Poplar Hill
Also known as: VDHR File No. 46-96
Why it's listed
Poplar Hill is a 125-acre farm northeast of Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. Its main building is a story-and-a-half frame house with a hall/parlor plan, built in the late eighteenth century by John Stott, a Scottish immigrant who bought land near the headwaters of the Pagan River. A date brick in the west chimney reads either 1793 or 1795. Later additions include a rear leanto from the early nineteenth century, a kitchen wing added after the Civil War, and a 1920s sun room that is now a bedroom. Outbuildings include a mid-nineteenth-century wash house, a shed, a garage and a stable, with archaeological remains of an icehouse and carriage house. The property was listed for architecture because it typifies the modest vernacular houses of small planters in southeastern Virginia, with simple wainscoting, mantels and batten doors. The house has stayed in the Stott family line since it was built.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a good example of the small planter's or middle-class vernacular dwelling of southeastern Virginia in the late eighteenth century. Its hall/parlor plan is unaltered, and its later additions show how the house evolved. It has also remained in the same family continuously.
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 95000975, listed August 18, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7968 Purvis Ln. (VA 673), 0.9 mi. NW of jct. with VA 677, Smithfield |
|---|---|
| County | Isle of Wight County |
| Listed | August 18, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000975 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1793/1795 to 1930s |
| Architect / builder | John Stott (builder/original owner) |
| Architectural style | Early Republic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Well maintained by the current owners; the property remains in use as a single dwelling with secondary structures. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 37.03480, -76.68140 (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 95000975.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713085
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.