National Register Listing

Perry Hill

VA 56, Saint Joy, VA
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The first slave ship to arrive in the American colonies landed in Virginia in 1619. Virginia became a center of the transatlantic slave trade, and by 1860, Virginia had the largest population of enslaved people in the United States.
Virginia random facts
Buckingham County, located in the central part of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has a rich and fascinating history that stretches back centuries. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Monacan and Mannahoac peoples. European settlers began exploring the area in the 17th century, with English colonists arriving in the early 18th century.

The county was formally established in 1761 and named after the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby. It quickly developed into a bustling agricultural region, with tobacco becoming a major cash crop. Slavery was prevalent in Buckingham County during this time, with numerous plantations and enslaved populations supporting the local economy.

During the American Civil War, Buckingham County played a significant role. Its strategic location near major Confederate supply routes and transportation networks made it a target for both Union troops and Confederate raiders. Several skirmishes and battles were fought in the county, leaving lasting scars on the local landscape.

In the 20th century, Buckingham County experienced various economic shifts. The decline of tobacco farming and the subsequent rise of other agricultural industries, such as dairy farming and lumber production, shaped the county's economy. Today, Buckingham County continues to be an important agricultural region, while also embracing tourism and renewable energy projects as part of its diverse economic portfolio.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Buckingham County, Virginia.

  • 1761 - Buckingham County is established in the Colony of Virginia.
  • 1778 - The county courthouse is constructed.
  • 1809 - The town of New Canton is incorporated.
  • 1822 - Construction of the Buckingham-Appomattox Turnpike, a major road connecting Richmond and Lynchburg, begins.
  • 1846 - The Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute is founded.
  • 1865 - Buckingham County is impacted by the American Civil War.
  • 1872 - A fire destroys the courthouse, leading to its reconstruction the following year.
  • 1908 - The Virginia State Penitentiary, also known as the State Farm, is established.
  • 1938 - The town of Dillwyn is incorporated.
  • 1992 - An F3 tornado strikes Buckingham County, causing significant damage.
  • 2010 - The population of Buckingham County is recorded to be 17,146.