Designed by Lynchburg architect Stanhope Johnson, Gallison Hall is one of Virginia’s important 20th-century country houses. Dramatically approached through ornamental iron gates, down a tree-lined drive, the many-sectioned mansion presents an idealized image of Virginia’s colonial style. The original owners, Mr. and Mrs. Julio Suarez-Galban, spent many years touring Virginia’s historic homes, noting their favorite features, and had Johnson incorporate these into the design. Specific references to Westover, Stratford Hall, Shirley, Gunston Hall, the Nelson House, and Gadsby’s Tavern are thus found in various parts of the house. Conspicuous exterior elements are the clustered chimney stacks, based on those at Bacon’s Castle. The attention to detail is evident not only in the design but in the fine craftsmanship of the exterior masonry and interior woodwork. Virginia landscape architect Charles F. Gillette designed Gallison Hall’s garden.

Gallison Hall, located in the Farmington area of Albemarle County, was listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. In the original nomination the primary dwelling’s distinctive staircase with molded handrail, corkscrew newel post with square cap, and corkscrew balusters is alleged to be based on a staircase at Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria. Additional documentation was submitted to the National Park Service demonstrated that the design of the staircases at Gallison Hall (and his own dwelling in Lynchburg, Brookside), are the work of Stanhope Johnson, and inspired by the New England staircase display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
[NRHP Approved: 10/6/2020]