Tinsley Tavern
Also known as: Tinsleyville Tavern; VDHR File No.:037-0032
Why it's listed
Tinsley Tavern is a two-story, three-bay frame house built around 1802 beside the old Charlottesville to Richmond stage road in Goochland County, Virginia. Its weatherboard walls rest on a solid brick foundation, and a one-and-one-half story kitchen addition was added about 1920. Inside, the center-passage plan survives, along with heart pine floors, wainscoting with historic paint, original doors, and Federal mantels with fluted pilasters and dentils. In the early 1800s herds of cattle and sheep moved along this road, and the building's size and form suggest it served as both a dwelling and a tavern for travelers and drovers. John Tinsley bought the land in 1802, and after his death in 1815 his widow, Ann, obtained licenses to keep an ordinary and later a house of private entertainment, operating the tavern until 1836. The property is significant for its role in regional transportation and commerce and as an example of Federal-period architecture. It is currently vacant but structurally stable.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues for Criterion A through the building's link to the movement of livestock and travelers along the Charlottesville to Richmond stage road and their lodging at a drover's inn. It also qualifies under Criterion C for Federal-period features such as the side-gabled roof, end chimneys and mantelpieces. The tavern was run by John Tinsley's widow, Ann, until her death in 1836.
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 07000276, listed April 4, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2791 Elk Island Rd., Columbia |
|---|---|
| County | Goochland County |
| Listed | April 4, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000276 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1802 - 1920 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is in fair condition and structurally stable, with a recently repaired roof; its current function is listed as vacant, not in use. |
| Acreage | 11 |
| Coordinates | 37.76291, -78.09905 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 07000276.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16901720
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.