Vaucluse
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Why it's listed
Vaucluse is a rambling, ell-shaped house near Bridgetown on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Its main block runs east to west, with a wing extending north. The oldest part, probably the west end between the two chimneys, is clapboarded frame on a Flemish bond foundation with a brick end wall and a gable roof under a modillioned cornice. A one-and-one-half story quarter kitchen with brick ends connects to the main house through a two-story ell. A long two-story columned porch was added on the south. The Upshur family owned the property from 1768 to 1855. Littleton Upshur probably built the brick-ended section about 1784, and his son Abel Parker Upshur presumably added to it in 1829. Abel Upshur, born here, became a Virginia judge, Secretary of the Navy and then Secretary of State, negotiating the Texas annexation treaty before his death in a cannon explosion aboard the U.S.S. Princeton in 1844. The house is regarded as an important Eastern Shore landmark.
Significance in brief: The property was the home of the Upshur family from 1768 to 1855 and the birthplace and home of Abel Parker Upshur, who served as Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of State under President John Tyler. The house is also considered an important Eastern Shore landmark whose exterior keeps most of its original style 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 70000814, listed September 15, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of jct. of Rtes. 619 and 657, Bridgetown |
|---|---|
| County | Northampton County |
| Listed | September 15, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000814 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Littleton Upshur (brick-ended section, about 1784); Abel Parker Upshur (presumed addition, 1829) |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in good condition, altered, occupied as a private residence, with preservation work in progress. |
| Acreage | 1000.8 |
| Coordinates | 37.42387, -75.97900 (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 70000814.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16902562
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.