Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 06/17/1980
NRHP Listing Date 11/25/1980
DHR's Virginia Board of Historic Resources easement
NRHP Reference Number 80004169
At one time the largest clay pipe factory in America, supplying a national and international market with one million pipes a month as late as 1935, the Pamplin Pipe Factory preserves not only its large round kiln and connected chimney but the archaeological remains of several consecutive periods of clay pipe manufacture. Clay pipes, similar to those used by Virginia Indians in prehistoric times, were made here on a regular commercial basis until the factory closed in 1952. The property now serves as a museum. Further study and archaeological examination could reveal additional information on the evolution of pipe-manufacturing technology. It also may determine whether there is truth in the folk tradition that pipe making occurred on the site as early as the contact-period (c. 1607 to 1776).
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: October 15, 2021
