Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 12/11/1990
NRHP Listing Date 01/25/1991
NRHP Reference Number 90002205
The tiny vernacular Rochester House is a rare surviving example of a mid-18th-century hall-plan farm dwelling, a prevalent house type in Tidewater Virginia in the colonial period. Employing a sturdy braced-frame system, the 20′ X 16′ structure has but two bays and one main room, with a full basement and what was originally a finished loft, used as the chamber. A conspicuous feature, and one indicating that the house was of above-average quality, is the large exterior chimney with its T-shaped stack. The property was acquired by the English immigrant Nicholas Rochester in 1689. The present house was built by his son William, a successful planter. William’s grandson, John Rochester, was influential in Westmoreland County affairs, holding positions in the militia, the church, and local government. John’s younger brother, Nathaniel, settled in New York state and founded the city of Rochester.
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: August 9, 2022
