Abram's Delight
Why it's listed
Abram's Delight is a two-story limestone farmhouse in Winchester, Virginia, built in 1754 by Isaac Hollingsworth. Stone mason Simon Taylor constructed it using random rubble limestone, and the main block follows the central-hall, two-over-two plan favored by Scotch-Irish settlers in the Shenandoah Valley. The Hollingsworth family held the land by 1732. A stone wing was added before 1801 for Jonah Hollingsworth, and his son David later built a brick addition that no longer exists. During David's tenure a stone mill was erected and a large lake with islands and summer houses was created. Mid-nineteenth-century alterations gave the doors and windows their present trim. Winchester bought the house in 1943, and the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society serves as custodian. The house has been restored and operates as a museum. It is recognized as the oldest house in Winchester and as a fine example of colonial stone architecture in the region.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the oldest house in Winchester and one of the oldest in the region, and an excellent example of colonial stone architecture in the Shenandoah Valley. It follows the central-hall, two-over-two plan used by Scotch-Irish settlers. It was also the seat of the Hollingsworth family, whose tract dates to the 1730s.
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 73002230, listed April 11, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Parkview St. and Rouss Spring Rd., Winchester (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Winchester |
| Listed | April 11, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002230 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (specific date 1754) |
| Architect / builder | Simon Taylor, stone mason; built for Isaac Hollingsworth |
| Architectural style | Eighteenth-century Shenandoah Valley farmhouse; central hall, two-over-two plan; Greek Revival stair |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored and functioning as a historic house museum owned by the City of Winchester; condition described as good, with the second floor altered for a custodian's living quarters. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 39.16926, -78.16054 (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 73002230.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16157871
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.