Windsor Castle Farm is an excellent example of a colonial tidewater Virginia farm which was remodeled in the Greek Revival style c 1840. Though architectural evidence of its colonial origins remains, a precise date of construction has not been established. It is known to have been in existence by 1750 when Arthur Smith IV laid out the neighboring town of Smithfield. The Georgian center hall, double pile plan remains, however significant Greek Revival trim and detailing attest to the later remodeling. The abstracted Greek key fret work beneath the stair treads bas a level of sophistication that points to pattern books such as those by Asher Benjamin. Unfortunately, however, no published prototype for this trim bas been identified to date. It is not unreasonable to assume that the proliferation of pattern books such as Benjamin's, which championed Greek Revival style and detailing in the early nineteenth century, could have influenced Windsor Castle's remodeling either directly or indirectly. The relatively late transformation of Windsor Castle from a colonial dwelling to a Greek Revival one and the juxtaposition of the new style on an existing colonial house complete with a Georgian plan is typical of the movement of the Greek Revival in the rural south.
The nomination for Windsor Castle Farm was prepared by Mary Ruffin Hanbury. It was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in June 2000 and on the National Register of Historic Places in August 2000.
To read the nomination, go to http://dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/IsleofWight/300-5033_Windsor_Castle_Farm_2000_Final_Nomination.pdf