nearly vanished.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Dr. Walter Reed, who proved that mosquitoes transmit yellow fever, and was born there in 1851 while his father served as a Methodist minister. It is also argued to represent the small vernacular rural dwelling once common in Tidewater Virginia, a type that has largely disappeared.
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). NRHP reference 15000906, listed December 15, 2015. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4021 Hickory Fork Rd., Gloucester |
|---|---|
| County | Gloucester County |
| Listed | December 15, 2015 |
| Reference number | 15000906 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architectural style | Early nineteenth-century small vernacular rural dwelling (Tidewater Virginia) |
| Areas of significance | Health/Medicine, Architecture, Commerce, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Conservation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and restored in 1927 and 1970; owned by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and listed as occupied. |
| Acreage | 9.6 |
| Coordinates | 37.38846, -76.58819 (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 15000906.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713492
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.