Keeling House (Additional Documentation)
Also known as: Adam Keeling House; Dudlies; Vdhr #134-0018
Why it's listed
Keeling House is a compact brick dwelling at the head of a cove off the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach. It is five bays wide and 1 1/2 stories tall, with a gable roof and interior-end chimneys. The brickwork is Flemish bond with glazed headers above a beveled water table and English bond below. Each gable carries glazed-header chevron patterns, nine to a gable, a late-seventeenth century decorative device that survives on fewer than half a dozen structures in Virginia. Inside, the north room has a paneled end wall with chimney closets and fluted pilasters, and the stair has turned walnut balusters and a closed stringer with pulvinated frieze. The house was probably built between 1695 and 1714 for Thomas Keeling on a tract called Dudlies, inherited from his father Adam Keeling in 1683. The Keeling family kept the house and about three hundred acres until 1881. A modern wing has been added to the south side, and later sash and frames replaced the originals.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of Virginia's best-preserved small, pre-Georgian brick manor houses. It is noted for its fine brickwork and interior woodwork, especially the glazed-header chevron patterns in the gables, a late-seventeenth century device found on fewer than half a dozen surviving structures in the state.
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 73002297, listed June 19, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3157 Adam Keeling Rd., Virginia Beach (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Virginia Beach |
| Listed | June 19, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002297 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Architectural style | Pre-Georgian brick manor house |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition, altered, on its original site, and occupied as a private residence; the house and grounds are described as maintained in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 1.15 |
| Coordinates | 36.90051, -76.07917 (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 73002297.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4679318
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.