The original portion of Nelson County’s Elk Hill was built between 1790 and 1810. What appears today as a two-story house with a central hall is the result of a series of 19th-century additions and a major 1902 remodeling. The exact appearance of the original house is unknown, but it was probably one-story with end chimneys and an asymmetrical hall-parlor plan. A major Greek Revival renovation took place circa 1825, but the current appearance, including the grand entrance portico, was introduced in 1902. The architectural evolution of the house, reflecting increasing prosperity and changing trends in design and technology, is mirrored by the rich agricultural resources on the 138 acres, including an 18th-century smoke house and tobacco barn, 19th-century chicken house, outhouse, and crib barn, and early 20th-century garages. There are also ruins and foundations of other 18th-and 19th-century buildings, lending potential archaeological significance. One of the earliest extant farms in Nelson County, Elk Hill is an excellent example of regional agricultural and architectural evolution.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Programs
DHR has secured permanent legal protection for over 700 historic places - including 15,000 acres of battlefield lands
DHR has erected 2,532 highway markers in every county and city across Virginia
DHR has registered more than 3,317 individual resources and 613 historic districts
DHR has engaged over 450 students in 3 highway marker contests
DHR has stimulated more than $4.2 billion dollars in private investments related to historic tax credit incentives, revitalizing communities of all sizes throughout Virginia