Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 06/06/2007
NRHP Listing Date 08/16/2007
NRHP Reference Number 07000826
Built in 1899, the W. N. Seay House occupies a prominent position atop a small ridge that is possibly the highest elevation in the city of Buena Vista. It is a handsome, large, Victorian house, with architectural features such as pointed shingles surrounding the house, a carved stair rail, and original stained glass in the entry door. W.N. Seay helped found the town of Buena Vista in Rockbridge County, where he established a planing mill in the late 1880s, and subsequently operated a funeral business and furniture store. Funerary records and account books survive, documenting his business activities between 1907 and 1915. Seay also served on the town council for 22 years following the town’s establishment, and belonged to several local fraternal orders. Upon his death in 1939, the Buena Vista News recognized him for 50 years of civic leadership. The house is now surrounded by the buildings of Southern Virginia University.
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: July 8, 2021
