Rosegill
Why it's listed
Rosegill is a plantation complex near Urbanna, Virginia, set on a peninsula between Urbanna Creek and a millpond, with a broad view of the Rappahannock River. Five eighteenth-century brick buildings form a row 466 feet long: a wash house, the dwelling house, a kitchen, and a storage house. Stylistically the complex dates to 1730-1750, and the nomination suggests Ralph Wormeley IV built it. The main house grew from a small story-and-a-half brick core through a circa 1770 enlargement, then was raised to two full stories and given Greek Revival trim around 1850. It was remodeled again in the 1940s. The estate began in 1649, when Ralph Wormeley I patented 3,200 acres. Later generations of the family held high colonial offices, and Governor Lord Howard of Effingham spent summers here. Because the original estate was extensive, the nomination also regards the site as potentially one of Virginia's richest archaeological sites.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Rosegill as one of the oldest and most historic estates in America, tied to the Wormeley family and other prominent Virginians. The surviving complex is described as a significant relic of colonial plantation architecture. The extent of the original complex also makes it potentially one of the state's richest archaeological sites.
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 73002040, listed November 27, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of Urbanna off VA 227, Urbanna |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | November 27, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002040 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Probably built by Ralph Wormeley IV, according to the form; no architect named |
| Architectural style | Colonial plantation complex, with Greek Revival remodeling of c. 1850 |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Marked as occupied, in excellent condition, and used as a private residence; altered. |
| Acreage | 400 |
| Within district | Occupacia-Rappahannock Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.62813, -76.56545 (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 73002040.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713158
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.