Twenty Historic Sites in Powhatan, Virginia

2. Powhatan Courthouse Village - 3880 Old Buckingham Road

The central feature of this historic district is the courthouse.  It was designed by noted New York architect, Alexander Jackson Davis and completed in 1849 in the Greek Revival style of architecture.  The original clerk's office, next to the courthouse was built in 1796 and is the oldest building on the court square. Other points of interest include the “Old Jail” which houses the Powhatan Historical Society, a lovely garden depicting area flowers, plants, and vegetables, a historic tavern, and several more historic buildings. There are several  restaurants  and a coffee shop in the Village.

3. Courthouse Tavern

This is one of the all-important taverns where citizens met on Court Day and other occasions. Early taverns were social, civic, and political centers often at the heart of community life. The oldest section of the tavern is the small three-bay one-and-a-half-story frame section with an exterior-end brick chimney. As the county expanded, so did the tavern. The c.1822 imposing brick section with keystoned window arches, central chimneys, two-story front gallery, and numerous exterior doors is a good example of a federal-era tavern. Typical of Southside are the shed dormers. The long brick rear ell was added c. 1830 as an extension of the public dining room and for a kitchen.

4. Emmanuel Episcopal Church – 2390 Emmanuel Church Road

This beautiful church was also designed by Alexander Jackson Davis in the Gothic Revival style of architecture and was completed in 1846.  The cemetery holds the graves of some Confederate soldiers.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

5. Powhatan African American Cultural Arts Museum- 4290 Anderson Hwy

The purpose of the Powhatan African American Cultural Arts Museum is to serve as a museum and a repository for materials related to the history of the public education of African Americans in Powhatan County. The museum space was allocated in the Pocahontas Landmark Center, located in the former Pocahontas High School for African Americans which was built in 1937. There is a historic marker at the front of the building. The Powhatan Branch of the NAACP requested that the history of  Pocahontas High School be acknowledged and displayed to the citizens of the county. Museum Hours - Monday through Friday, 9 am till 4 pm. Powhatan Parks & Rec will open the door for you to walk through. You may contact Gail Hairston at 804-598-3435 for an appointment to enter.

6. Old Tavern Junction – 5500 Anderson Hwy

This charming old store has survived since the early 1930s. It is a good place to stop for a snack while touring.

7. Mosby Tavern – 2625 Old Tavern Road

Mosby Tavern, built in 1740 by Benjamin Mosby, played a key role in the history of both Powhatan and Cumberland counties.  Beginning in 1741, Mr. Mosby used his residence as a tavern and hosted many political and social activities.  From 1749 to 1777, the tavern was used as a courthouse and prison for Cumberland County.  When new county lines were drawn, Powhatan court was held here for two years before moving to the present location.  At the onset of the Revolutionary War, the tavern was used as a meeting place for county militia.  Mosby’s son, Littleberry, oversaw the county militia and corresponded with Thomas Jefferson on the state of affairs.  Today, Mosby Tavern is a private residence.  Despite many additions, the original house is still part of the structure. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

8. French’s Tavern – 6100 Old Buckingham Road

Built between 1730 and 1734 for Col. Frances Eppes, French’s Tavern was later owned by Thomas Jefferson's spouse, Martha Eppes.  It was named for Hugh French who operated a tavern on the property.  According to the National Register of Historic Places, the historic functions of French’s Tavern were commerce, trade, restaurant, domestic and single dwelling.  Today, French’s Tavern has been renovated and serves as a private residence. Read more at  The Virginia Department of Historic Resources .

9. Hobson's Chapel

On 5 September 1842, Zenas Maxey of Powhatan County deeded two acres and ten perches (each equal to 0.00625 of an acre) of land located on the Buckingham Road for a "house or place of worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States of America." With the exception of the addition of Sunday school rooms in the 1970s, relatively little has changed on the grounds of this old "Methodist meeting house."

10. Muddy Creek Baptist Church and School – 3470 Trenholm Road

Founded in 1774, General Lee and his family attended services at this beautiful church during their stay in Powhatan. It is also the site of a one-room schoolhouse made out of heart-of-pine logs that operated from 1875 to 1920. This little restored school marked the beginning of formal education for children in the Trenholm area of Powhatan.

11. Provost – 4801 Cartersville Road

Provost, formerly known as Oakville, was built sometime around the turn of the nineteenth century.  It was a main stop on the old River Road stagecoach route from Richmond to Cartersville.  In 1867, it was expanded to include a general store and perhaps an ordinary for weary travelers.  In 1902, it became a Post Office which operated until 1939 and the name was changed to Provost.  In 1920, a telephone exchange was added.  In 1933, Provost became the local office of the Bureau of Vital Statistics.  After World War II, Provost became a private residence once again. This property is on the National Register of Historic Places for its architecture and history of commerce.

12. Rosemont- Home of the Drexel-Morell Center- 4599 Cosby Road

Rosemont House was built in 1892 by Mr. C.L. Dodd, the architect who designed St. Francis de Sales residential school for young African American women.

See more at  https://www.belmeadonthejames.com/ 

13. Michaux-St. James Chapel- 4097 Old River Trail

St. James Chapel, a lovely white church on Old River Trail, was built in 1890 and is maintained by the Michaux-St. James Foundation.

14. Shiloh Baptist Church

The Church began in 1866 with seventy ex-slaves who met in a private home (Doc Walton), then under a brush arbor, followed by a log cabin church and later in a framed church; this burned in 1898 and was replaced by the present structure. The first pastor was Rev. Daniel White. “The River Jordan” mural, by Julien Binford (who was partly paid for his work with farm produce) graces the archway behind the pulpit (1942). Life magazine featured the mural in the Fall of 1942, which led to Powhatan artist Binford being recognized nationwide.

15. Lee’s Last Bivouac – 2630 Huguenot Trail

On April 14, 1865, after his surrender at Appomattox, General Robert E. Lee returning from Appomattox to his home in Richmond made camp one last time on the front lawn of his brother’s neighbor’s house.

16. Fine Creek Mill – 2434 Robert E. Lee Road

On this 10-acre historic property, you will find remnants of an old gristmill; remnants of Fine Creek Manor built in the 1700s, but destroyed by fire in 1928; an old gatehouse; Fine Creek School; several other historic buildings that served this small community; beautiful landscaping; a modern-day brewery; and the Fine Creek itself running over a vast area of solid rock.  This property now serves as a wedding reception and meeting facility and is private property.  It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

17. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church- 2245 Huguenot Trail

Built in 1844, this church and its cemetery are on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest grave in the cemetery is dated 1846.  Many of General Robert E. Lee’s relatives are buried here, including his brother and a nephew as well as many Civil War veterans.  You can truly feel the history when walking on these grounds.

18. Sublett's Tavern- 1652 Huguenot Trail

Built in 1750, this French Huguenot family property became "Sublett's Tavern" in 1813 & later utilized as a post office for both the Confederate States and the United States. It was the first stagecoach stop west of Richmond and served as a resting place for travelers on Old River Road, now Huguenot Trail. Sublett's Tavern is a private home not open to the public.

19. Manakin Episcopal Church – 985 Huguenot Trail

This congregation’s history dates back to 1701 when the French Huguenots first settled in the area after fleeing religious persecution in France.  On the property, you will find the church in use today, the old church dating back to 1895 built from salvaged materials of a church built in 1789, and a monument in dedication to the original French Huguenots who settled in the area. This is the fifth church built on or near this location. Next door is the National Headquarters and library of the Huguenot Society, which is open by appointment. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Huguenot Memorial Chapel and Monument.

20. Huguenot Springs Cemetery – 911 Old Confederate Cemetery Road

A Confederate convalescent hospital was established here in 1862 at the site of an antebellum spa and hotel.  Locals volunteered their time and limited resources to care for the soldiers.  The cemetery contains the remains of more than 250 Confederate dead. The Powhatan Historical Society website hosts  this list  of ninety-two soldiers who have been identified

Refreshments!

Click  here  to view a list of Powhatan County's Restaurants. Finish your day with a good meal or locally crafted libations at one of our breweries or distillery. See the list  here .