Foster's Castle
Why it's listed
Foster's Castle is a T-shaped brick house in the quiet northwest corner of New Kent County, Virginia, set among fields bounded by the Pamunkey River, marshland and uneven ground. It is believed to have been built between 1685 and 1690 by Colonel Joseph Foster, an English-born burgess, sheriff, justice and militia officer who also supervised construction of Saint Peters Church. The house was raised to a full two stories with a lower roof in 1873 after Dr. J.C. Gregory bought it, and its windows were changed, yet much of the original brickwork remains visible. Distinctive details include a two-course string course that rises above the doorway, a gabled two-story entrance projection, and an unusual mix of brick bonds. It is one of four surviving Virginia buildings of the Tudor-Stuart type with a central porch projection, alongside Criss Cross, the Mathew Jones House and Bacon's Castle, making it a rare survivor of a once-common form.
Significance in brief: It is one of only four surviving Tudor-Stuart style Virginia structures with a two-story central porch projection, a major seventeenth and early-eighteenth century building form. Despite considerable alteration, most of the original fabric survives and the original appearance is still evident. Its distinctive brickwork and string courses are notable features.
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 73002044, listed April 11, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Tunstall off VA 608, Tunstall |
|---|---|
| County | New Kent County |
| Listed | April 11, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002044 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 17th Century (c. 1685) |
| Architect / builder | Colonel Joseph Foster (believed builder) |
| Architectural style | Tudor-Stuart style with porch projection |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition stated as good and altered; occupied as a private residence by the owner's family. |
| Acreage | 340 |
| Coordinates | 37.58909, -77.07790 (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 73002044.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712331
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.