Camden (Port Royal, Virginia)

Camden
Nearest city Port Royal, Virginia
Coordinates 38°09′47.62″N 77°09′41.02″W / 38.1632278°N 77.1613944°WCoordinates: 38°09′47.62″N 77°09′41.02″W / 38.1632278°N 77.1613944°W
Built 1857
Architect Norris G. Starkweather
Architectural style Italian Villa
Governing body Private
NRHP Reference # 69000228
VLR # 016-0004
Significant dates
Added to NRHP November 12, 1969[1]
Designated NHL November 11, 1971[2]
Designated VLR September 9, 1969, July 15, 1986[3]

Camden is an Italian Villa-style house on the Rappahannock River just downriver of Port Royal, Virginia. It was built during 1857-1859. During the American Civil War, a Union gunboat shot the top off of its tower, which has not been replaced.[4]

Description

Camden is a two-story frame house in a pure Italianate style, clad with flush siding that was originally treated to resemble stone. The tower base projects from the front, with a semicircular porch surrounding its base, looking out over the Rappahannock River. The first floor includes a central hall, library, dining room, parlor and a main-level bedroom. The parlor retains its original Victorian rococo furnishings.

History

Camden was built on the site of an earlier house belonging to the Pratt family that dated to 1760. William Carter Pratt demolished this house around 1856 to use the prominent site for a new house. He engaged Baltimore architect Norris G. Starkwether, with construction stating in 1857, completed in 1859. Up-to-date in style and technology, the house was equipped with central heating and cooling, gas lights and running water. A private gas works was installed to generate gas for the lights. The house's tower was destroyed by a hit from a Union gunboat in late November 1862 and never restored.[4]

The site is significant as the home of a Native American family of the late 17th century, where iron trade tools and silver medals have been found.

Designation

Camden was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971.[2][4]

It is located on the southeast bank of the Rappahannock River, .5 miles north of the intersection of Camden Road and United States Route 17.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Camden". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  3. ↑ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginiaa Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Staff, Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, James W. Moody, Jr., Director (July 29, 1969). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Camden" (pdf). National Park Service (scanned version available at Virginia DHR).
  5. ↑ While NRHP document describes location relative to VA 686 's intersection with US 17, it is apparent on Google maps that this section of 686 is now called Camden Road.

External links