Meriwether House, Keswick, Albemarle County, Virginia

1998 Charles E. Peterson Prize, Entry
Significance: Cloverfields, one of the oldest farms located along the Southwest Mountain range, has been within the Meriwether family since 1730 when Nicholas Meriwether II received 18,000 acres in a land grant from King George II. The Greek Revival "Big House" was built between 1847-1848 to replace the first house dating from 1760. The two-story frame residence was constructed by Francis Kinloch Nelson, second husband of Margaret Douglas Meriwether, whose father corresponded with Thomas Jefferson on horticultural matters. Nelson managed 745 acres and continued improvements on the farm, the house and its dependencies. The support buildings were integral to the extensive farming operations which yielded crops of wheat, corn and tobacco, among others. Directly to the rear of the house is the nine-square vegetable and flower garden and the family cemetery. This layout is reminiscent of Palladian landscapes with their concern for topography and allowed for an unobstructed view of the distant mountains. Still in operation by the Meriwether family, Cloverfields exemplifies a tradition of Virginia farm life of over two centuries.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N732
Survey number: HABS VA-1358
Building/structure dates: 1847-1848 Initial Construction