Williamsville
Also known as: DHL File #42-27
Why it's listed
Williamsville is a brick plantation house near Studley in Hanover County, Virginia, built between 1794 and 1803 for George William Pollard, longtime clerk of the county. It is a formal two-story house with a five-bay front, Flemish bond brickwork, a modillioned cornice, and a three-bay porch with a balustrade. Inside, the stair hall has carved brackets and paneled cheek walls, and the principal rooms have dentil cornices and Adamesque mantels. Receipts identify Benjamin Ellett as builder and John Haw as overseer. The house is regarded as the best preserved Federal-style house in the county, and its interior went unaltered for a long period. Its position on the highest ground in the area also made it a choice site for military operations in 1862 and 1864, when Generals Grant, Hooker and Meade used it as headquarters. The nominated fifteen acres include the house, a modern garage and the Pollard family burial ground.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the best preserved Federal-style house in Hanover County, with elegant interior millwork that stayed unaltered for a long time. It also served as headquarters for Generals Grant, Hooker and Meade during the Civil War battles around Richmond because of its commanding elevation.
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 85002915, listed November 18, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off VA 615, Studley |
|---|---|
| County | Hanover County |
| Listed | November 18, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002915 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1794-1803 |
| Architect / builder | Benjamin Ellett (builder); John Haw (overseer) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and unaltered, on its original site, and occupied; the house has been repaired preserving its original materials. |
| Acreage | 15 |
| Coordinates | 37.69702, -77.30708 (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 85002915.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713541
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.