Must-See RVA! — Woodward House

3017 Williamsburg Avenue
Built, 1799
VDHR 127-0119

Another of the oldest houses in RVA.

The Woodward House is a frame two-and one-half-story dwelling set on a brick foundation with three exterior end chimneys… The structure, dating from the early days of the city, possibly was begun before Richmond’s incorporation in 1782 and has evolved through two significant periods of construction into its present form. The dwelling is set at a slight angle to the present road indicating the earlier alignment when the street was known as Bloody Run Road.

(VDHR)

Careful architectural examination reveals that the house’s core was a one-story frame structure set on a predominantly English bond foundation with excavated cellar, attic and a chimney at the east end. The simple floor plan consisted of one large room approximately 13 ½ feet by 14 ½ feet with a small hall to the west using the same depth and being 6 ½ feet wide. At least one door and window faced the river to the south but similar evidence for the north wall was removed by later construction. Indications of what was probably an enclosed stair to the attic floor exist at the southwest corner of the hall. The form is open to question as both gambrel and gable roofs were used in small houses from this period.

(LOC) — Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Richmond (1905)

Although the Woodward House has been recognized for many years as an early Richmond landmark, it was only recently that close examination and access to the interior was accomplished. The discovery of a late-eighteenth century core, significant early woodwork and the possibility of a period of construction concurrent with or predating the incorporation of the city, place the building in an unique position in the architectural history of the city.

October 2014

No other frame building in Richmond of similar age retains as much early trim as does this structure. Thus this simple frame dwelling easily outmatched in sophistication by other Richmond landmarks, mostly of a late date, stands as a rare architectural survival of early Richmond and as the last remnant of the busy maritime and mercantile community of Rocketts. (VDHR)

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