Historic Property Name: Upper Wolfsnare Plantation, 1999-1

Location: 2040 Potter's Road

GPIN Number: 24073419250000

Legal Property Owner: Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society

General Information

• Construction Date: 1759
• Outbuildings: No
• Acreage of Site: +/- 3 acres
• Architect or Builder: Thomas Walke III
• Historical Use: Home of Thomas Walke III's Heirs
• Present Use: Museum, Houses Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society

Architectural Description:

The home known as Upper Wolfsnare Plantation stands three-stories tall and three bays wide. Constructed in the Georgian style of architecture, the original red brick walls were painted white in the 20th Century and are laid in the Flemish bond. The home features a gable roof and two interior end chimneys. The second story windows are six over six double hung wooden sash, while the first floor windows are a larger twelve over twelve on the south fa?ade and nine over nine on the north fa?ade. The interior of the home features a central passage running the length of the home with rooms flanking it. The first floor passage retains its wooden wainscoting, which is hand carved and believed to be original. The stairway runs from the cellar to the attic and is located at the rear of the central passage. The parlor also retains its original wainscoting and flooring. The home sits on a full cellar with both interior and exterior entrances.

History:

Construction on the home began in 1759 by Thomas Walke III. He died two years later with an estate of 7,000 acres, 55 slaves, livestock and interests in two stores and a sloop. The property passed down through three generations to Thomas IV, who was elected as a delegate to the Virginia state convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1788 from Princess Anne County. Today the home is open to the public as a museum during limited hours and houses the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society. This home is listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a Virginia Beach Historic and Cultural District.