Randolph, Peyton, House
Also known as: Randolph-Peachy House
Why it's listed
Standing at the northeast corner of Nicholson and North England Streets in Williamsburg, this frame house grew in three stages between 1715 and 1782. William Robertson built the square western section around a central chimney in 1715 or 1716. An eastern section followed about 1724, and a two-story connecting part was added after the two adjoining lots came under one owner. The eastern section is now a conjectural reconstruction, while the west and center parts are restored originals. Features include a two-story north porch, a wooden belt board, a double gable W-form roof in the western section, and yellow pine, oak and walnut woodwork. Its paneled rooms are described as the finest original series in Williamsburg. Peyton Randolph, speaker of the House of Burgesses and president of the Continental Congress in 1774, lived here from 1745 until his death in 1775. Colonial Williamsburg completed restoration in 1968.
Significance in brief: It is presented as an early and fine example of the Early-Georgian frame house with largely original, handsome interior woodwork. Its paneled rooms are described as the finest series of original paneled rooms in Williamsburg. It was also the home of Peyton Randolph, speaker of the House of Burgesses and president of the Continental Congress in 1774.
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 70000863, listed April 15, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Corner of Nicholson and N. England Sts., Williamsburg (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Williamsburg |
| Listed | April 15, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000863 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (specific dates 1715 or 1716, 1724, and c. 1730) |
| Architect / builder | William Robertson (western section, 1715 or 1716) |
| Architectural style | Early Georgian frame house |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated April 15, 1970 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Maintained in excellent condition; the center and western sections are regularly open to the public, while the reconstructed eastern section is a private residence not open to the public. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Merchants Square and Resort Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.27311, -76.69988 (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 70000863.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7179632
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.