Centerview
Also known as: VDHR file no. 118-5062
Why it's listed
Centerview is a two-story brick house at 1900 Memorial Avenue in Lynchburg, finished in 1871 in the Greek Revival style. It has a symmetrical three-bay front, a metal-sheathed gable roof, a raised basement and a 1920s Craftsman-style front porch. Behind it stands a one-story brick dependency, possibly built in 1861, which likely served as a summer kitchen and cook's dwelling. When built, the house stood among farmland in Campbell County; the area was later annexed by Lynchburg. The property matters chiefly because of Dr. Robert Withers Morgan, a Confederate veteran and dentist who bought it in 1876 and lived there with his family. He developed dental chewing gum and dental snuff and drafted legislation that led to the creation of the U.S. Army Dental Corps in 1901. The buildings also illustrate Greek Revival design and nineteenth-century household arrangements. Both structures were rehabilitated in 1999-2000 for law offices and keep most original features.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property is nationally significant under Criterion B for its association with Dr. Robert Withers Morgan, a dentist and dental hygiene products formulator who drafted legislation that led to the U.S. Army Dental Corps in 1901. It is also significant under Criterion C as a representative example of Greek Revival styling and nineteenth-century domestic arrangements in Lynchburg.
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 00001435, listed December 1, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1900 Memorial Ave., Lynchburg (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Lynchburg |
| Listed | December 1, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00001435 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1861-1904 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Health/Medicine, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house and dependency were rehabilitated in 1999-2000 as law offices and are in use as such. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 37.40845, -79.16164 (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 00001435.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5060073
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.