Springfield is a Federal-style house dominating a level tract of land on the edge of the town of Heathsville in Northumberland County. Erected in 1828 by merchant William Harding, the house was enlarged and enriched by Harding in 1850, so that it now presents a blend of two different styles, forming one of the most imposing 19th-century houses on the Northern Neck. The stylistic contrast can be seen particularly on the interior where rich Greek Revival ceiling medallions add interest to the otherwise restrained Federal mantels and wainscoting. The main block of the house is framed by unusual stepped parapets on wings added in the 1850 remodeling. The present configuration of the portico, with it cast-iron railing, is also a product of the remodeling. Preserved on the grounds are an early office, a dairy, and a servant’s house. The gardens originally were embellished with a boxwood maze.
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