Kirkland Grove Campground
Also known as: Kirkland Grove Camp Ground; VDHR File No. 66-89
Why it's listed
Kirkland Grove Campground is a Baptist camp meeting site on 23 1/2 acres south of Heathsville, Virginia, established in 1892 and named for the Baptist minister Dr. William Heath Kirk. Week-long summer services held here became a major social event for the area. Three original wooden buildings remain. The central Tabernacle, 90 by 90 feet, was designed and built by local carpenter William Dandridge Cockrell. It has open timber framing on concrete piers, a stepped four-tier hipped roof with a bell tower, and 101 fixed benches around the pulpit. The Camper's Tent and the Preacher's Tent are two-story vernacular buildings whose upper floors overhang porches. Forty-two such family tents once lined the avenues around the Tabernacle. The campground is regarded as one of Virginia's few surviving nineteenth-century religious campgrounds and the only one in the Northern Neck that retains its tabernacle and still holds annual revivals. It has been used every summer since it was built.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that it is one of about six remaining nineteenth-century religious campgrounds in Virginia and the only Northern Neck campground that still has its tabernacle and holds yearly revivals. The three surviving buildings illustrate the center of worship, the evangelical minister and the congregation. The tabernacle is also a notable example of vernacular timber construction by local craftsman William Dandridge Cockrell.
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 92001391, listed October 15, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 779, 1.6 mi. S of Heathsville, Heathsville |
|---|---|
| County | Northumberland County |
| Listed | October 15, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001391 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1892-1941 |
| Architect / builder | Cockrell, William Dandridge |
| Architectural style | No style (vernacular) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used for church meetings, revivals, reunions and youth camp activities; the Camper's Tent is in serious disrepair and the Preacher's Tent is used for storage. |
| Acreage | 23.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.90037, -76.48544 (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 92001391.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15238587
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.