Stone, R.L., House
Also known as: Vdhr# 044-5174; Ithica
Why it's listed
Set on a hillside above Fairystone Park Highway and the Smith River in Bassett, Virginia, this two-story brick house was built between about 1930 and 1938 for Reed Lewis Stone and his wife, Nancy Susan "Dink" Stone. Stone was one of four founders of Bassett Furniture Company and the leading builder in town, though the architect and builder of his home are not known. The house shows Classical Revival design through its full-height pedimented entry porch with slender columns, its slate hipped roof, Flemish bond brick walls, and a curving stair in the entry hall. Most interior woodwork, flooring, bathroom fixtures and mantels survive. Original outbuildings include a garage, workshop, stable and gazebo. The property is listed for its link to Stone, whose career helped build one of the world's largest furniture makers, and for its well-preserved architecture. Its period of significance runs from the 1930 land purchase to 1956, when Mrs. Stone died.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Reed Lewis Stone, one of the four founders of Bassett Furniture, which grew into one of the largest furniture makers in the world. It is also described as a nearly pristine example of Classical Revival architecture, with intact interior features and several original outbuildings.
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 06000708, listed August 16, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3136 Fairystone Park Hwy., Bassett |
|---|---|
| County | Henry County |
| Listed | August 16, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000708 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1930-1956 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Has been a private residence since construction and left the Stone family in 2005; the current owners plan to rehabilitate it using the Virginia Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program. |
| Acreage | 2.9 |
| Coordinates | 36.75759, -79.98440 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 06000708.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713111
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.