Conway House
Also known as: Conway, Moncure Daniel, House; 089-0067-0031
Why it's listed
Built in 1807 at 305 King Street in Falmouth, Virginia, this brick house was constructed for a merchant during the prosperous years of the Rappahannock River port. It is a large, two-story, five-bay Federal-style residence with a full basement, slate roof, Flemish bond facade, corbeled brick cornice and a semicircular fanlight over the double front doors. An unusual flounder-form east end gives the plan an L shape, arranged around a central hall. The nomination values the house chiefly for its architecture and its remarkable survival. Falmouth was repeatedly occupied during the Civil War, and many buildings were stripped for firewood, yet this house served as a hospital and received protection. Soldiers of the 20th Massachusetts left traces in the attic. The Conway family lived here, and members of the household took opposing sides in the war. Despite many ownership changes, the house retains much original fabric.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fine, well-preserved example of Federal-style architecture reflecting the prosperity of Falmouth's merchant class in the early nineteenth century. Its original fabric survived the Civil War largely intact, partly because it served as a hospital. It was also the home of the Conway family, divided by the war.
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 04000162, listed March 8, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 305 King St., Falmouth |
|---|---|
| County | Stafford County |
| Listed | March 8, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000162 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1807 |
| Architect / builder | UNKNOWN |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition with much original fabric intact; current use is a single-dwelling residence. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Within district | Falmouth Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.32129, -77.46752 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 04000162.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15211568
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.