Bon Aire
Why it's listed
Bon Aire is a brick Federal-style house built about 1812 on a hill above the James River in southern Nelson County, Virginia. It has a two-story, three-bay center block with a pedimented slate roof, flanked by 1-1/2-story wings, a Palladian arrangement common in Virginia houses of the period. The large portico and the dormers date from the 1940s, and a kitchen wing was added in the 1950s, but the original three-part plan and most interior trim remain. The entrance hall has arched openings and fluted pilasters. George Cabell, Jr., a physician, built the house on land given to him by his father in 1799, and he practiced medicine from the property until 1817. An 1812 insurance policy describes the original house and its outbuildings, none of which survive. Its similarities to Point of Honor in Lynchburg, built for a Cabell cousin, suggest the same builder, whose name is unknown. The house is valued as an example of Virginia's adaptation of Palladian designs.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Bon Aire is a distinctive Federal house inspired by Palladian three-part plans from English pattern books, adapted by Virginia builders using local materials. It is closely related to Point of Honor in Lynchburg, a Cabell family house. It is also tied to the Cabell family, early settlers of the county.
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 80004203, listed July 30, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of Shipman on VA 626, Shipman |
|---|---|
| County | Nelson County |
| Listed | July 30, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004203 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1812 |
| Architectural style | Federal (Palladian three-part plan) |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a private residence; the form lists it as occupied. The basement has been finished as a family room, and a 1950s kitchen addition and 1940s portico and dormers were added. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 37.68111, -78.71974 (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 80004203.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4940942
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.