Bellair (Virginia)

Bellair
Entrance to the estate
LocationCounty Route 708 south side, 3.8 miles (6.1 km) east of the junction with VA 20, near Charlottesville, Virginia
Coordinates37°53′12″N 78°31′21″W / 37.88667°N 78.52250°W / 37.88667; -78.52250
ArchitectMarshall S. Wells
Architectural styleColonial Revival, Federal
NRHP reference No.92001372[1]
VLR No.002-0002
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1992
Designated VLRDecember 11, 1991[2]

Bellair, in Albemarle County, Virginia, is a historic farm. The farm is significant for the architecture of its buildings and for its association with owners important in the political, religious, and economic life of the state. A 250-acre portion of the farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.[1][3]

Martin Dawson, owner in 1819, was a co-founder of the Rivanna Navigation Company and eventually became the largest donor to the University of Virginia up to the time of his bequest.[3]

Its southern boundary is the Hardware River.[3]

The main house on the property is a Federal-style building with dual chimneys dating from 1794 to 1817 period.[3]

Architect Marshall S. Wells designed and/or supervised some Colonial Revival style additions in the 1930s and there was further addition of a Palladian window and more in the 1960s.[3]

A smokehouse is one additional contributing building on the property.

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e Geoffrey Henry (August 1992). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Bellair" (PDF). and Accompanying three photos