Carter, A. P., Homeplace
Also known as: A.P. Carter Birthplace
Why it's listed
Tucked into Little Valley near Maces Spring in Scott County, Virginia, this small log cabin is where A. P. Carter was born in 1891 and lived until shortly after his marriage in 1915. Carter collected and performed mountain folk songs, and with Sara and Maybelle Carter he formed the Carter Family. Their roughly 250 recorded songs, made between 1927 and 1941, preserved a broad cross-section of regional music. The cabin itself measures 17 by 15 feet and has half-dovetailed log walls, weatherboard gables, a rubble stone chimney at the west end and a rear lean-to. Inside are a closed corner stair and a small fireplace. It follows the traditional square English cabin plan, a type used for housing by poorer families into the twentieth century. A log barn and another outbuilding survive nearby. The cabin has stood unused, and it remains in the Carter family.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant as the birthplace and early home of A. P. Carter, a leading collector and performer of Southwest Virginia folk music and a founder of the Carter Family. It is also a late example of the traditional square English cabin type, used by poorer people for nearly 300 years. It represents the small, plain houses often overlooked by historians.
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 76002118, listed July 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SE of Maces Spring near jct. of VA 614 and VA 691, Maces Spring |
|---|---|
| County | Scott County |
| Listed | July 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76002118 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Vernacular (traditional square or English log cabin) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The 1976 form says the cabin is abandoned and unused. A 1985 update describes it as vacant for much of the twentieth century, now used for storage, and in fair to poor condition. |
| Acreage | 33 |
| Coordinates | 36.66696, -82.39414 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 76002118.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15177521
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.