Columbia
Why it's listed
Built in 1817-18 for flour mill manager Philip Haxall, Columbia is a two-story, hipped-roof brick house at 1142 West Grace Street in Richmond. Its symmetrical Federal exterior hides an unusual Palladian-derived first-floor plan with an assembly hall, stair hall, parlor and dining room. Inside, carved woodwork, a composition-plaster ceiling medallion and King-of-Prussia marble mantels survive. The house takes its name from the Columbia Flour Mills, and it is described as the only surviving mill owner's house of its period in the city. In 1834 the Virginia Baptist Education Society bought it, and it became the main academic building of Richmond College, later the University of Richmond. It served briefly as a Confederate hospital and a Union barracks during the Civil War. From 1917 to 1954 it housed the law school, and a classroom wing and relocated main entrance were added in 1924. Its educational use has continued for almost 150 years.
Significance in brief: It is one of about ten outstanding surviving early Federal residences in Richmond and the only surviving mill owner's house of the period. It was named for the Columbia Flour Mills and became the main building of Richmond College, later the University of Richmond. It has served educational uses for about a century and a half and retains much original fabric, including fine woodwork, plaster ornament and marble mantels.
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 82004585, listed September 16, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1142 W. Grace St., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | September 16, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004585 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899, 1900- |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the University of Richmond and occupied by a secretarial school at the time of nomination; altered in 1924 but retains its unusual floor plan and much interior fabric. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Within district | James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.55347, -77.45668 (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 82004585.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16890532
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.