Nance-Major House and Store

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/nance-major-house-and-store

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the location?Charles City, Virginia, situated across from the Charles City County Courthouse
2. What is the store construction date?Circa 1872
3. Why was the Nance-Major Store important to the community?It was a place where people could buy goods, share news, and meet friends for almost 90 years.
4. How did the house and store stay cool and safe from floods?The store sits on a strong brick pier foundation that lets air flow and keeps the building higher than the ground.

Vernacular Architecture: Architecture based on local traditions, materials, and construction methods, rather than formal design.
Post-and-beam frame: A structural system using large timbers (posts and beams) to support a building's weight.
Contributing Structure: A building or feature on a historic property that adds to its historical significance and integrity.
National Register of Historic Places: The official list of U.S. properties deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance.