Spence's Point
Also known as: John R. Dos Passos Farm
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Why it's listed
Spence's Point, also called the John Dos Passos Farm, occupies about 1,800 acres on Sandy Point Neck beside the Potomac River in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Its main house is a simple two-and-a-half-story brick Federal-style building. The older section dates from 1806 and has a side-hall plan, common-bond brick walls and a corbeled cornice. Dos Passos added a wing in the 1940s with a library, sitting room and a two-tiered veranda facing the river. Williamsburg-made pine paneling was installed during his restoration. The property matters because of John Dos Passos, whose U.S.A. trilogy and Manhattan Transfer helped shape modern American fiction. He spent boyhood summers on the family farm, returned in the early 1940s to restore the house, and settled here in 1949. He lived in Westmoreland County for his last twenty-five years and wrote his final works here. The boundaries also take in his boyhood home about two miles downriver.
Significance in brief: The property is tied to John Dos Passos, described as one of the major and most influential modern American writers, known for the U.S.A. trilogy and Manhattan Transfer. He restored the house beginning in the early 1940s and lived there permanently from 1949 until his death in 1970, writing his final works here. The nominated area also includes his boyhood home at Sandy Point.
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 71000991, listed November 11, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | On Sandy Point Neck, on VA 749, Westmoreland |
|---|---|
| County | Westmoreland County |
| Listed | November 11, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000991 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1942-1970 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Literature |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 11, 1971 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied by the author's widow; furnishings remain and the study is largely undisturbed; the Sandy Point boyhood house has passed out of the family. |
| Acreage | 1800 |
| Coordinates | 38.08131, -76.56648 (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 71000991.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7575938
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.