🏛️🐾 Thoroughgood House in Virginia Beach, VA – A 300-Year-Old Colonial Home With a Surprising History!

Simba and I visited the historic Thoroughgood House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, one of the oldest surviving colonial homes in the region! Built around 1719, this remarkable brick residence has stood for more than 300 years, preserving an extraordinary connection to early American history, colonial architecture, and the development of what would eventually become Virginia Beach.

Located at 1636 Parish Road near the Lynnhaven River, the Thoroughgood House is a National Historic Landmark surrounded by beautiful landscaped grounds and gardens. Its steeply pitched roof, enormous brick chimneys, distinctive windows, and centuries-old masonry create an appearance that seems almost frozen in time. Walking around the exterior of this historic property offers a fascinating opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship and architectural traditions of colonial Virginia.

What makes the house especially interesting is that its history contains a surprising discovery. For many years, historians believed the surviving residence had been constructed in 1636 by Adam Thoroughgood, an English colonist who became one of the area's most influential early landowners. If that date had been correct, the building would have ranked among the oldest surviving English colonial residences in America.

However, modern archaeological investigations and scientific analysis revealed that the house was actually constructed around 1719, nearly 80 years after Adam Thoroughgood died! Researchers now believe the residence was built by his great-grandson, Argall Thorowgood II, with construction completed by his wife, Susannah, following his death.

Despite the revised construction date, the Thoroughgood House remains one of Virginia Beach's most important historic landmarks. Its remarkable survival, unusual architectural features, and connection to generations of colonial residents make it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in early American history.

For Simba and me, this was another opportunity to explore a remarkable piece of Virginia's past and discover the stories hidden behind a building that has witnessed more than three centuries of change!

🏡 Discovering the Historic Thoroughgood House

The Thoroughgood House stands in the historic Thoroughgood area of Virginia Beach, not far from the Lynnhaven River. Today, the property is surrounded by residential development, but the preserved house and landscaped grounds provide a glimpse into a much earlier period when this part of southeastern Virginia consisted largely of farms, plantations, waterways, and scattered colonial settlements.

The residence is particularly notable for its age and architectural character. Constructed around 1719, it represents a period when wealthy colonial families were beginning to build more substantial and permanent homes using brick rather than relying exclusively on timber construction. The house's steep roof, prominent chimneys, and traditional masonry reflect building practices that were common in England and adapted to the conditions of colonial Virginia.

Unlike many historic landmarks that have been heavily reconstructed, the Thoroughgood House retains an important connection to its original building materials and structural design. Although the property has undergone alterations and restoration over the centuries, the surviving residence remains a valuable example of early 18th-century architecture.

The surrounding gardens and landscaped grounds also contribute to the experience. They create an attractive setting for the historic house while providing visitors with an opportunity to appreciate the building from different perspectives.

⛵ Adam Thoroughgood – From Indentured Servant to Colonial Landowner

The story behind the Thoroughgood House begins with Adam Thoroughgood, an English colonist who arrived in Virginia during the 1620s. Born in England, Thoroughgood came to the colony as an indentured servant, entering a labor arrangement in which an individual agreed to work for a specified period in exchange for transportation and other provisions.

Indentured servitude was common during the early decades of English settlement in Virginia. Many immigrants lacked the resources to pay for passage across the Atlantic and instead entered contracts requiring several years of labor. Although conditions could be difficult, some individuals who completed their service eventually acquired land and established independent livelihoods.

Thoroughgood became one of those successful former servants. After completing his obligation, he accumulated property, developed business interests, and established himself as an influential member of colonial society. His growing wealth and political connections eventually helped him become one of the important figures associated with the early development of the region.

His rise from indentured servant to prominent landowner is a striking example of the opportunities available to some European colonists, although those opportunities existed within a colonial society marked by major inequalities and the increasing exploitation of enslaved labor.

⚖️ Adam Thoroughgood and Virginia's House of Burgesses

As Adam Thoroughgood's influence grew, he became involved in colonial government and served in Virginia's House of Burgesses, one of the earliest representative legislative institutions established in English North America.

The House of Burgesses originated in 1619 and became an important part of Virginia's colonial government. Its members represented local communities and participated in decisions involving taxation, public administration, and other matters affecting the colony.

Serving in this institution reflected Thoroughgood's position within colonial society. Political participation during this period was limited, and prominent landowners often held considerable influence over local government and economic affairs.

Thoroughgood's political career also connected him to the broader development of English settlement in Virginia. During the early 17th century, the colony was expanding beyond its original settlements, and influential landowners played important roles in establishing new communities, transportation routes, and agricultural operations.

Although the surviving Thoroughgood House was constructed long after his death, the building preserves his family's name and serves as a reminder of the influence he and his descendants had on the region.

🌎 The 1635 Land Grant That Helped Shape Virginia Beach

One of Adam Thoroughgood's most significant accomplishments occurred in 1635, when he obtained a large land grant in the area that would eventually become Virginia Beach. His holdings grew to thousands of acres along the Lynnhaven River, establishing a substantial family presence in what was then a developing colonial landscape.

Land grants were central to the expansion of English settlement in Virginia. Colonial authorities awarded property to individuals who met certain requirements, including those associated with financing transportation for new settlers. These grants encouraged agricultural development and the establishment of plantations throughout the region.

Thoroughgood's property became part of the foundation for an early colonial community along the Lynnhaven waterways. The surrounding rivers and creeks provided transportation routes, access to natural resources, and connections to other settlements in southeastern Virginia.

However, the expansion of English landownership also occurred on territory previously occupied and used by Indigenous peoples. The development of colonial plantations transformed existing landscapes and contributed to the displacement and disruption of Native communities.

Understanding the Thoroughgood family's history therefore requires recognizing both the growth of English settlement and the broader consequences of colonization for the people who already inhabited the region.

🌊 How the Lynnhaven River Got Its Name

One of the interesting connections between Adam Thoroughgood and modern Virginia Beach is the name Lynnhaven, which remains familiar throughout the area today. The name reflects Thoroughgood's connections to King's Lynn in Norfolk, England, the region associated with his origins.

English colonists frequently named settlements, rivers, and geographic features after places in their homeland. These names helped establish familiar cultural connections in an unfamiliar environment and often reflected the backgrounds of influential settlers.

The Lynnhaven River became an important geographic feature in the development of the surrounding communities. Its tidal waterways provided access to transportation, fishing, and other natural resources, while nearby land supported agricultural activities.

Today, the Lynnhaven name appears throughout Virginia Beach, including neighborhoods, roads, businesses, and public landmarks. Many residents encounter the name regularly without necessarily knowing its connection to one of the region's earliest prominent English colonists.

The Thoroughgood House helps preserve that historical relationship between the area's colonial origins and the names that remain part of the modern landscape.

🕰️ The Mystery of the House's Original Construction Date

For much of the 20th century, the Thoroughgood House was believed to have been built in 1636, during Adam Thoroughgood's lifetime. This traditional date made the property seem especially extraordinary because very few English colonial residences from the 1630s have survived in the United States.

The early construction date became an important part of the house's reputation, and the building was widely associated with Adam Thoroughgood himself. Visitors and historians understood it as a rare surviving example of architecture from the first decades of permanent English settlement in Virginia.

However, historical buildings can be difficult to date accurately, especially when written records are incomplete or later generations repeat assumptions about their origins. Architectural styles, construction materials, and family traditions can provide useful clues, but they do not always establish an exact date.

As researchers examined the property more closely, questions emerged about whether the surviving house was truly as old as previously believed. Modern scientific techniques eventually provided evidence that significantly changed the accepted history of the building.

🔬 Archaeology and Tree-Ring Dating Reveal a Surprising Truth

Modern investigations into the Thoroughgood House included archaeological research and dendrochronology, a scientific technique commonly known as tree-ring dating. This method examines patterns in the annual growth rings of wood to help determine when the trees used in a building were cut.

Because trees produce growth rings that reflect environmental conditions, researchers can compare patterns in historic timber with established regional chronologies. When suitable samples survive, this technique can provide valuable evidence about the age of a building's original wooden components.

At the Thoroughgood House, scientific analysis helped establish that the surviving structure was constructed around 1719, rather than the traditionally accepted date of 1636. This meant the residence was approximately 80 years younger than historians had long believed.

The discovery also revealed that Adam Thoroughgood could not have built the surviving house, because he died in 1640. Instead, the building belonged to a later generation of his family.

Although the revised date changed the property's historical interpretation, it did not diminish its importance. A brick residence surviving from the early 18th century is still an extraordinary architectural treasure, particularly in a region that has experienced centuries of development and environmental change.

👨‍👩‍👦 Argall Thorowgood II and the House Built Around 1719

Researchers now believe the surviving Thoroughgood House was constructed by Argall Thorowgood II, a great-grandson of Adam Thoroughgood. The family name appears in historical records with variations in spelling, including Thoroughgood and Thorowgood, reflecting the less standardized spelling practices of earlier centuries.

Argall belonged to a later generation of the family that had established itself in the region during the 1600s. By the early 18th century, prosperous colonial landowners increasingly favored substantial brick residences that reflected their social position and provided more durable accommodations than many earlier timber structures.

Construction of the house is believed to have begun during Argall's lifetime, with his wife, Susannah, completing the project following his death. This detail adds a personal dimension to the building's history, demonstrating how major construction projects could continue across changes in family circumstances.

The completed residence reflected both the family's established position in colonial society and the architectural preferences of the period. Although the house no longer dates to Adam Thoroughgood's lifetime, it remains directly connected to his descendants and the family's long association with the surrounding land.

🧱 An Extraordinary Example of Early Colonial Brick Architecture

One of the most remarkable features of the Thoroughgood House is its early 18th-century brick construction. During the colonial period, brick buildings required considerable resources, skilled labor, and careful planning, making them especially significant expressions of permanence and prosperity.

Producing bricks involved preparing clay, forming individual units, drying them, and firing them in kilns. Skilled masons then arranged the finished bricks using established bonding patterns that helped provide strength and stability to the walls.

The Thoroughgood House incorporates traditional masonry techniques associated with English colonial architecture. Its historic brickwork contributes significantly to the building's character, while the survival of the structure demonstrates the durability of well-executed construction.

The house's masonry is particularly interesting because it preserves building traditions that were brought from England and adapted to the materials and environmental conditions of Virginia. For anyone interested in historic architecture, the brickwork alone offers an opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship required to create a substantial residence more than three centuries ago.

🏠 Pre-Georgian Architecture and the Transition to More Elaborate Homes

The Thoroughgood House is especially significant for its pre-Georgian architectural character, reflecting a transitional period in colonial Virginia's residential design. Earlier English settlers often lived in relatively simple wooden structures, while more prosperous families gradually began constructing larger and more permanent brick homes.

Pre-Georgian architecture in Virginia retained many features associated with older English building traditions, including steeply pitched roofs, prominent chimneys, and arrangements of doors and windows that did not always follow the strict symmetry of later Georgian residences.

The Thoroughgood House reflects these earlier traditions through its overall proportions and distinctive exterior features. Its design differs from the more formal, symmetrical architecture that became increasingly popular among wealthy colonial families during the middle and later decades of the 18th century.

This transitional character makes the house particularly valuable to architectural historians. It provides evidence of how residential construction evolved as Virginia's colonial society became more established and building preferences changed.

Rather than representing a single fixed architectural tradition, the house illustrates a period of experimentation and gradual development between the earliest colonial dwellings and the more elaborate residences that followed.

🧱 Massive Brick Chimneys and a Steeply Pitched Roof

Among the most recognizable features of the Thoroughgood House are its enormous brick chimneys and steeply pitched gabled roof. These architectural elements contribute to the building's distinctive appearance and reflect practical construction methods used during the early colonial period.

Large end chimneys were common in substantial Virginia residences because fireplaces provided essential heat and were used for cooking and other household activities. The masonry required to support these fireplaces was considerable, and prominent chimneys often became defining features of a building's exterior.

The steep roof served both practical and stylistic purposes. Its shape helped shed rainwater and reflected building traditions familiar to English craftsmen and settlers. The roofline also gives the house a dramatic silhouette, particularly when viewed alongside its substantial chimneys.

Together, these features make the Thoroughgood House immediately recognizable as a historic colonial residence. They also help explain why the building has become such an important example of early Virginia architecture.

🪟 Distinctive Windows and Traditional Brick Bond Patterns

Another interesting aspect of the Thoroughgood House is its arrangement of windows and the traditional brick patterns visible in its masonry. Unlike later Georgian buildings that often emphasized carefully balanced symmetry, earlier colonial houses sometimes featured more irregularly spaced openings reflecting interior room arrangements and changing construction practices.

The house also incorporates brickwork associated with English and Flemish bond patterns, two traditional masonry arrangements used in historic construction. English bond typically alternates courses of headers and stretchers, while Flemish bond alternates headers and stretchers within the same course.

These patterns were more than decorative choices. Properly arranged brick bonds helped tie walls together and distribute structural loads, contributing to the stability and longevity of masonry buildings.

The survival of these architectural details provides valuable evidence about the techniques used by colonial builders. Examining the brickwork and window arrangements can reveal how construction practices evolved and how the building was modified over time.

For visitors exploring the exterior, these smaller details are worth appreciating because they help tell the story of the craftsmanship that allowed the house to survive for more than 300 years.

🏛️ Georgian Architectural Changes During the 18th Century

Although the Thoroughgood House originated around 1719, it did not remain completely unchanged. Later generations modified the residence, including the introduction of Georgian architectural details during the 18th century.

Georgian architecture became increasingly popular in colonial America as wealthy families adopted design principles emphasizing symmetry, proportion, and classical ornamentation. These influences appeared in doorways, windows, interior woodwork, and the arrangement of rooms.

As architectural tastes changed, homeowners often updated older residences rather than demolishing them. Such alterations could include modifying windows, changing interior finishes, or introducing decorative elements that reflected contemporary preferences.

The Thoroughgood House's history of modification is important because it demonstrates how historic buildings evolve over time. Rather than existing as completely unchanged structures, many surviving colonial homes reflect the preferences and practical needs of multiple generations.

Modern preservation efforts must therefore balance the desire to interpret a building's early appearance with the historical significance of alterations made during later periods.

🌾 Plantation Life, Indentured Labor, and Enslaved Africans

The Thoroughgood House also preserves connections to the broader history of colonial plantation society. The Thoroughgood family's wealth and influence developed within an agricultural economy that relied on landownership, indentured labor, and the labor of enslaved Africans.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Virginia's plantation economy expanded as colonists established farms and cultivated crops for local consumption and trade. Labor systems changed over time, with racial slavery becoming increasingly entrenched in the colony's economy and legal institutions.

Enslaved African Americans performed agricultural, domestic, and skilled labor on plantations throughout the region. Their contributions were essential to the operation of these properties, even though surviving historical narratives have often focused primarily on the families who owned the land.

Understanding the Thoroughgood House requires acknowledging these experiences alongside the architectural and political accomplishments associated with the family. The building is an important historical resource not simply because of its age, but because it provides opportunities to explore the complicated social relationships that shaped colonial Virginia.

Modern historical interpretation at the site includes the experiences of enslaved people, Indigenous communities, and others whose lives were connected to the land, helping provide a more complete understanding of the region's past.

🌿 Indigenous Communities and the Colonial Transformation of the Land

Long before Adam Thoroughgood arrived in Virginia, Indigenous peoples lived throughout the coastal region that would eventually become Virginia Beach. Native communities had established relationships with the area's waterways, forests, and agricultural landscapes over many generations.

The arrival and expansion of English colonists dramatically changed these environments. Land grants, plantation development, and the growth of colonial settlements transformed traditional land use and contributed to the displacement and disruption of Indigenous communities.

The Thoroughgood family's large landholdings were part of this broader process of colonial expansion. Although the house itself dates to the early 18th century, the property's history is inseparable from the changes that occurred throughout the region during the preceding century.

Recognizing Indigenous history adds important context to the site. It reminds visitors that the story of Virginia Beach did not begin with English settlement and that the landscape already held deep cultural and historical significance long before colonial land grants were issued.

By including these perspectives, historic sites such as the Thoroughgood House can help visitors develop a broader understanding of the communities and events that shaped southeastern Virginia.

🏚️ Centuries of Alterations and Preservation Challenges

By the early 20th century, the Thoroughgood House had experienced numerous changes as successive generations adapted the residence to their needs. Historic homes often undergo modifications involving windows, doors, interior arrangements, roofs, and other features, and these alterations can gradually obscure their original appearance.

Preserving a building more than two centuries old presents considerable challenges. Masonry can deteriorate, wooden components may suffer from moisture or insect damage, and earlier repairs sometimes introduce materials or techniques that are incompatible with historic construction.

The Thoroughgood House's survival is particularly remarkable because so many early colonial residences disappeared through fire, demolition, neglect, or redevelopment. Maintaining a structure of this age requires careful study and specialized preservation techniques.

Restoration efforts sought to protect the building while recovering important aspects of its earlier colonial appearance. These projects helped transform the residence from an aging historic property into a preserved landmark that could be interpreted for future generations.

🔨 Restoring the Thoroughgood House to Its Colonial Appearance

A major restoration project during the 20th century helped return much of the Thoroughgood House's appearance to an earlier colonial style. Preservation specialists examined the structure, evaluated its architectural features, and worked to recover elements associated with its historic design.

Restoring an early American house involves more than simply repairing visible damage. Researchers must distinguish original materials from later alterations, study construction techniques, and determine which features can be accurately restored based on surviving evidence.

At the Thoroughgood House, restoration work helped preserve the building's historic brickwork, architectural character, and overall appearance. The project also reflected a growing national interest in protecting colonial landmarks during the mid-20th century.

These efforts were essential to the house's long-term survival. Without preservation work, the structure might have continued deteriorating or lost additional historic features as the surrounding area developed.

Today, the restored residence provides an opportunity to appreciate early Virginia architecture while learning about the property's complicated and evolving history.

🏛️ Opening as a Historic House Museum in 1957

The restored Thoroughgood House opened as a museum in 1957, allowing visitors to explore the history and architecture of one of the region's oldest surviving residences. This transformation marked an important new chapter in the property's story, shifting its primary role from a private home to a place of public education and historical interpretation.

Historic house museums offer visitors an opportunity to understand the past through physical spaces rather than relying exclusively on books and photographs. Architectural features, building materials, and the arrangement of rooms can reveal details about daily life that written records do not always fully capture.

At the Thoroughgood House, museum interpretation has evolved as researchers developed a more accurate understanding of the building's construction date and the lives of the people associated with the property.

The museum's opening also helped establish the house as an important destination for residents, students, and travelers interested in Virginia Beach's colonial history.

🏅 National Historic Landmark Designation in 1960

In 1960, the Thoroughgood House was designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its exceptional historical and architectural significance. National Historic Landmarks are properties identified as having outstanding importance to the history of the United States.

This designation is especially meaningful because only a relatively small portion of historic properties nationwide receive National Historic Landmark recognition. The status reflects the house's value as a surviving example of early colonial architecture and its connection to the development of Virginia.

The property was subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, further documenting its historical importance. These designations helped reinforce the need to protect the building and preserve its architectural features.

Although later research revised the accepted construction date from 1636 to approximately 1719, the house continues to hold exceptional significance. Its survival, architectural character, and connection to early Virginia history remain important regardless of the correction.

🏙️ The City of Virginia Beach Acquires the Property in 2003

Another important milestone occurred in 2003, when the City of Virginia Beach acquired the Thoroughgood House property. The acquisition helped ensure that the historic residence and its surrounding grounds would continue to be preserved and interpreted as part of the city's cultural heritage.

Municipal ownership can provide important support for historic preservation by integrating significant properties into broader educational and cultural programs. It also creates opportunities for coordinated maintenance, public interpretation, and community involvement.

Today, the Thoroughgood House is operated as part of the Virginia Beach History Museums, a collection of historic sites dedicated to preserving and sharing the city's past. Through educational exhibits, guided tours, and historical interpretation, the property helps visitors understand the people and events that shaped early Virginia Beach.

The city's continued stewardship is especially important because the house stands within a region that has experienced extensive modern development. Preserving the property allows future generations to experience a physical connection to the colonial landscape that once dominated the area.

🌸 Beautiful Landscaped Grounds and Gardens

One of the most enjoyable aspects of visiting the Thoroughgood House is its landscaped grounds and gardens, which create a peaceful setting around the historic brick residence. The greenery provides an attractive contrast to the building's aged masonry and helps establish an atmosphere that feels removed from the surrounding modern neighborhood.

The gardens also complement the property's historical interpretation by encouraging visitors to consider the relationship between colonial homes and their surrounding landscapes. Early Virginia households depended on land for food production, domestic activities, and other practical needs, although the appearance and use of these spaces changed considerably over time.

Today, the maintained grounds provide opportunities to appreciate the architecture from different angles. The steep roofline, enormous chimneys, and distinctive brickwork become especially striking when viewed against the surrounding trees and landscaped areas.

For photographers, the combination of historic architecture and natural scenery creates an appealing setting. The property offers opportunities to capture both the overall appearance of the house and the smaller details that reveal its age and craftsmanship.

📸 Photographing One of Virginia Beach's Oldest Homes

The Thoroughgood House is an excellent subject for architectural photography because of its distinctive colonial features and remarkable age. The steeply pitched roof, large end chimneys, traditional brickwork, and unusual window arrangements provide visual details that immediately distinguish it from modern residential buildings.

Photographing historic architecture also encourages visitors to pay closer attention to construction techniques. The patterns of the brick masonry, the proportions of the windows, and the relationship between the roof and chimneys all reveal something about the building traditions of early 18th-century Virginia.

The landscaped grounds offer additional opportunities to frame the residence within its natural surroundings. Wider views help communicate the house's overall character, while closer photographs can emphasize the craftsmanship and materials that have survived for centuries.

For my video, I focused on capturing the exterior of the Thoroughgood House and its surrounding grounds, documenting the remarkable architecture while exploring the history behind one of Virginia Beach's most important colonial landmarks.

🐕 Visiting the Thoroughgood House With Simba

Naturally, Simba joined me for our exterior visit to the Thoroughgood House, adding another remarkable Virginia landmark to our adventures. What immediately impressed me was the age of the building and the extraordinary fact that its brick walls, chimneys, and architectural features have survived for more than three centuries.

The house's steep roof and massive chimneys give it an appearance that feels completely different from the surrounding modern homes. Standing near a building constructed around 1719 is a fascinating experience, especially when considering how dramatically Virginia Beach has changed since the early colonial period.

I was particularly interested in the discovery that the house wasn't actually built by Adam Thoroughgood himself. For so many years, historians believed the residence dated to 1636, only for modern scientific research to reveal that it was constructed nearly 80 years after his death. That surprising correction makes the property's history even more interesting because it demonstrates how archaeology and modern technology can change our understanding of familiar landmarks.

The beautiful grounds also added to the experience, providing a peaceful setting for appreciating the architecture and capturing photographs. For Simba and me, it was another opportunity to explore an important piece of local history while discovering the stories behind a remarkable surviving colonial home.

📍 Visiting the Thoroughgood House in Virginia Beach

The Thoroughgood House is located at 1636 Parish Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia, near the Lynnhaven River. The historic property features an early 18th-century brick residence, landscaped grounds, and educational interpretation connected to the region's colonial history.

The site is operated as part of the Virginia Beach History Museums, with guided tours and educational programs that explore the building's architecture, construction history, and the lives of people associated with the property. Visitors interested in touring the interior should check current operating hours, admission requirements, and tour availability before arriving.

The exterior and surrounding grounds are particularly appealing for people interested in historic architecture and photography. However, access to different areas of the property may be subject to posted rules, scheduled programming, or temporary restrictions.

Anyone planning to visit with a dog should also confirm the site's current pet policies. Historic properties may have different requirements for outdoor areas and interior tours, so it's important to follow the rules established by the museum.

🌎 Why the Thoroughgood House Is Historically Important

The Thoroughgood House is significant because it preserves a rare example of early 18th-century residential architecture in a region that has experienced enormous changes since the colonial era. Constructed around 1719, the building reflects a period when prosperous Virginia families were beginning to build substantial brick residences that incorporated traditional English architectural features.

The house is also closely connected to the history of Adam Thoroughgood, an English colonist who arrived in Virginia as an indentured servant during the 1620s and later became a prominent landowner and member of the House of Burgesses. His 1635 land grant helped establish a substantial family presence along the Lynnhaven River, contributing to the development of early colonial communities in the region.

The discovery that the surviving house was constructed by a later generation of the family adds another layer of historical interest. Modern archaeological investigations and tree-ring dating demonstrated that the building was not erected in 1636, as previously believed, but approximately 80 years later. This correction highlights the importance of scientific research in understanding historic structures.

The property's architecture is equally significant. Its steeply pitched roof, enormous brick chimneys, traditional masonry patterns, and pre-Georgian design provide valuable evidence about colonial building practices and the transition toward more substantial residential architecture.

Finally, the house offers opportunities to explore the broader history of colonial Virginia, including the experiences of Indigenous communities, indentured servants, enslaved Africans, and the families who controlled large agricultural properties. Understanding these different perspectives helps create a more complete picture of the people and events that shaped the region.

🎥 Watch the Video

Join Simba and me as we visit the historic Thoroughgood House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, one of the oldest surviving colonial homes in the region! We'll explore the exterior of this remarkable 300-year-old brick residence, admire its enormous chimneys and steeply pitched roof, and enjoy the beautiful landscaped grounds surrounding the property.

Along the way, we'll discover the fascinating story of Adam Thoroughgood, an English colonist who arrived in Virginia as an indentured servant before becoming a successful landowner and member of the House of Burgesses. We'll also learn about his enormous 1635 land grant along the Lynnhaven River and the family's influence on the development of early Virginia Beach.

Perhaps most surprisingly, we'll explore how modern archaeological investigations and tree-ring dating revealed that the surviving house was actually built around 1719, nearly 80 years after Adam Thoroughgood's death. We'll learn about the later family members associated with its construction, the building's distinctive pre-Georgian architecture, and the preservation efforts that helped protect this extraordinary landmark.

Whether you enjoy colonial history, historic architecture, early American landmarks, or discovering hidden pieces of Virginia's past, the Thoroughgood House offers a fascinating glimpse into more than three centuries of history!

👀 In This Video You'll See

- Our exterior visit to Thoroughgood House in Virginia Beach, VA
- The historic brick home dating to approximately 1719
- Its massive chimneys, steep roof, and distinctive colonial architecture
- The beautiful landscaped grounds surrounding the historic residence
- Simba joining me to explore another remarkable Virginia landmark

⭐ Why the Thoroughgood House Is Worth Visiting

The Thoroughgood House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is worth visiting because it offers an extraordinary connection to early American history and preserves one of the region's oldest surviving colonial residences. Located at 1636 Parish Road, the historic brick house dates to approximately 1719 and features distinctive architectural elements that reflect the building traditions of early 18th-century Virginia.

The property takes its name from Adam Thoroughgood, an English colonist who arrived in Virginia during the 1620s as an indentured servant before becoming a prominent landowner, businessman, and member of the House of Burgesses. His large land grant in 1635 helped establish the family's presence along the Lynnhaven River and contributed to the development of the surrounding colonial community.

For many years, historians believed Adam Thoroughgood had constructed the surviving residence in 1636. However, modern archaeological investigations and tree-ring dating revealed that the building was actually constructed around 1719, nearly 80 years after his death. Researchers now associate its construction with his great-grandson, Argall Thorowgood II, and Argall's wife, Susannah.

The house's steeply pitched roof, massive brick chimneys, traditional masonry, and pre-Georgian architectural features make it an exceptional example of early colonial construction. Later modifications and preservation efforts also provide insight into how historic buildings evolve over multiple generations.

After undergoing restoration, the house opened as a museum in 1957, received National Historic Landmark designation in 1960, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The City of Virginia Beach acquired the property in 2003, helping ensure its continued preservation as part of the Virginia Beach History Museums.

For Simba and me, the highlight was exploring the exterior of this remarkable colonial home and appreciating the fact that its historic brickwork and architectural features have survived for more than 300 years. The peaceful landscaped grounds and distinctive appearance made it an especially memorable destination.

The Thoroughgood House is much more than an old building. Its remarkable survival, unexpected construction history, and connection to Virginia's earliest colonial communities make it one of the most fascinating historic attractions in Virginia Beach!

If you enjoy historic houses, colonial architecture, early American history, or discovering lesser-known landmarks, the Thoroughgood House is definitely worth exploring while visiting Virginia Beach.

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