Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 03/15/1977
NRHP Listing Date 01/30/1978
DHR's Virginia Board of Historic Resources easement
NRHP Reference Number 78003023
Burlington, a 700-acre plantation on the Mattaponi River, has been the property of the Gwathmey family since Owen Gwathmey II acquired the land in the mid-18th century. The tract is dominated by a small plateau providing panoramic views of surrounding countryside. On the plateau is an interesting two-part residence, the main portion of which is a stuccoed Classical Revival dwelling erected in 1842 by Dr. William Gwathmey. The rear wing is a section of a colonial frame dwelling built by the Burwell family. The wing has an original Georgian stair and other colonial woodwork. In the vicinity of the house is a 19th-century boxwood garden, an early smokehouse, the Gwathmey family cemetery, and an early barn that served as the original meetinghouse for Beaulah Baptist Church. The Burlington lands were probably originally occupied by Mattaponi Indians.
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 16, 2021
