Newtown Historic District (Newtown, Virginia) Explained

Newtown Historic District
Nrhp Type:hd
Nocat:yes
Designated Other1:Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated Other1 Date:March 17, 1981[1]
Designated Other1 Number:049-0145
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Location:VA 721 and 625, Newtown, Virginia
Coordinates:37.9131°N -77.1303°W
Architecture:Federal
Added:October 29, 1982
Refnum:82001821

Newtown Historic District is a national historic district located at Newtown, King and Queen County, Virginia, United States. About 45 miles northeast of Richmond on the Middle Peninsula, Newtown took the name of the plantation of Captain John Richards, who had a store and ordinary (tavern/inn) on the post road (or King's Highway) between Williamsburg, Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Earlier, it had been the junction of native American Chiskiack trails along the ridge above the York River and trails northeast and northwest. Although many revolutionary-era soldiers from Newtown left the area, the town became known for its private schools, as well as several resident physicians and merchants. Several large plantations surrounded the crossroads, but the county seat was located at King and Queen Courthouse. Newtown became strategically important during the American Civil War, although not a battleground, and in June 1863 Confederate General George Pickett gathered his division in Newtown before departing for the Battle of Gettysburg.

Since its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, 1982 the district encompasses 22 contributing buildings, 1 contributing site, and 1 contributing structure. The residences are detached, single-family farmhouses of frame construction and range from to 2 stories in height. The district also includes a frame grocery store (1922) and family cemetery.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 5 June 2013.
  2. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Newtown Historic District . Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff . March 1981. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying photo and Accompanying map