Contentment
Also known as: DHR File No. 082-0062
Why it's listed
Contentment is a large two-story Federal-style house of brick fired on site, built in 1823 by Robert Grattan, Sr. on land his father John Grattan bought in 1761. The five-bay house is laid in Flemish bond, has four tall interior-end chimneys, and holds a central hall, thirteen-foot ceilings, much original woodwork and nine mantels, each of a different design. An unusual boxed staircase was arranged to suit the family's social gatherings. The property is considered one of the finest Federal houses in Rockingham County. It also has Civil War significance. On June 2-4, 1864, Confederate General John D. Imboden used it as headquarters, and troops were organized on its lawn before the Battle of Piedmont. In October 1864, a skirmish between Confederate forces and Sheridan's withdrawing troops began at the house. The Grattan family was prominent in the Shenandoah Valley.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in Rockingham County, with a central-hall plan, thirteen-foot ceilings and nine differently styled mantels. It is also significant for Civil War events: in June 1864 it served as Confederate General John D. Imboden's headquarters, where forces were organized before the Battle of Piedmont, and in October 1864 a skirmish began there.
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 04000481, listed May 19, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 253 Contentment Ln., Mt. Crawford |
|---|---|
| County | Rockingham County |
| Listed | May 19, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000481 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1823-1864 |
| Architect / builder | UNKNOWN |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Military |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in fine condition with few changes since 1823; it continues in use as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 3.3 |
| Coordinates | 38.34204, -78.93670 (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 04000481.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15211549
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.