Cobbs Hall
Also known as: 066-0003
Why it's listed
Cobbs Hall is a two-story, five-bay brick plantation house overlooking Dividing Creek in Northumberland County, Virginia. Built in 1853 by Martha Lee Harvey on the foundations of a circa 1720 house that burned in 1846, it closely copies its colonial predecessor, except that it has no windows on the north side. The house has a gable roof, common bond brick walls, stone sills and lintels, and entrances on the east and west fronts with Tuscan columns. Inside, the central hall and double parlors are noted for plaster ceilings with egg and dart molding and large medallions. The land was first patented by Richard Lee in 1651 and has remained with his descendants. The grounds include a Lee family graveyard, brick ruins of an earlier structure, a brick meat house and a reconstructed kitchen. The property is significant for its architecture and for its long link to the Lee family of Virginia.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant for its architecture, especially the ceiling plasterwork in the central hall and double parlors. It is also tied to the Lee family of Virginia, since the land was first patented by Richard Lee in 1651 and has stayed in descendants' ownership. Martha Lee Harvey directed the rebuilding to closely copy its colonial predecessor.
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 01000699, listed July 5, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 582 Cobbs Hall Ln., Kilmarnock |
|---|---|
| County | Northumberland County |
| Listed | July 5, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000699 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1853 |
| Architect / builder | Mrs. Martha Lee Harvey |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th century |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as being restored to its antebellum appearance by its present owner, and still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 6.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.74394, -76.33942 (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 01000699.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15211081
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.