Hewick
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Why it's listed
Hewick is a brick plantation house northwest of Urbanna in Middlesex County, Virginia, set on a broad plain at the end of a treelined lane. Probably built around the middle of the 18th century by Christopher Robinson III, it began as an L-shaped, story-and-a-half dwelling with clipped gables, a five-bay main block and a two-bay ell, all laid in Flemish bond with glazed headers. In the early 19th century the roofs were changed to gambrels, and around the middle of the century the main block was raised to two full stories. The interior keeps Federal and Greek Revival mantels, an open-well stair and an original winder stair in the ell. The house matters as the work of the Robinson family, prominent in colonial Virginia, and as a record of how planters' houses were enlarged and restyled over about a century. A family cemetery near the house includes a 1715 slab marker.
Significance in brief: The house was built by the prominent Robinson family and is distinguished by its Flemish-bond brickwork. Its alterations show how the housing needs and fashions of well-to-do Tidewater planters changed between the 18th and 19th centuries.
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 78003030, listed November 17, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Urbanna, Urbanna |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | November 17, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78003030 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architect / builder | Probably Christopher Robinson III (1705-1768) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition; the form marks it as occupied and as a private residence, and it remains in the hands of the Duer family. |
| Acreage | 24 |
| Within district | Occupacia-Rappahannock Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.64082, -76.58725 (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 78003030.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712526
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.