072-0095

Beaumont

VLR Listing Date

06/17/1986

NRHP Listing Date

04/02/1987

NRHP Reference Number

87000571

A handsome example of a Federal-period upper James River plantation house, Beaumont in Powhatan County has been cut off from public access since 1937 when the property became a boys’ reform school now known as Beaumont Learning Center, a high-security agency of the Virginia Department of Corrections. The house, originally the core of a 1,500-acre tract, was built in 1811 for William Walthall, one of Powhatan County’s wealthiest landowners and husband of Sally Michaux of a local Huguenot family. Following the traditional Virginia format, the two-story dwelling was embellished with a modillion cornice and a handsome pedimented doorway. A brick rear wing was added in 1840. Despite many years of institutional use, the house preserves early weatherboarding, an early portico, early sash, and finely detailed regional Federal interior trim. In recent years Beaumont has stood unoccupied, receiving minimal maintenance.

Last Updated: January 11, 2024

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

For additional information Read

Nomination Form

072-0015

Fighting Creek Plantation

Powhatan (County)

072-0055

Provost

Powhatan (County)

072-5018

Fine Creek Mills Historic District

Powhatan (County)