North Virginia Beach , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
de Witt Cottage
Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
— Home of Back Bay Wildfowl Guild, Inc. —
The de Witt Cottage, built in 1895 by B. P. Holland, Virginia Beach's first mayor, was the first brick structure built at the oceanfront. With 14" thick outside walls and a sturdy foundation, the building has survivied many northeasters and hurricanes. In 1909, Cornelius de Witt purchased the house and moved his family there. The family remained in the house until 1990 when it was purchased by the City of Virginia Beach.
Restoration of the house was undertaken in 1994 by the Virginia Beach Foundation and the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild. The cottage is on the National register of Historic Places, and is now a wildfowl museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 36° 50.43′ N, 75° 58.332′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in North Virginia Beach. Marker can be reached from the intersection of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and 12th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1113 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach VA 23451, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Atlantic Wildfowl Museum (a few steps from this marker); Patsy Cline (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Jefferson (about 600 feet away); John Marshall
this page online
Regarding de Witt Cottage. Picture captions, clockwise, starting from the upper right:
After their parent's death and during the Great Depression, the de Witt children rented rooms to visitors vacationing in Virginia Beach.
The de Witt cottage cupoloa was and still is a distinctive landmark. In the earlier days, it was taller than many of the buildings nearby.
Cornelius de Witt used the cupola as a lookout spot for ducks and/or geese on Lake Holly, which can be seen today at 13th and Pacific Avenue.
The de Witt Cottage and Gardens.
The 22 room cottage had ample rooms for Cornelius and Cecile de Witt and their 10 children.
The de Witts kept ponies as well as cows, chickens, and rabbits on land they owned west of the cottage where The Raven Restaurant now stands.
The de Witt family named their home "Wittenzand", Dutch for "white sands".
Also see . . .
Photographed By Kevin W., July 20, 2010
3. The de Witt Cottage
An identical marker is on the railing only a few feet away.
Photographed By Kevin W., July 20, 2010
4. The de Witt Cottage
The de Witt Cottage Marker is immediately inside the gate to the left in this picture.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021
5. Additional plaques on the house
From let to right are plaques for the cottage's statuses on the National Register of Historic Places, Virginia Historic Landmarks Register, and the City of Virginia Beach Historical Register.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,009 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on July 20, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on January 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
