Mont Calm
Why it's listed
Montcalm is a brick farmhouse on a shaded hill just south of Abingdon, Virginia. Completed in 1827 for David Campbell, it is a two-story, five-bay Federal style house with a Flemish bond facade, nine-over-nine windows, a fanlighted entrance and finely detailed interior trim. An original ell extends to the south, and additions were made in the early twentieth century, when the central hall plan was altered and a circular stair was installed. Outbuildings include a smokehouse and slave quarters. Campbell served as clerk of the Washington County court, state senator and Governor of Virginia from 1837 to 1840, and promoted public education. Later owners included Colonel Arthur C. Cummings, a Mexican War veteran and Confederate regimental commander, and the Mingea family. Wilton E. Mingea, Sr., a lumber man, developed the Virginia-Carolina Railroad, known as the Virginia Creeper. The property was listed for its architecture and its association with these families.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the most important houses in the Abingdon area, with finely detailed Federal interiors. It was home to three influential local families: the Campbells, the Cummings and the Mingeas. David Campbell was Governor of Virginia from 1837 to 1840 and an early advocate of public education.
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 74002148, listed July 18, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W of VA 75, Abingdon |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | July 18, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74002148 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition stated as good; listed as occupied private residence with preservation work in progress. |
| Acreage | 18 |
| Within district | Abingdon Historic District (Additional Documentation) |
| Coordinates | 36.70742, -81.97365 (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 74002148.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15255273
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.