Pear Valley, an Unknown Treasure on Virginia's Eastern Shore

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Pear Valley for a "private tour". When you see the small structure, you might ask yourself "And.....?" But the history that emanates from this building is amazing. It was exciting to see how people once lived, and you could feel the souls that occupied that house and worked the surrounding land.

Pear Valley is located in Eastville, Virginia, just 15 minutes from +Fig Street Inn. It's one of Northampton County's oldest landmarks and recently came under the tutelage of the Northampton Historic Preservation Society (NHPS).

It's not clear how it got its name, or who even built it for the Nottingham family, a common name here on the Eastern Shore. This yeoman's cottage dates back to 1740 and was occupied as late as the early 1900s. A yeoman was an independent, subsistence farmer who may have grown some crops for market.

One of the draws of Pear Valley is its unique architecture like its enormous chimney which spans the north gable end of the home and exhibits Flemish and Common bond brick laying techniques. Glazed header bricks form a chevron pattern that mirrors the slope of the roof. The other noticeable and notable feature is the tilted false plate and wooden peg joinery used on the roof. The wooden pegs also add a decorative element and are still intact.

Although these elements of high-quality craftsmanship were characteristic of the building techniques used in 1740, thirty-six years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Pear Valley is one of only two structures surviving in the state of Virginia that exhibit these now exceptional features. It is also one of only two U.S. National Historic Landmarks in Northampton County - the other being Eyre Hall which dates to 1760.

Pear Valley is currently open only by appointment, but we can make arrangements if it is something you want to experience on your visit to Cape Charles. Or you may contact NHPS directly at 757-999-1299 or visit their website at www.northamptonhistoricpreservationsociety.com.

Pear Valley is located off State Route 628 (Wilsonia Neck Drive) near Eastville, Virginia.