Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 07/21/1987
NRHP Listing Date 08/21/1989
NRHP Reference Number 89001107
In its present form, North Bend is among Charles City County’s few examples of builder’s Greek Revival. The original portion was built in 1819 for John Minge, member of one of the county’s landed families. In 1843 North Bend was acquired by Thomas H. Wilcox, who in 1853-55 transformed the vernacular dwelling into a double-pile Greek Revival-style plantation house, using decorative details based on designs in Asher Benjamin’s architectural pattern books. Some of the woodwork retains original painted wood graining and marbleizing. Although updated with the remodeling, the five-bay, hipped-roof scheme maintained a traditional Georgian format. In 1865 North Bend was used as headquarters of Union Gen. Philip Sheridan before his 30,000 men crossed the James River to join the siege of Petersburg. Included on the North Bend plantation are several interesting farm buildings, including an early dairy and smokehouse.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: April 26, 2022
