123-0102

William McKenney House

VLR Listing Date

12/12/1989

NRHP Listing Date

12/06/1990

NRHP Reference Number

90001830

Overlooking Poplar Lawn Park, the William McKenney House is Petersburg’s most extravagant example of the Queen Anne style. Designed by Maj. Harrison Waite, the city’s leading architect of the time, the twenty-three-room mansion was completed in 1890. The finely articulated façade is dominated by a three-story circular tower with a conical roof. Inside is a rich display of Victorian artistry: elaborately carved woodwork in oak, cherry, and mahogany; a built-in china press and sideboard; and ten fireplaces, six of which are decorated with Italian tiles. Many of the original plumbing fixtures and combination gas-electric light fixtures remain. Commissioned by William McKenney, a prosperous Petersburg attorney, the house was later owned by David Dunlop, III, a tobacco manufacturer. William Totty, a luggage manufacturer, also once lived here. A recent restoration has returned the dwelling’s former splendor.

Last Updated: June 2, 2023

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

123-0009

William R. McKenney Memorial Building

Petersburg (Ind. City)

123-5505

Walnut Hill Historic District

Petersburg (Ind. City)

123-0114-0002

Jarratt House

Petersburg (Ind. City)