Lynnhaven House facts for kids
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Wishart–Boush House
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4409 Wishart Rd., Virginia Beach, Virginia |
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| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Built | c. 1725 |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000363 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 12, 1969 |
The Lynnhaven House is a really old and special home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was built around 1725. This house is a great example of how homes were built in the Tidewater Virginia area during the 1700s.
You might also hear it called the Wishart–Boush House, Wishart House, or Boush House. It got the name Lynnhaven House because it's very close to the Lynnhaven River. When it was first built, the house was part of a huge 250-acre farm. Today, it sits on about five and a half acres.
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Who Lived in the Lynnhaven House?
The Lynnhaven House was built by a man named Francis Thelaball. He was a farmer who owned a medium-sized plantation. The house shows us what life was like for middle-class farmers, not just the very rich ones.
Francis lived here with his wife, Abigail, and their five sons. They also had an apprentice and several enslaved people living in the house from 1725 to 1727. Not much is known about Francis and Abigail, but we know more about Francis's cousin, Joyce Langley Thelaball.
Cool Features of the House
The people who built the Lynnhaven House cared a lot about how it looked and how well it was made. You can see this in many details. For example, the house has special brick arches above the windows called "jack arches."
Inside, there's a unique staircase with a "teardrop pendant" design. The floors were built using a method called "ship's lap," which means the wood planks overlap. These details show that the builder was skilled and artistic.
A Nearby Cemetery
Behind the historic Lynnhaven House, there's a small cemetery. Some of the graves there are from the time of the American Revolutionary War. This burial ground belongs to the Boush family, who once owned the house. That's why the house is sometimes called the Boush House.
Saving the Lynnhaven House
The Lynnhaven House was a private home until 1971. Then, an organization called Preservation Virginia bought it. This group works to protect old and important places in Virginia.
Later, the City of Virginia Beach took over caring for the property. What's amazing is that the house hasn't changed much over the years. Experts believe that about 85% of the original building materials are still there! This makes it one of the best-preserved buildings from the 1700s in the whole country.
A National Historic Landmark
The Lynnhaven House is very important to American history. It is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. It's also considered a National Historic Landmark. This means it's recognized as a place that has special meaning to the history of the United States. It was added to the National Register in 1969.
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