Upper Wolfsnare
Also known as: Brick House Farm
Why it's listed
Upper Wolfsnare, historically called Brick House Farm, is a two-story Flemish-bond brick house on a basement in Virginia Beach. Built around 1759, it has a gable roof, modillion cornice and interior end chimneys with corbelled caps. Inside, a central passage divides the house, with a triple-run stair, and the rooms are finished with raised paneling and wainscoting with minimal moldings, typical of the area. Its plan resembles Pleasant Hall in nearby Kempsville, and its woodwork parallels that at Ashland and Poplar Hall. The house is regarded as a fortunate survival of a local house type once common in the region. Major Thomas Walke's 1759 will mentioned houses under construction, and Upper Wolfsnare was probably one of them. His son Thomas was among the few Whigs in Loyalist Princess Anne County during the Revolution. Two large chestnut-oak trees flank the house, which sits between an expressway and a naval air station yet keeps a rural appearance. The Princess Anne County Historical Society acquired it in 1966.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fortunate survival of a localized house type once common in the Virginia Beach area, notable for its unusual plan and plain raised paneling. It retains much of its eighteenth-century appearance despite surrounding development. It is also tied to Thomas Walke, one of the few Whigs in Loyalist Princess Anne County during the Revolution.
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 75002119, listed March 26, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of jct. of Rtes. 635 and 632, Virginia Beach (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Virginia Beach |
| Listed | March 26, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75002119 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (1759) |
| Architectural style | Georgian (vernacular) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition and unaltered on its original site; leased and being restored in the 1970s by the Princess Anne County Historical Society's tenants. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 36.84065, -76.03874 (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 75002119.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7899017
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.