Walnut Hill (Lynchburg, Virginia) facts for kids
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Walnut Hill
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lawyers Rd., near Lynchburg, Virginia |
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| Area | 196 acres (79 ha) |
| Built | 1802, c. 1820; c. 1870; 1948-1950; 1984 |
| Built by | William Edward Leftwich, Jr.; Mr. Goad |
| Architectural style | Early Republic |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001724 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 27, 2000 |
Walnut Hill is a very old house in Campbell County, Virginia. It's special because of its beautiful Georgian style and the many buildings on its land. The house is important because its original parts are still standing. In 2000, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important historical sites.
The land where Walnut Hill stands was first owned by the Clark family. They received it as a gift from King George III long ago. The property also saw some action during the American Civil War. People say there was a "drill field" or training ground for soldiers at Walnut Hill during the war. It was located near Flat Creek on the property's lower ground.
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The History and Look of Walnut Hill
Walnut Hill is surrounded by open fields and woods, and it's close to Flat Creek. The house is a bit hidden from the main road. The main house is one and a half stories tall. It was built in different parts, starting in 1802.
How the House Grew Over Time
The oldest part of the house is a log cabin. It has a stone chimney inside and is now the south wing. Before 1820, a new section with two rooms was added to the north side. This became the main front part of the house. Over the years, the house changed a lot. You can see these changes in the different roof lines. Some smaller wings and porches were added, but they were later removed between 1948 and 1950. This was part of a big project to fix up and restore the house.
Inside Walnut Hill
Inside, Walnut Hill shows off its Georgian style. Many of its old features from the 1800s are still there. The older parts of the house have wooden floors and plaster walls. The fireplaces and arches are painted white and have fancy wooden frames. Much of the other woodwork was updated in the 1900s.
Other Buildings on the Property
Besides the main house, there are other old buildings on the property. These include a smokehouse, a chicken house, and an old kitchen chimney. There is also a family cemetery.
The Family Cemetery
There's a cemetery on the Walnut Hill property where 23 family members are buried. This cemetery is shaped like a rectangle and has a stone wall around it. It sits on a steep hill above the house. Many of the old gravestones also have smaller footstones. The style of the 18th-century gravestones looks more like those found in North Carolina than in Virginia. The cemetery is known for its unique style and the beautiful artwork on the monuments. We don't know who the stone carver was, but they were very skilled.
The Walnut Hill Family Story
The Walnut Hill house was first built for Samuel Moorman (born around 1771, died 1835) and his wife, Judith Clark Moorman (born around 1774, died 1868). They got married in 1796. Samuel's family, who were originally Quakers, moved to what is now Campbell County in the mid-1700s.
How the Land Was Acquired
Samuel bought 450 acres of land from the Goggin family. In 1805, he bought another 60 acres from his brother-in-law, Micajah, who lived next door. Samuel and Judith raised ten children. Judith lived 33 years longer than Samuel. She left the land to her daughter Lucy and Lucy's husband, Joel Breckenridge Leftwich. The Leftwich family has owned Walnut Hill ever since.
Joel Breckenridge Leftwich Sr.
Joel Breckenridge Leftwich Sr. was an important person in Campbell County. He was a member of the Virginia Legislature from 1859 to 1860. He also served as a Colonel of Reserves during the Civil War. A special plaque was placed at White's United Methodist Church in Campbell County to honor him for his work as a Sabbath School Superintendent. Joel Leftwich left Walnut Hill to his son, William Edward Leftwich (1852-1913).
