Jones, Matthew, House
Also known as: Bourbon; Brick House Farm
Why it's listed
Matthew Jones House, also called Bourbon or Brick House Farm, is a brick dwelling on the Fort Eustis Military Reservation in Newport News. It was built as a one-story, gable-roofed house with a central two-story enclosed porch and a rear lean-to. In the late nineteenth century the main block was raised to two stories using bricks from an outbuilding, and most original interior woodwork was lost. The original brickwork survives in Flemish bond with glazed headers above the water table and English bond below. Massive end chimneys with joined square twin stacks and an arched front door are notable features. The name comes from an inscription reading 'Matthew Jones 1727' over the old kitchen door, though what the date meant is uncertain. One expert has suggested the chimneys are late seventeenth century and came from an earlier frame building. The house was listed as one of the finest surviving Medieval style Virginia houses, echoing a small English manor house.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the finest of the handful of surviving Medieval style Virginia houses, with a design reflecting a small English manor house of a century earlier. Despite its altered form and uncertain early history, it is judged to be of high architectural significance and rarity.
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 69000342, listed June 11, 1969. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | MacAuliffe Rd. and James River Rd., Fort Eustis, Newport News (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Newport News |
| Listed | June 11, 1969 |
| Reference number | 69000342 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Medieval style Virginia house |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition marked fair on the form and the house was altered when a second story was added; a 1970 letter describes it as in a precarious position needing roof repair and stabilization. |
| Coordinates | 37.16031, -76.60282 (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 69000342.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16892929
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.