Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 11/19/1974
NRHP Listing Date 03/26/1975
NRHP Reference Number 75002110
Federal Hill is an architecturally formal late-18th-century dwelling which illustrates the sophistication that could be achieved with wood-frame construction. It was built ca. 1795 for Robert Brooke, governor of Virginia (1794-1796). Brooke called the property Federal Hill because of his strong support of the Federalist party. Consistent with the exterior is a spacious and elegant interior. The drawing room, occupying the entire north end of the first floor, features Doric pilasters, arched window alcoves, and a paneled chimneypiece with a scrolled pediment. The chimneypiece in the dining room opposite is ornamented with foliated consoles and unusual intertwining rope carving. The windows have friezes decorated with lattice carving. A rare early summerhouse with louvered sides and ogee-domed roof stands in the garden.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: February 20, 2021
