Hurstville
Also known as: VDHR File No. 66-35
Why it's listed
Hurstville is a small plantation on Ball Neck in Northumberland County, Virginia, overlooking an inlet of Ball Creek with distant views toward the Chesapeake Bay and Tangier Island. Its centerpiece is a story-and-a-half frame house, roughly 28 by 30 feet, built soon after Thomas Hurst bought the land in 1776. The house represents the modest wooden dwellings of the region's lesser gentry, most of which have since disappeared. It is notable for a rare double-pile, four-room plan and a massive south chimney serving four fireplaces, laid in Flemish bond with glazed headers and unusual tumbled courses that point to skilled masons. Federal-style mantels were added in the 1820s. In 1940 Jessie Ball duPont had the house restored as a home for her sisters, removing nineteenth-century changes. The property also includes part of the Cress Field plantation, with the Ball family cemetery and the site of a house that burned.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a distinctive example of late-eighteenth-century Tidewater vernacular architecture, typical of the lesser gentry's wooden dwellings. It is noted for its rare double-pile, four-room hall-parlor-chamber plan and a large south chimney with glazed-header Flemish bond and uncommon tumbled brickwork. The property also preserves its eighteenth-century waterfront setting and was restored in 1940 by philanthropist Jessie Ball duPont.
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 92001264, listed September 24, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 605 E side, 3500 ft. S of jct. with VA 606, Kilmarnock |
|---|---|
| County | Northumberland County |
| Listed | September 24, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001264 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | circa 1777-circa 1825 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic; Other: Southern Post-Colonial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; restored after 1940, with three non-contributing outbuildings on the grounds. |
| Acreage | 305 |
| Coordinates | 37.76159, -76.32644 (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 92001264.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15227066
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.