Laurel Meadow
Also known as: DHR No. 127-0304
Why it's listed
Laurel Meadow is a farm in eastern Hanover County, Virginia, centered on a 1½-story frame house built in the early nineteenth century. The house began as a hall-parlor-plan dwelling on a raised brick basement, with three gable dormers and a pedimented porch. Shed-roofed additions in the later nineteenth century and more recent changes expanded it. An unusual central boxed staircase originally had an exterior door. South of the house stand a mid-nineteenth-century one-room private schoolhouse and a barn thought to date from soon after the Civil War. A relocated tenant house and corncrib, moved from the bottomland, are counted as noncontributing. The property was listed for its architecture, as a good local example of a hall-parlor house that changed over time. It also has Civil War associations: troops camped here in 1862, and family tradition says Stonewall Jackson spent a night in the house, though one account disputes that. About ten acres remain, with two fields still cultivated.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Criterion C significance at the local level. The house is an excellent example of a hall-parlor-plan dwelling in eastern Hanover County and an informative example of a dwelling that evolved through the nineteenth century. It is unusual for its central boxed staircase, which originally had exterior access. The schoolhouse is a rare surviving private school building, and the land was a Civil War camp site.
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). NRHP reference 13001165, listed February 5, 2014. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1640 Bramwell Rd., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | February 5, 2014 |
| Reference number | 13001165 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1820 -- ca. 1890 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is a single dwelling with agricultural storage; two fields remain in cultivation and the owners are restoring a garden. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 37.48747, -77.50681 (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 13001165.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16894023
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.