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National Register of Historic Places listings in Albemarle County, Virginia facts for kids

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Map of Virginia highlighting Albemarle County
Location of Albemarle County in Virginia

Welcome to Albemarle County, Virginia! This beautiful area is home to many important places that tell stories about the past. These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, areas, and landmarks that are super important to American history, architecture, or culture.

Albemarle County has a lot of these historic treasures. There are over 100 places here that are recognized on the National Register. This means they are protected and celebrated for their unique value. Among these, five are even more special: they are called National Historic Landmarks. These are places that have played a major role in the history of the entire United States!

Let's explore some of these amazing historic places in Albemarle County.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is added to this list, it means it's been carefully studied and found to be important. This can be because of its history, its design, or even who lived or worked there.

Why are these places important?

These historic places help us understand where we came from. They show us how people lived, worked, and built things long ago. Protecting them means future generations can also learn from and enjoy these connections to the past. It's like having a giant history book spread out across the landscape!

Famous Historic Landmarks in Albemarle County

Albemarle County is home to some truly iconic sites. Here are a few of the most famous ones, including the five National Historic Landmarks.

Monticello: Home of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello Estate
Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, is a National Historic Landmark.

One of the most famous places in Albemarle County is Monticello. This was the home of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence and was the third President of the United States. Jefferson designed Monticello himself, and it's a masterpiece of American architecture. It's located just south of Charlottesville and is a must-see for anyone interested in American history. Monticello became a National Historic Landmark on October 15, 1966.

The Rotunda at the University of Virginia

University of Virginia Rotunda
The Rotunda at the University of Virginia, another National Historic Landmark.

The University of Virginia in Charlottesville is another place full of history. Its most famous building is The Rotunda. Thomas Jefferson also designed this building, inspired by the Pantheon in ancient Rome. It was once the main library for the university. The Rotunda and the surrounding "Lawn" area are part of the University of Virginia Historic District, which is also a National Historic Landmark, recognized on October 15, 1966.

Shack Mountain: A Unique Home

Shack Mountain Albemarle County Virginia
Shack Mountain, known for its unique design.

Another special home is Shack Mountain, located north of Charlottesville. This house was also designed by Thomas Jefferson, though it was built for his friend, Francis Walker. It's known for its unique octagonal (eight-sided) rooms and beautiful views. It became a National Historic Landmark on September 1, 1976.

Ash Lawn–Highland: James Monroe's Farm

AshLawnHighland
Ash Lawn–Highland, the historic home of President James Monroe.

Near Monticello, you can find Ash Lawn–Highland, the historic home of James Monroe. He was the fifth President of the United States. Monroe lived here while serving in various government roles. The farm shows what life was like for a president in the early 1800s. It was added to the National Register on August 14, 1973, and is a National Historic Landmark.

Skyline Drive Historic District

DOYLES RIVER OVERLOOK, STUMP AND GRASS IN FOREGROUND. LOFT MOUNTAIN AND LITTLE FLAT MOUNTAIN IN BACKGROUND. LOOKING NORTHEAST, MILE 81.9. - Skyline Drive, From Front Royal, VA HAER VA,70-LURA.V,4-83
A scenic view from Skyline Drive.

Part of the famous Skyline Drive also runs through Albemarle County. This beautiful road winds through the Shenandoah National Park, offering stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was built during the Great Depression and is a great example of early park design. The entire Skyline Drive is a National Historic Landmark District, recognized on April 28, 1997.

Other Noteworthy Historic Places

Beyond the National Historic Landmarks, many other places in Albemarle County are important enough to be on the National Register. These include old homes, churches, schools, and even entire historic neighborhoods.

Historic Homes and Estates

Many grand old homes in Albemarle County are on the list. These include:

  • Advance Mills: A historic area at the junction of VA 743 and VA 641, listed in 2002.
  • The Aviator: A home at 575 Alderman Rd. in Charlottesville, listed in 2006.
  • Birdwood: A property at 500 Birdwood Dr. in Charlottesville, listed in 2003.
  • Boyd Tavern: An old tavern on VA 616 in Boyd Tavern, listed in 2009.
  • Castle Hill: A historic estate northeast of Cismont, listed in 1972.
  • Edgemont: A beautiful home southeast of Colesville, listed in 1980.
  • Farmington: West of Charlottesville, listed in 1970, known for its architecture.
  • Guthrie Hall: North of Esmont, listed in 1982.
  • High Meadows: Off VA 20 near Scottsville, listed in 1986.
  • Mirador: In Greenwood, listed in 1983, with a boundary increase in 2003.
  • Morven: West of Simeon, listed in 1973.
  • Mount Ida: East of VA 795, north of Scottsville, listed in 1987.
  • Plain Dealing: East of Keene, listed in 1980.
  • Redlands: Near Covesville, listed in 1969.

Historic Churches and Schools

Some important community buildings are also recognized:

  • Christ Church Glendower: On VA 713 near Keene, listed in 1971.
  • Cove Presbyterian Church: On US 29 in Covesville, listed in 1989.
  • Earlysville Union Church: Northwest of Earlysville, listed in 1997.
  • Emmanuel Church: On US 250 in Greenwood, listed in 1982.
  • Grace Church: Northeast of Cismont, listed in 1976.
  • Miller School of Albemarle: Southeast of Yancey Mills, listed in 1974, a historic school.
  • St. James Church: East of Owensville Road in Charlottesville, listed in 2013.

Historic Districts

These are entire areas or neighborhoods that are important because they show how a community grew over time.

  • Batesville Historic District: The area around the junction of County Roads 692 and 635, listed in 1999.
  • Covesville Historic District: Along the railroad tracks, US 29, Covesville Ln. & Boaz Rd., listed in 2005.
  • Crozet Historic District: Roughly around Railroad, St. George, and Crozet Aves., listed in 2012.
  • East Belmont: At the junction of VA 22 and VA 616 in Keswick, listed in 1999.
  • Greenwood-Afton Rural Historic District: A large rural area, listed in 2011 and updated in 2016.
  • Proffit Historic District: Around the junction of the Southern Railroad tracks and VA 649, listed in 1999.
  • Scottsville Historic District: Includes State Route 6 and areas along the James River, listed in 1976 and updated in 2004. It even extends into Fluvanna County.
  • Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District: A large district bounded by rivers and roads, listed in 2007.
  • Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District: Bounded by I-64, State Route 20, the Orange County line, and railroad tracks, listed in 1992.
  • Woolen Mills Village Historic District: An area in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, listed in 2010.

What Happened to Former Listings?

Sometimes, a property might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if the property is destroyed or if it changes so much that it no longer has its historic value. In Albemarle County, one property, Enniscorthy near Keene, was listed in 1992 but removed in 2001.

Images for kids

  • AdvanceMills FrayFarm

    Advance Mills

  • The aviator

    The Aviator

  • Birdwood and water tower

    Birdwood

  • Old Boyd Tavern (Albemarle County, Virginia)

    Boyd Tavern

  • Carrs hill

    Carr's Hill

  • Carrsbrook, South Fork River vicinity, Charlottesville vicinity (Albemarle County, Virginia)

    Carrsbrook

  • Castle Hill (1764) built by Thomas Walker

    Castle Hill

  • St. Anne's Episcopal Church near Keene

    Christ Church Glendower

  • George Rogers Clark by Robert Aitken (1921) (IAS VA000016)

    George Rogers Clark Sculpture

  • UVA Clark Hall

    Clark Hall, University of Virginia

  • CLIFFSIDE

    Cliffside

  • Cocke's Mill House

    Cocke's Mill House

  • Cove Presbyterian Church

    Cove Presbyterian Church

  • Covesville Store (2750097088)

    Covesville Historic District

  • Edgemont Albemarle County Virginia by Frances Benjamin Johnston

    Edgemont

  • Ednam

    Ednam House

  • Emmanuel Church Greenwood VA Nov 10

    Emmanuel Church

  • Esmont estate house

    Esmont

  • Estouteville ca 1919

    Estouteville

  • Farmington, U.S. Route 250 vicinity, Charlottesville vicinity (Albemarle County, Virginia)

    Farmington

  • Faulkner House

    Faulkner House

  • GraceChurchKeswick

    Grace Church

  • Guthrie Hall gate

    Guthrie Hall

  • HIGH MEADOWS

    High Meadows

  • Lewis Mountain seen from UVA

    Lewis Mountain

  • Mccormick observatory 1890

    Leander McCormick Observatory

  • UVAMemorialGym1

    Memorial Gymnasium

  • Miller School of Albemarle

    Miller School of Albemarle

  • Mirador Greenwood Albemarle County Virginia by Frances Benjamin Johnston 1926

    Mirador

  • Monroe Hill House UVa 2010 cropped

    Monroe Hill

  • Monticola near Howardsville Albemarle County Virginia by Frances Benjamin Johnston 1935

    Monticola

  • Morven

    Morven

  • Mount Ida Farm entrance

    Mount Ida

  • Mount Walla entrance

    Mount Walla

  • Mountain Grove gate

    Mountain Grove

  • Pine Knot fenceline and woods

    Pine Knot

  • Plain Dealing near Keene Albemarle County Virginia by Frances Benjamin Johnston 1933

    Plain Dealing

  • Proffit-historic-sign 0602

    Proffit Historic District

  • Ramsay Greenwood VA Nov 10

    Ramsay

  • The Rectory near Keene

    The Rectory

  • UVA house for ΧΦ

    Rugby Road-University Corner Historic District

  • Victory Hall (3497896583)

    Scottsville Historic District

  • Sunny Bank entrance

    Sunny Bank

  • University of Virginia 1856 (Bohn) color

    University of Virginia Historic District

  • Walker House near Warren

    Walker House

  • West Cote in Howardsville, Va

    West Cote

  • WOODBURN, CHARLOTTESVILLE, ALBEMARLE COUNTY

    Woodburn

  • Woolen Mills

    Woolen Mills Village Historic District

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