Pitts, Dr. William H., House
Also known as: 140-0022
Why it's listed
Built in 1854 at 247 East Main Street in Abingdon, Virginia, this two-story masonry house is a well-preserved example of Greek Revival design. Local builder Adam Hickman put it up on speculation, and it has a symmetrical five-bay front, a recessed central entrance with transom and sidelights, and stepped-gable parapet walls flanking paired chimneys. Its stucco covering is the only one of its kind among Abingdon's houses. Inside, the turned newel post, simple window and door moldings, paneled shutters and classical mantels survive from the original construction. A two-story kitchen ell was added to the rear in the late nineteenth century, and the metal roof also dates from that period. Dr. William H. Pitts, a physician who treated wounded Confederate soldiers and later served on Abingdon's first Board of Health, bought the house in 1859. It was listed for its architecture, with a period of significance from 1854 to 1900, and remains a single-family home.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion C in the area of Architecture for its distinctive Greek Revival style. It also has a historic exterior finish of lime-based stucco, described as unique to the Abingdon Historic District and making it the only stucco-covered residence in Abingdon. Many original exterior and interior decorative elements survive.
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 02000322, listed April 1, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 247 E. Main St., Abingdon |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | April 1, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000322 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1854-1900 |
| Architect / builder | Adam Hickman, Builder |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; the form says it retains its historic integrity despite late nineteenth century alterations and a rear addition. No outbuildings survive. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Abingdon Historic District (Additional Documentation) |
| Coordinates | 36.71249, -81.96779 (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 02000322.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15215008
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.