322-0011

Washington Historic District

VLR Listing Date

04/15/1975

NRHP Listing Date

05/28/1975

NRHP Reference Number

75002033

In the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town of Washington in Rappahannock County is perhaps the best preserved of the Piedmont’s county seat communities. Its name honors George Washington, who platted the grid plan in 1749. The community was incorporated in 1796, at which time it received its present name. It became a county seat in 1833 when Rappahannock County was established. Although most of its buildings, both commercial and residential, follow regional vernacular patterns, the district has several architecturally prominent structures. The chief landmark, the 1833 Roman Revival courthouse, was built by Malcolm F. Crawford, who had worked at the University of Virginia. Adjacent is a cluster of mid-19th century county structures including the clerk’s office, treasurer’s office, and jail. The Washington Historic District’s main vernacular structure is the Washington House Tavern, a rambling early 19th century building.

Thirty-one years after the listing of the Washington Historic District in the state and national registers, an amendment to the 1975 nomination was made that extended the period of significance from the 18th and 19th centuries to 1945; the district’s boundary, however, was not altered.
[Updated Nomination VLR Approved: 9/6/2006; NRHP Approved: 11/21/2006]

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

2006 Updated Nomination

078-5187

Washington School

Rappahannock (County)

078-5141

Ben Venue Rural Historic District

Rappahannock (County)

078-5095

Locust Grove/R.E. Luttrell Farmstead

Rappahannock (County)