Rich Bottom Farm
Also known as: VDHR File No. 53-422
Why it's listed
Rich Bottom Farm is a ten-acre property north of Purcellville, Loudoun County, Virginia, centered on a two-story house built in three sections between about 1780 and 1820. The eastern and central sections are roughly cut limestone, while the western section is handmade brick. Six rooms connect without hallways, and front and rear doors align in each section. Interior features include original mantels, built-in cabinets, chair rails and horse hair plaster walls. A limestone smokehouse with a cornerstone dated 1797 and a two-story limestone springhouse also survive. The property is recognized as a well-preserved example of Federal-style architecture. It was the home of grain farmer Samuel Purcell, whose descendants gave Purcellville its name. He sought permission to build a grist mill in 1785, and his will freed his slaves in 1829. The farm remained with the Purcell family into the 1940s. Restoration work in 1994 and 1995 preserved its historic character.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the farm is a well-preserved example of Federal-style architecture. The door alignment, lack of hallways and the lintel construction of the cooking fireplace are cited as architecturally significant. It was also the late-eighteenth-century home of grain farmer Samuel Purcell, whose descendants gave Purcellville its name, and it stayed in the family until the 1940s.
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 97000156, listed February 21, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 16860 Hillsboro Rd., 1.5 mi. N of Purcellville, Purcellville |
|---|---|
| County | Loudoun County |
| Listed | February 21, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000156 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1780-ca. 1820 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition with very little alteration; restored in 1994 and 1995 by its current owners, with current function listed as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 10 |
| Coordinates | 39.14980, -77.73282 (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 97000156.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713128
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.