Wormeley Cottage
Also known as: Wormeley-Montague House
Why it's listed
Wormeley Cottage is a small frame building on Virginia Street in Urbanna, a former Rappahannock River port town. It has one and a half stories, three bays and three narrow gabled dormers. A brick chimney with Flemish bond stands off-center at the east end, set back to serve corner fireplaces. Inside, a side-passage plan holds a large main room and a narrow lean-to room, with an enclosed stair along the passage wall. The lot was conveyed to Ralph Wormeley in 1747 with a requirement to build within twelve months, though the form says it cannot confirm that the present cottage is that first structure. Its sash and Greek Revival doors suggest early 19th-century changes, and it was likely built in the second half of the 18th century. It is one of few 18th-century buildings left in Urbanna. Later owners included James Mills and Arthur Lee, who also held nearby Lansdowne. After a 1976 renovation it gained a solar heating unit and serves as an office.
Significance in brief: It is one of the few 18th-century buildings left in the former Rappahannock River port town of Urbanna. It is a vernacular building with traditional Virginia features and is an example of modest housing of its period. Its ownership history is tied to Ralph Wormeley and to the nearby Lansdowne property.
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 80004201, listed May 23, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Virginia St., Urbanna |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | May 23, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004201 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Vernacular (traditional Virginia 18th and early 19th century features, with Greek Revival doors) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored in 1976 and now used as a law office; equipped with a solar heating system. Condition marked good/excellent. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | Occupacia-Rappahannock Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.63581, -76.57785 (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 80004201.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713568
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.