Chester
Why it's listed
Chester is a large two-story frame farmhouse in rural Sussex County, near Homeville, Virginia. It is believed to date from 1773, because a brick in the chimneys bears that date. John Sledge, the first owner, sold it in 1777, and later owners included Captain Nathaniel Dunn and Captain William Harrison, whose son added a wing in the 1820s. The house stayed in the Harrison family until 1871. Its most notable feature is a pair of exterior chimney stacks joined by pent closets on both floors, laid in Flemish bond with glazed headers and carried on a semicircular vault. Connections on two levels are rare, and only Chester and Waterville in King William County are thought to preserve such colonial examples in Virginia. Inside, nearly all the original woodwork survives, including paneled chimney pieces with fluted pilasters. Fields and woodlands still surround the house, and renovation followed a period of neglect.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Chester has one of the finest and most massive sets of coupled exterior chimney stacks in Virginia, joined by pent closets on two levels, a rare feature. It is also a well-preserved Southside colonial farmhouse with nearly all of its original interior woodwork.
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 70000829, listed December 18, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of jct. of Rtes. 625 and 35, Homeville |
|---|---|
| County | Sussex County |
| Listed | December 18, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000829 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th and 19th centuries (specific date 1773) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition rated fair; undergoing renovation after a period of neglect. Used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 36.97203, -77.17939 (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 70000829.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15209538
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.