Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 12/13/1988
NRHP Listing Date 11/09/1989
NRHP Reference Number 89001793
Effingham is one of several large tobacco plantations established during the 18th century in the fertile area of southern Prince William County. The original owner was William Alexander of King George County, great-grandson of John Alexander for whom the city of Alexandria was named. William Alexander served as a member of the Prince William Committee of Safety and was a lieutenant colonel in the county militia. He purchased the Effingham property in 1777 and presumably built the house soon after. A Tidewater-style plantation house, the frame structure has a double-pile, center-passage plan with exterior chimneys connected by pent closets. The interior has sections of early trim and paneling. The several early outbuildings on the Effingham property include a rare stone blacksmith shop, a smokehouse, and a slave quarters. Terraces of an extensive early formal garden descend in front of the south elevation.
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: June 28, 2022
