The Thomas Nelson House was built around 1730 by Thomas “Scotch Tom” Nelson, the family patriarch who established the Nelson presence in Yorktown after emigrating from England. Constructed in the Georgian architectural style, the brick home featured symmetrical design, decorative cornices, and pedimented gables typical of elite colonial residences. It quickly became a prominent landmark in Yorktown, reflective of the Nelson family's rising influence in Virginia society.

The house became the residence of Thomas Nelson Jr., a prominent figure in early American history. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, commander of the Virginia militia during the Revolutionary War, and briefly served as governor of Virginia in 1781. According to legend, during the Siege of Yorktown, he urged American and French forces to target his own home, which the British had occupied, to help drive them out. This symbolic act of sacrifice reflected his deep commitment to the cause of American independence.

During the British occupation in 1781, the Nelson House was used as a military headquarters and was damaged during the siege. Cannon fire and small arms left scars on the building, some of which remain visible today. Following the war, the home stayed in the Nelson family for more than a century, serving as a private residence and a physical reminder of Yorktown’s revolutionary past. In the early 20th century, it passed into private hands and was renamed “York Hall” by later owners, who made various modifications to the property.

In 1968, the National Park Service acquired the house and undertook a detailed restoration project to return the structure to its 18th-century appearance. Completed in time for the nation’s bicentennial celebrations in 1976, the restoration preserved much of the original brickwork and woodwork while recreating period-appropriate details. The house was also designated a National Historic Landmark, reflecting its importance in both architectural and national history.

The original estate once included numerous outbuildings, such as kitchens, dairies, and servant quarters, which supported the daily operations of the household. Though many of these outbuildings no longer exist, the main structure remains remarkably intact. Some of the bricks used in construction are believed to have been imported from England on Nelson family ships. Today, the Thomas Nelson House serves as a historic site within Colonial National Historical Park, open seasonally for tours that highlight both its architectural beauty and its central role in the story of American independence.