Nanzatico
Why it's listed
Nanzatico is a frame mansion of two stories and seven bays on a broad plain above the Rappahannock River in King George County, Virginia. It has a hipped roof, two interior end chimneys, and a modillion cornice that wraps the whole building. The river front is dominated by an engaged portico with large pilasters and a bulls-eye pediment, while the land front has a small pedimented pavilion leading to a vestibule set off by an elliptical arch. A smokehouse, summer kitchen and schoolhouse or office survive nearby. The estate was first held by the Wormeley family and takes its name from the Nanzatico Indians. It passed through the Page and Randolph families, and the present house was finished around 1770 during Charles Carter Jr.'s attempted purchase. Thomas Mann Randolph sold it in 1778 to Colonel Thomas Turner, whose family kept it until the late nineteenth century. Its formality, timber craftsmanship, Ionic portico and preservation underpin its recognition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it probably the most formal frame colonial mansion in Virginia after Mount Vernon, and an excellent example of the quality achievable in timber. Its engaged Ionic portico is described as a unique design feature for colonial Virginia. It also has an excellent state of preservation and ties to several distinguished colonial families.
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 69000250, listed November 12, 1969. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of jct. of SR 650 and 625, King George Court House |
|---|---|
| County | King George County |
| Listed | November 12, 1969 |
| Reference number | 69000250 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is marked good; the property is occupied and used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 340 |
| Coordinates | 38.16985, -77.12568 (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 69000250.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15260978
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.