Grassdale (Trevilians, Virginia) facts for kids
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Grassdale
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Distant view from U.S. Route 15
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | W of Trevilians off U.S. Route 15, near Trevilians, Virginia |
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| Area | 170 acres (69 ha) |
| Built | 1861 |
| Built by | James M. Morris, Jr. Maj. Calvin Crebbs (master carpenter) |
| Architectural style | Italian Villa |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002035 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1973 |
Grassdale is a large, old house in Louisa County, Virginia. It was built in 1861 and has a special style called Italianate. This style was popular in Italy and then came to America. Grassdale is known for being very big and fancy for a house in a quiet, rural area.
The house was built by James Maury Morris, Jr. His family was very important in Louisa County. His grandfather, Colonel Richard Morris, owned a nearby plantation called Green Springs. Grassdale is now part of the Green Springs National Historic Landmark District. This district helps protect the old houses and beautiful landscapes in the area.
What Grassdale Looks Like
Grassdale is a two-story house made of brick. It has a unique T-shape when you look at it from above. A wide porch, called a veranda, wraps around the front and part of the side of the house.
The outside of the house has many decorative brackets. These are fancy supports that look like they hold up the roof and porch. They are different sizes to fit the main house and the porch. One part of the house sticks out like a separate section, and it has its own porch too.
Inside, the house has a main hallway in the middle. There's a room on each side of this hall. A second hallway crosses the first one and has a staircase. The dining room is at the back of the house. The main hallway has special columns and decorations that separate it from the cross hall. The large windows in the main rooms can open all the way up. They slide into a hidden space in the wall above.
Around the house, there are also other old buildings. These include a smokehouse, which was used to preserve meat. There is also a two-story kitchen building.
A Look at Grassdale's Past
James Maury Morris Jr. received the Grassdale property in 1844. He got it from his father, Dr. James Maury Morris Sr. There were other buildings on the land before the current house was built in 1861.
James Jr. passed away in 1872. He left Grassdale to his wife. Later, their daughter, Imogene, inherited the house. Imogene was married to Rear Admiral David Watson Taylor. He was famous for his work in naval affairs and ship design. His family connections were also well-known.
In 1943, Imogene sold Grassdale to a company called Walton Lumber Company.
Grassdale was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 2, 1973. This means it's recognized as an important historical place. It is also part of the larger Green Springs National Historic Landmark District. This district helps protect many historic homes and the beautiful countryside around them.
