Old Custom House
Also known as: VDHR fileNo. 0990004
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Why it's listed
At the corner of Main and Read Streets in Yorktown stands a two-and-a-half-story brick building known as the Old Custom House. Merchant Richard Ambler probably began it soon after buying the lot in 1721, and it was built as a storehouse for his trade. Ambler served as Collector of Customs for the York River district from 1724 until his death in 1766, which gave the building its name. It is regarded as one of two surviving brick colonial storehouses in Virginia. Over the centuries it was a doctor's office, a school, a bank branch, a barbershop, a residence and military quarters. After the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the DAR bought it in 1924, Richmond architect W. Duncan Lee directed a restoration in 1929-1930. His work included a new roof, a rebuilt chimney, a side porch, a surrounding brick wall, a kitchen and a necessary. The building is valued both as colonial commercial architecture and as an example of Colonial Revival restoration.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is an excellent example of a surviving brick colonial storehouse, one of two in Virginia, and served as an early colonial custom house. It is also a good example of the 1929-1930 Colonial Revival restoration by Richmond architect W. Duncan Lee. It reflects the prosperity of the Ambler family and the commercial importance of Yorktown.
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 99000682, listed June 3, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Main and Read Sts., Yorktown |
|---|---|
| County | York County |
| Listed | June 3, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000682 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1721 ca.-1930 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built by Richard Ambler c. 1721; 1929 restoration by architect W. Duncan Lee and contractor E. C. Wilkinson) |
| Architectural style | Colonial; Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a meeting hall; the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the DAR restored it in 1929-1930 and added mechanical updates later. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.23439, -76.50772 (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 99000682.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7083806
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.