Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 03/17/1981
NRHP Listing Date 07/08/1982
DHR's Virginia Board of Historic Resources easement
NRHP Reference Number 82004568
The Loudoun County Agricultural Institute and Chemical Academy erected this large but plain building ca. 1854 for its Institute Farm, the first agricultural school in the Commonwealth and one of the first schools of scientific agronomy in the United States. The institute was a precursor for the agricultural colleges that would be established under federal auspices with the passage of the Morrill Act in 1862. From the late 18th century, Loudoun’s citizens had pioneered in agricultural experimentation, and the school’s founders included a number of larger landholders and agriculturalists. Despite its pioneering aspirations, the school failed to thrive and folded in 1860. Since 1916 it has been the headquarters of the National Beagle Club of America. Facing the Institute building is a series of rustic log cabins built to house the club’s members during the annual beagle field trials.
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 15, 2021
