Michael Martin Art

Snowy church
This is one of the few images not based on life. It simply celebrates all of the beauty we see during the Christmas Season. The snow-covered landscape and building trimmed in greenery bring nostalgic feelings of joy for me.
 

 

 

 

Martin’s Brandon Episcopal Church
John Martin arrived in Jamestown in 1607 and was given the task of building the original Jamestown fort. He had sailed with Sir Francis Drake before arriving on the shores of Virginia. He survived the illness that swept through the settlement and went on to receive a patent for 5,000 acres in 1611, on which he built Brandon Plantation and Martin’s Brandon Church. The Brandon name comes from his wife’s family name. The church was built circa 1618. A new Brandon church was built in 1723. The current Tuscan style church was constructed in 1855 and contains several Tiffany windows. It is still an active congregation.

 

 

 

 

Point of Honor
The land on which Point of Honor stands was once home to the Monacan Indians, however, in 1745 a descendant of Pocahontas, John Bolling, was granted a patent to these lands, then known as Fluvanna. The tract was sold to Captain Charles Lynch and stayed in the Lynch family until it was sold to the Cabell family in 1805. Point of Honor was built by George Cabell in c.1815 on land that was once his father’s, Col. John Cabell.  The home, which is a
beautiful example of the Federal architectural style,

has passed to the Payne, Langhorne, and Owen Families over the years. For more information check out www.pointofhonor.org/

 

 

 

 

Williamsburg Shoe

Drum Point Lighthouse
In 1882 the Drum Point Lighthouse was erected at the mouth of the Patuxent River. The lighthouse was a screw-pile design and it originally sat in 10 feet of water. Prefabrication occurred at Lazaretto Point before being installed in its intended offshore location. The light was needed to warn navigators of the shifting sands, which in time shifted the shoreline to the place which the lighthouse stood. By 1960 the light was automated and by 1962 it was replaced by a buoy, while the original structure was simply left to sit idle. Eventually the Calvert County Historical Society was successful in acquiring the structure and moved it to their museum in Solomon’s Island

James K. Polk Birth Site

UVA Medical School
In the 1929 a structure was completed, in the Jeffersonian style, to house the University of Virginia’s Medical School. The school brought all the departments of medicine together in one centralized building and connected them to the hospital. Laboratories, a library, administrative areas, and a lecture hall. The buildings entrance resided under a portico, which was centered along the buildings front. The vast plastered brick columns linked the hospital on one side and the education buildings on the other.

 

 

 

 Site of Stonewall Jackson's Death

Fort Washington Lighthouse

Bruington Oak

Bruington Baptist Church was constituted in 1790 and met at several structures before arriving at the site of the current church building. From all accounts the giant oak that once stood beside the church had been there for several hundred years. In fact, this quiet sentinel more than likely stood witnessing history as both the United States was born and the community of Bruington grew into the farming community that it is today. In June of 2013 during freak summer storm the massive tree sustained irrevocable damage. During Bruington’s 225th anniversary a descendant of the mighty oak was planted in the middle of the hollowed stump. One day this new tree might once again stand as a symbol of strength refuge in an everchanging world.

Old Church

War Memorial Chapel

Old Nursing Building
The School of Nursing was founded in 1893 for MCV, later VCU. Cabaniss Hall was named for Sadie Heath Cabaniss. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1893 and worked as a night supervisor until being hired by MCV in 1894. She became the nurse charged with taking care of the operating rooms and brought order to them. Cabaniss Hall was built in 1928.

 

 

 

 

Stratford Hall
Stratford Hall was built in the late 1730’s by Thomas Lee. It was the birthplace of Robert E. Lee and was the boyhood home of both Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee. Richard and Francis were the only brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence. Architecturally, the Great House is an important
example of the Colonial era. Stratford Hall sits on 1900 acres of land overlooking the Potomac River. For more information, to plan your visit, or get this artwork, check out  https://stratfordhall.org/


 
 

 

 

 

Acquinton Church

Williamsburg Courthouse

The Williamsburg Courthouse was built between 1770 and 1771. At one point it housed both the city’s court system and that of James City County. It is the site that the Declaration of Independence was read aloud in 1776 and it was also used as a hospital for the Confederate Army.

Brett-Reed Church

On a rural road between West Point, Virginia and Sweet Hall, a union Sunday School began meeting n 1906. The group soon moved from the schoolhouse in which it met, to a chapel which was called Trinity Union. The church petitioned the Presbyterian Church for affiliation and became Brett-Reed Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1923. When the membership outgrew the chapel, a new building was constructed in 1925 and a gym was constructed on the church grounds in 1928 for the community.

Doggett House
Located in Fredericksburg, VA, the Doggett House was built in 1817 for an attorney named Carter Littlepage Stevenson. Carter also served as the president of Farmer’s Bank of VA, the commonwealth’s attorney for Fredericksburg, and a delegate to the General Assembly. The structure, a Federal townhouse, was later bought by John B. Hall and later by Dr. A. C. Doggett in 1888. The house also has a kitchen, servants’ quarters, and an office building from the 1800’s. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Piney Point Lighthouse

 Mabry Mill
The Mabry Mill was built in 1905 by Ed and Lizzy Mabry. The Mabrys solely owned and operated the mill during it’s commercial use. The mill was and continues to be a water powered mill. Due to the minimal amount of water and limited force, the mill is considered a ‘slow mill.’ By using this slow milling, the meal tended to be of a higher quality. Ed expanded operations to include a wood working shop, which also used the power of the waterwheel to run the saw mill. Ed died in 1938 and Lizzie allowed the Nation Park Service to purchase the mill and adjoining property. The mill was restored in 1942 and is now one of the most photographed places on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

 

 

 

Jones House
The Jones House was built by William Atkinson Jones of Warsaw, Virginia in 1887. He  was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly two decades. He was educated at VMI and Latter UVA where he received his law degree. He was active in the Democratic Party and was elected to the House of Represenatives in the first district 14 times between 1890 and 1916. He died on April 17th of 1918 and was buried at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Warsaw. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Oakland Barn, Maryland
There are places that seem to live on for lifetimes, then there are others on the cusp of collapse that we are just glad that we got to witness. This beautiful barn, somewhere on the outskirts of Oakland, Maryland is one such structure. This barn appeared along the curves of a road in Garrett County, near Swallow Falls State Park. The roof seemed to sag from years of neglect, but the old stone structure with the wood shingled roof seemed to have an elegance and beauty, even as it bowed and shifted. The motionless dance of this shifting structure seems on the cusp of giving way, but still it stands, a tribute to its builders and a way of life slowly fading into a far-off horizon.

 

 

 

 

Walkerton Grist Mill
Walkerton, Virginia became King and Queen County’s official town came to fruition sometime before 1709. The General Assembly passed a bill calling for new counties to develop a town. When King William broke off from King and Queen, it took with it King and Queens major town, West Point. Col. Thomas Walker would go on to found Walkerton and a grist mill. Walkerton’s lost its charter in 1785 although it was allowed to keep its ferry. This particular mill around the early 1800’s by John Temple.
 
 

 

 

 

Dr. Samuel Mudd House

Varner House

Governor’s Palace
The Governor’s Palace was begun in 1706, with its first resident moving into the structure in 1710. The building was funded by the House of Burgesses and improved upon by Lt. Governor Alexander Spotswood, who was the acting governor in the absence of George Hamilton, 1ST Earl of Orkney. It was renovated by 1752, at which time a ballroom was added to the rear of the structure. There were 7 colonial governors and the 2 post-colonial governors who resided in the palace were Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. The capital of Virginia was moved to Richmond in 1780 and the Governor’s Palace was burned by fire in 1781 whilst being used as a hospital for Americans during the American Revolution. Its surviving buildings were destroyed during the Civil War. A reconstructed Governor’s Palace was finished in 1934 through the work of Reverend Goodwin, pastor at Bruton Parish and through the funding of John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Lee Chapel
The University began construction on the Chapel in 1867 at the request of Robert E. Lee, who served as president from 1865 to 1870 of what
was then called Washington College. Built of brick and native limestone, the Chapel was dedicated in June of 1868. Lee attended weekday
worship services here with the students, and the lower level housed his office. Lee died on October 12, 1870 and was buried beneath the Chapel.
Lee’s influence on the school was far reaching and both the Chapel and University now bear his name. Learn more and inquire about these prints through the Lee Chapel at https://my.wlu.edu/lee-chapel-and-museum

 

 

 

 

 

Sycamore Baptist Church

Exchange Hotel

Montpelier
Montpelier was first settled by Ambrose Madison and his wife, Frances Taylor Madison, after receiving a patent for 4,675 acres in 1723. Frances Madison inherited the plantation, then called Mount Pleasant, after his father’s death, and the land later passed to James Madison Sr. and his wife Nelly Conway Madison. The Georgian house was begun during James Madison Jr.’s childhood and had acquired the name Montpelier by 1799. James Madison Jr. married Dolly Payne Todd and continue to expand the house. He would become one of the most important figures in early American, co-writing the Federalist Papers, sponsoring the Bill of Rights, and
becoming the 4th President of the United States in 1809.

If you are interested in more information and this print check out Montpelier at https://www.montpelier.org/

 

 

 

Piankatank River
Located in Virginia, the Piankatank River is 24.4 miles long and is situated between the Rappahannock and York rivers. It is fed by the Dragon Run, one of the most undeveloped waterways in Virginia.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Barn
The spirit of Christmas should never be in short supply, even in the most rural of areas. Whether it be a wreath on a barn, some lights in the window, or a tree in the yard, we all enjoy the beauty of Christmastime.

Mount Malady: The First Hospital
“Mount Malady represents the first English hospital in the world. The hospital was built circa 1612-1613 to house colonist arriving in Henricus from England and housed up to 8 people. After that Atlantic crossing many colonists were sick and needed time to rest and heal. Mount Malady was kept separate from the settlement to prevent the spread of disease.”

 

 

 

Lauderdale ARP Church

Dr. David Lauderdale planted the Lauderdale ARP Church in 1923 on Main Street in Lexington, Virginia
 

 

 

 

 

 

Watkins Store

Blandford Church

Bruington Barn

Tucked away in the rural countryside of King and Queen County, The Vineyard is home to this rustic treasure. The Vineyard was built by Robert Baylor Hill in 1817. Robert Hill served as Commissioner to impress supplies for Continental Army and also County Magistrate.  It is unclear when the barn was added to the property, but it likely dates back to the 1800’s. It is a beautiful example of the rural dependencies essential during that time period.

The Jones House

Fox Tavern

Mattaponi River

Augustine Moore/ Surrender House

 Stewartsville Garage

The John Marsahall House

The Piankatank River

Meadow Run Mill

Egyptian Building

The Shirley Plantation Ice House
Shirley Plantation was founded in 1613 and has remained in the same family for generations. It is the oldest family owned business in the United States. The ice house is part of the only surviving Queen Anne Forecourt in North America. Shirley Plantation is one of the most intact 18th century estates in the Commonwealth of Virginia.To find out more information on Shirley Plantation, to visit , or buy this work of art check out www.shirleyplantation.com

 

 

 

 

White House of the Confederacy

Calico Cat
Calico Cats are generally white with orange and black patterns and are always females. As an artist, you always want to capture the personality of your subject matter, whether it be a person or a feisty calico cat. This particular calico’s personality comes through loud and clear. She was spunky and had her own unique personality. In fact, when she had kittens, she stayed with them for a few days, then picked up each of them by the scruff of their necks and laid them at my feet. Like any good mom she was back to nurturing her little ones after her respite.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Mt. Olive Baptist Church is located at 2370 Mount Olive Cohoke Rd. in King William, Virginia.

 

 

 

Christ Church

King and Queen Tavern Museum
The King and Queen Tavern was built prior to 1800.  The property transferred from Edmund Tunstall’s daughter Barbara to John Baylor in 1720, and then to a Dr. John Smith by 1806. The building had been repurposed as a tavern by the middle of the 1800’s. During the Civil War, the King and Queen Courthouse area was burned, but luckily the Tavern was spared when someone proclaimed that there was a smallpox outbreak inside the building. The building changed hands several times but remained a tavern or hotel for the nearly a century, before being purchased by King and Queen for offices and storage. The restored brick and frame structure has housed the museum for the county since the 1999.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Walkerton Grist Mill

Amelia Wildlife Barn

St. John’s Church
St. John’s Church was built c.1741 in Richmond’s oldest
standing neighborhood. It was the location of the Second Virginia
Convention. The convention was attended by Thomas Jefferson,
George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, and Patrick Henry;
and it is possibly best known as the site where Patrick Henry gave
his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. It is also the
site of the city’s first cemetery and is the final resting place of George Wythe, Elizabeth Arnold (the mother of Edgar Allen Poe), and many important figures from American history.

To learn more, visit, or get this art from the gift shop, check out www.historicstjohnschurch.org/

 
 

 

 

 

Newport's Library

Lee Statue on Monument Avenue

War Memorial Chapel
Finished in 1960, the War Memorial Chapel honors alumni from Virginia Tech that were killed in military service. Eight pylons represent Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and the moto “That I May Serve.” Beneath the Memorial Courtyard is a chapel that seats 260. The chapel looks out onto the drill field and serves as a reminder of those who have dedicated their lives to service to their country.

 
 

 

 

 

 John Marshall House
The John Marshall House was built in 1790 in the Federal style. Marshall was known as the “Great Chief Justice” and as the Justice that helped to define the modern Supreme Court. He lived in this home for 40 years and the compound included his law office and several other structures. The home was acquired and restored by Preservation Virginia after the City of Richmond planned to demolish the structure. It is now a museum dedicated to Marshall and is open to the public. For information check out

https://preservationvirginia.org/historic-sites/john-marshall-house/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lee Chapel

Bruton Parish Church

Currituck Lighthouse

Smyrna Christian Church
Smyrna Christian Church was established in 1832 in King and Queen County, Virginia and is one of the oldest Christian Churches in the United States. Thomas and Alexander Campbell called for doctrine centered on New Testament authority and visited the area in 1832. The original church burned in 1878 and the present building was finished in 1880.
 

 

 

 

Varner House
Varner House was built in 1929 for over twenty-four thousand dollars and was know as the practice house. It was used for Home Economics. It was renamed for Bernice R. Varner who had been the dean of women and the home economics chair at the school. The house was later used for admissions, a counseling center, and a university research.

 
 

 

 

 

The Proctor Plantation
“This structure represents a working tobacco farm in the early years of the colony. This type of structure would have been a middle-class family’s home during the 17th century. A similar structure was home to Alice Proctor, who fought to survive against the 1622 Indian attack.”

 

 

 

 

Founders Hall
E.A. Saunders, a wealthy landowner and businessman purchased the site of Founders Hall in 1882. The Saunders owned 15 properties, including Shirley Plantation. After the Saunders, the home was rented Joseph E. Willard, who served as the lieutenant-governor of Virginia and also led the State Corporation Commission. It later became home to the University Club of Richmond before being considered as home for the Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health. The school’s location at 1228 East Broad Street was in close proximity to the jail and complaints from students arose. The school moved to Founders Hall in 1925. The Victorian home’s architecture is considered to be French Second Empire.

 Red Schoolhouse

Sully Plantation
Sully Plantation was built in the late 18th century and was the home of Richard Bland Lee, Elizabeth Collins Lee, and their children. Richard was the uncle of General Robert E. Lee and was also Virginias first congressman from northern Virginia. The plantation
was later home to the Ludwell family, over 30 enslaved African Americans, overseers, and tenant farmers.
Five of the original buildings have survived to the present day. 

 
 

 

 

 

Wilson

Drum Point Lighthouse

St. Stephen’s Baptist Church
Formed by 10 members of Bruington Baptist Church, St. Stephen’s Baptist Church was formed to serve members forced to travel a long distance to attend services. Land for the church was donated by Mordecai B. Rouse and materials for the building by Thomas Fauntleroy. It became a member of the Rappahannock Association because the Dover Association was suspicious that the church’s name did not sound like that of a Baptist church and rejected its request. St. Stephens was the site of a solider camp during the civil war. Later, former enslaved members from both St. Stephens and Bruington formed Bethlehem, New Morningstar, New Mt. Zion, and Antioch. St. Stephens has added several additions to it’s building, the latest being in the 2000’s. It remains active in the community.


 
 

 

 

 

Leaning Barn

White House of the Confederacy
The White House of the Confederacy was originally built by John Brockenbrough, the first president of the Bank of Virginia. The structure is a grey stuccoed neoclassical mansion designed by Robert Mills and was located in the Shockoe Hill Neighborhood. It
was home to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America from 1861-1856. It became the headquarters for Military District No. 1 during Reconstruction, and in 1870, the U.S. Government gave the house back to the City of Richmond. It was used as a school, until the Confederate Memorial Literary Society took possession of the property and established the
Confederate Museum in the building, which opened to the public in 1896. To learn more, visit, or buy this print, visit

https://acwm.org/white-house-of-the-confederacy/

Darnall’s Chance
Darnall’s chance was constructed in 1742 for James Wardrop. He was a Scottish Immigrant who amassed a fortune as a merchant and entrepreneur in Upper Marlborough, Maryland. He married Lettice Lee, daughter of Phillip Lee, a member of the Lee family of Virginia. Their mansion was a fifteen room Georgian and the dwelling complex included eight brick outbuildings, a rare underground brick burial vault, an orchard,
livestock and ornamental vegetable gardens. The household also included
32 enslaved African Americans who worked at Mr. Wardrop’s store, and in the House gardens. The houses heritage was forgotten when it was remodeled in 1857. In 1986 the history was rediscovered and the structure was restored to its original appearance. To visit Darnall's Chance or inquire about this image, check out www.pgparks.com/3055/Darnalls-Chance-House-Museum

Stewartsville Garage
Located just outside of Roanoke, Virginia, Stewartsville is a small rural town. In the past it was home to this service station that had quite unique second business taking place under its roof. One could bring a car to have it fixed, but it also housed the town undertaker as well.
 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Emmanuel Episcopal Church was built in Port Conway, Virginia in 1860. It is located on the carriage side of Belle Grove Plantation, which is the birthplace of James Madison in 1751. The church and plantation are on the banks of the Rappahannock River.

 Shepherd's Store

The Hatteras Lighthouse

Glade Creek Mill
Considered to be one of the most photographed places in West Virginia, the Glade Creek Mill stands majestically in Babcock State Park. The mill is a working mill, producing cornmeal, buckwheat flour, and cornbread. Although the structure was completed in 1976, the mill is derived from the Stoney Creek Grist Mill which was built in the 1890’s. The wheel, however, is from another mill, the Spring Run Grist Mill. The 4,000-acre park provides ample space to explore and is near the New River Gorge.

Snowy Barn

Monroe Hall

King and Queen Woman’s Club
The King and Queen Woman’s Club was established in 1934. The volunteer group strives to “promote civic, moral, social, and cultural welfare of others through volunteer activities.” The clubhouse is located near the historic Courthouse Green in King and Queen County. Originally, the structure was the first two room school in the area and was used as a schoolhouse from 1909 until 1932. In 1934 the Woman’s Club purchased the structure and it remains in use as a clubhouse.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Egyptian Building
The Egyptian Building is one of the best examples of Egyptian Revival Architecture in the U.S. The building was constructed in 1845 as part of Hampden-Sydney’s medical school. The Egyptian motif was used for the medical building because Imhotep was considered to be the first physician from antiquity, thus it was fitting to have a medical building in the architectural style of an Egyptian building. Used almost exclusively for education until the 1890’s, it’s possibly the oldest medical college structure in the southern states. It was restored in 1939 and has been used nonstopped since its construction. The Egyptian Building has long been the centerpiece of the Medical College of Virginia for most of its existence and has become one of the iconic buildings of Virginia Commonwealth University since the joining of Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968.

Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown
Scotchtown is the only original standing home of Patrick Henry, patriot and orator of the American Revolution. Henry lived here from 1771-1778 and conceived his most influential revolutionary ideas at the home, including the ideas for his famous "Liberty or Death" speech. On March 23, 1775, Henry rode from Scotchtown to St. John's Church in Richmond to deliver the speech. To find out more information on this site, to visit Scotchtown, or buy this work of art check out https://preservationvirginia.org/historic-sites/patrick-henrys-scotchtown/

 

 

 

 

Minter House

Mt. Rogers/ Greyson Highlands

The MacArthur Memorial

Bruington Baptist Church

Mizpah UMC

Darnall's Chance

BSU at VCU

This is the former BSU building at VCU which was razed in 2011 by VCU. For many years it was the home to Baptist fellowship among students on campus and provided a safe place to worship, gather, relax, study, eat, and just kill time between classes. The building itself appeared to be a joining of two houses, with an entry way that lead to a large open central room with an arcing skylight that spanned the area. Balconies stood above two sides of the central room giving an openness, while rooms radiated around the vast central area. The fusion of old and new created a building that was open and inviting, yet retained tranquil areas for students wishing to study. The building even contained a third floor with a beautiful vantage point that looked down on the commons area. 

Mizpah
Mizpah Church was founded in 1880 and is located in Walkerton, Virginia. Interestingly, the name Mizpah actually means watch-tower. Mizpah Church has been active in the community since the 1800’s. Mizpah was born out of the efforts of Mrs. John W. Caldwell and Miss Josephine M. Henley who desired to provide Sunday School services for the children of the community. Soon, church services began to be held once a month. They met at the Orange Grove house for services and so began the Orange Grove Society. In 1884 land in Walkerton became available and the building was begun. The name Mizpah was chosen for the church in 1885. In the 1960’s the church added a Sunday school wing.

 

 

 

Aspen Barn

Chippokes Plantation
Chippokes Plantation sits on the banks of the James River, a testament to the passing of history and a beacon for hikers and history buffs. The site is opposite of Jamestown Island and was originally established by Captain William Powell in 1619. It was named after Algonquin Chief Choapoke, who had befriended the settlers. The site even contains some areas of colonial arkeological interest. Chippokes Plantation was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Victor Steward in 1918 and donated to Virginia in 1967 as a museum of agricultural history.

Wren
The Wren Building began in 1695 on this, the oldest building continuously used for academics in America. It was named for the architect Christopher Wren and is constructed with both Flemish and English Bond. The building contains classrooms, a great hall, offices, a kitchen, chapel, and crypt. Virginia’s government met in its great hall while the Capitol was being reconstructed. The Wren Building was the main academic structure until the early 1900’s.

 St. John's Church

Loy's Station Covered Bridge

Marriott
Marriott School sits on land that was donated for education purposes for the residence of King and Queen County. A school was erected in the early 1900’s. One resident who attended Marriot remarked that one of the best days of his childhood was when he arrived to find the school on fire. His hopes were dashed when he was forced to continue with studies during the reconstruction. After the school was rebuilt, it continued to be used for educational purposes as it transitioned from an elementary and high school to just an elementary school. It merged with Lawson School and became Lawson-Marriott Elementary School. The school once again changed course when it was converted to a library. The building became increasingly dilapidated and because of generous contributions from Mr. Carroll Lee Walker the school was completely remodeled and converted into a permanent home for the King and Queen Branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library.

 

 

 

 

Mt. Vernon

Little Red Schoolhouse
This schoolhouse was built circa 1820 in the Charlotte Hall area and was later moved to the St. Clement’s Island Museum, at Colton’s Point, in 1991. Children attending the school walked five to six miles in order to attend classes. Grades 1 through 7 met and studied in the structure, which had no electricity or plumbing.To find out more about this and the St. Clements Island Lighthouse visit www.visitstmarysmd.com/site/detail/st.-clements-island-museum

Prints are also available through the shop!
 

 

 

 

Capitol of Virginia

Cumberland Gap Covered Bridge

Governor's Palace

Virginia Beach Life Saving Station

Mt. Malady

 Stevensville School

 Shirley Plantation Ice House

Leaning Barn
Pole barns are scattered across the countryside, a testament to the country’s rich agricultural history. Every small farm had its own barn to house horses, crops, or tools. Today smaller farms are rented to farmers who cultivate many tracts of land, not just an individual farm. The once vibrant pole barns that were essential to each individual farm are relegated to the past.  Obsolete, they are left to the elements and times destructive hands.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 Shepherds UMC

Christmas Barn

Old Southside Bank, Aylett
Southside was founded in 1910 in Tappahannock, Virginia. It operated a branch in Aylett, in King William County, Virginia for many years. This was the first bank that stood not far from the Mattaponi River. It was later replaced by a newer branch and in the 2000’s the branch was moved to Central Garage.

 

 

 

 

Calico Cat

Old Nursing Building

Old Southside Bank, Aylett 

Point of Honor

Tappahannock Woman's Club

Sycamore Baptist Church
Organized in 1878, Sycamore Baptist Church was originally named Olivet. One year later the name had been changed to Sycamore and it began to build a church on land donated by Allen and Elmina Cotton. Under the leadership of Pastor James Jones the church grew and by 1924 a new church building was erected. Its parsonage was built and completed between 1956 and 1957, and the church continued to expand its educational space until the 1990’s when the last major renovations took place. Sycamore is active in the Blackwater Baptist Association.

 
 

 

 

 

Lauderdale ARP Church

Byrd Theatre
The Byrd Theater was built in 1928 and cost a $900,000 to complete and opened in December of that year. The architect was Fred Bishop and the structure is a French Empire style building. The theater contains seating for 916 on the floor, 476 in the balcony, and orchestral seating. There are 11 Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers, one of which is the giant 18-foot 5,000 crystal suspended from the center of the movie hall. The theater his Italian and Turkish marble, hand painted murals of Greek mythology, a Wurlitzer Organ, and even a natural spring to supply water for the air conditioning. The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is now owned by the Byrd Theater Foundation, which has been instrumental in preserving and restoring the theatre.

Shirley Plantation

Fort Washington Light
This light, Light 80, is at Fort Washington, on the Potomac River. Established as Fort Warburton in 1809, the fort was destroyed in the War of 1812, and paved the way for the completed Fort Washington in 1824. The first light was placed here, at Fort Washington, in 1856, with the distinction that it be placed at the waterfront, not in the fort. In 1857 an eighteen-and-a-half-foot iron post was placed on the location with a light. In the 1870’s a 16ft tower was erected. Eventually a fog bell was added, though it ceased operation in the 70’s. The lighthouse is still active, although it is no longer a manned station.

Glade Creek Mill

 Sotterley's Slave Cabin

Cape Henry Lighthouse

Burruss

Named for Julian Ashby Burruss, Burruss Hall was constructed in 1936. It is Virginia Tech’s main administrative building and contains an auditorium with seating for over 3,000. Additions were made to the building in 1968 and 1970, with a carillon being added in 1958.

Griggs Store
Griggs Store is the quintessential country store. Although I never got a chance to frequent it, my Mom often told of riding with her Dad to the old store and chatting with the shopkeeper about the latest baseball game or purchasing an ice-cold coke from the ice box. It wasn’t a big box cookie cutter gas station; it was a family owned and run landmark in the community it served. It was one’s home for news or gas and although it’s a little nostalgic, it harkens back to a simpler time when life wasn’t as fast or complicated as it is today.

 St. Stephen's Baptist Church

Byrd Theatre

King William Courthouse

Aspen Barn
This barn possibly dates back to the late 1800s and is part of a small plantation known as Aspen Farm. Records of the farm date back to the Civil War, but the farm may predate the records. Located in King and Queen County, the courthouse along with many of the records burned during the Civil War, making it impossible to date the farm with precision. This particular barn has wooden peg construction and is consistent with the style of structures built in the Central and Tidewater Virginia region.

The Exchange Hotel
In the 1840’s this structure was a tavern, and later in the 1860’s it became a grand hotel for the railroad. Then, during the Civil War the Exchange Hotel was used as the Gordonsville Receiving Hospital, where over 70,000 soldiers were treated. Finally, it became a Freedmen’s Bureau after the war, where former slaves received basic care.The hotel was used as a school, hospital, and courtroom from 1865-1868.

Williamsburg Capitol
The House of Burgesses met at the Williamsburg Capitol until the capital was moved to Richmond in 1779. The first capital was moved from Jamestown in 1698 and the capitol building was completed in 1705. The Council and the House of Burgesses, as well as the General Court, and the secretary for the colony. The first capitol was built without fireplaces and had a H shaped layout. Chimneys were added in the 20’s, and the building burned in 1747. A new Capitol was built in 1753 and was used until the Revolutionary War began. The second Capitol was where many of the Founding Fathers stoked the flames of revolution. The present Capitol was reconstructed in 1934 and is based on the first Capitol. Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin and John D. Rockefeller were instrumental in its creation.

Scotchtown

Mattaponi River
The Mattaponi River is 103 miles long and is a tributary of the York River. Its banks are home to the Mattaponi Indian Tribe and has owned the reservation since 1658. Mattaponi means ‘people of the river’ and the Mattaponi Tribe was one of the six tribes which Chief Powhattan led. They are considered a sovereign government by the U.S.  The river itself has long been a source of transportation and of natural resources for the people living nearby. In is formed from several smaller rivers the Mat, Ta, Po, and Ni. In recent decades Newport News has tried to create a revisor on the river, but the project has been halted due to citizens and organizations concerned about the ecological effects such a project would have on the river.

 

 

 

Monroe Hall
Originally Russell Hall, Monroe Hall was built in 1911. When the State Normal and Industrial School for Women was first established this structure was one of the original buildings on the campus. It is an academic building, but originally was used for administrative purposes. It was named after James Monroe. Monroe fought in the American Revolution, practiced law in Fredericksburg, was elected president twice, and is known for his “Monroe Doctrine” which aimed to keep foreign powers at an arm’s length and out of American affairs.
 

 

 

 

 Newport Library
The Tribble Library was dedicated in 2018. CNU was established in 1960 and opened in 61. It is an offshoot of the College of William and Mary. It is located in Newport News on a 75-acre tract of land. It is named for Christopher Newport, the captain of the Susan Constant. Newport carried the settlers who founded Jamestown, the first English settlement in the new world.

 

 

 

 

Wade's Mill

Choctaw
This beautiful horse is named Choctaw. The horse in general was domesticated probably around 4,000 B.C. There are in excess of 300 horse breeds today.  Horses live between 25 to 30 years in general and reach maturity at age 5, although, a horse named “Old Billy” reportedly lived to the ripe old age of 62. Horses are divided into several categories, there are animals bred to race that have speed and endurance, there are work animals such as draft horses, and there are animals bred for riding. Horses also have the largest eyes of any mammal living on land.

​The MacArthur Memorial
On January 26, 1880, Douglas MacArthur was born in Little Rock Arkansas. His father Arthur MacArthur was a Union army officer that fought in the American Civil War. Douglas attended West Point, graduating in 1903 with a stellar academic record. MacArthur’s father was a Major General and he spent time accompanying him in the East. MacArthur served as an aid to Theodore Roosevelt. He was nominated for the medal of honor for action in enemy territory near Vera Cruz. MacArthur was involved in the creation of the 42nd Rainbow Division, was later promoted to Colonel, and took part in heavy fighting in World War I with the 42nd Rainbow Division. He was awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses, a Distinguished Service Medal, and two Purple Hearts. He became the superintendent of the U.S. Academy at West Point, served several tours in the Philippines, led the U.S. delegation for the 1929 Olympics, and was appointed the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army by President Herbert Hoover. MacArthur was in the Philippines at the onset of World War II and stalled the Japanese advance. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his defense of the Philippines,  and after retreating, he eventually returned and freed the islands. He was in charge of the administration of the occupation of Japan. When North Korea invaded South Korea he was in charge of a UN force tasked with pushing back
the North Koreans. When the Chinese entered the war MacArthur was forced to retreat. MacArthur and President Truman disagreed on the proper course of action and MacArthur was relieved of his command on April 11, 1951. He died on April 5, 1964 and was buried in the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Va.To visit, learn more, or by my art from the shop go to

https://macarthurmemorial.org/

 

 

 

 

Williamsburg Capitol

Prestley's Barn

King and Queen Courthouse
Named for King William and Queen Mary, King and Queen county was established in 1691. In the same year Edmund Tunstall donated one acre to be used for a courthouse. A courthouse was constructed but burned in 1828. The present King and Queen Courthouse was built circa 1750. Records from the county’s early days are rare since the structure was burned in 1863 by Union soldiers in retaliation for the killing of Col. Ulric Dahlgren. The Tavern was the one structured spared in the courthouse complex. The courthouse, the jail, and the clerk’s office were all rebuilt in 1866. The courthouse was expanded in 1895 and 1957.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquinton Church

Acquinton Church stands on a site that has been home to a church in one form or another since the 1600’s. Its beginnings were within the Anglican Church, which is a part of the Church of England. It was abandoned circa 1800 and used by other denominations such as the Baptists, Methodists, and Campbellites. After the Civil War the structure was in disrepair until it was purchased by the Methodists, who reconfigured the church, tearing down part of the 1734 structure and extending the north wing of the church. This renovated structure was preserved by Carol Lee Walker and is the building on display today.

 Stratford Hall

Bruington Barn/ Vineyard Barn

Capitol of Virginia
Upon its completion in 1800, this beautiful Roman Revival structure was the first of its kind in America. When the state legislature was moved from Williamsburg to Richmond in 1779 a 12-acre site was used for an executive mansion and new capitol.  Designed by Thomas Jefferson and Charles-Louis Clerisseau the Virginia State Capitol is the forerunner of the classic temple style American public building. When ground was broken in 1785 no public buildings were in this form. The structure is a brick with white stucco and survived the Civil War when much of Richmond burned. The building has been witness to Arron Burs trial for treason, General Robert E. Lee’s acceptance of command of Virginia’s armed forces, and a collapse of the interior during a Supreme Court chamber in 1870. The capitol also houses the George Washington statue that was sculpted by Jean-Antoine Houdon. It is possibly the most valuable sculpture in America.

Aylett Country Day School

King and Queen Courthouse

George Mason’s Gunston Hall
Built c. 1755 overlooking the Potomac River, Gunston Hall was the 5,500 acre plantation home of founding father George Mason (1725-1792). Mason authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776, calling for basic American liberties such as freedom of the press and religious tolerance. English craftsmen and indentured servants, William Buckland and William Bernard Sears were instrumental in the design of and wood carvings in
Gunston Hall. The home is an example of Georgian architecture with elements of French Modern,Neoclassical, Gothik, and Chinoiserie. For more information visit: www.gunstonhall.org

 

 

 

 

 

Founders

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Fort Washington Light
This light, Light 80, is at Fort Washington, on the Potomac River. Established as Fort Warburton in 1809, the fort was destroyed in the War of 1812, and paved the way for the completed Fort Washington in 1824. The first light was placed here, at Fort Washington, in 1856, with the distinction that it be placed at the waterfront, not in the fort. In 1857 an eighteen-and-a-half-foot iron post was placed on the location with a light. In the 1870’s a 16ft tower was erected. Eventually a fog bell was added, though it ceased operation in the 70’s. The lighthouse is still active, although it is no longer a manned station.

Old BTSR Building

 Loy’s Station Covered Bridge
Crossing Owen’s Creek, the Loy’s Station Covered Bridge was built in 1848. Named for a nearby rail station at the town of Loys, the bridge used king post construction and originally spanned a distance of 90 feet. Around 1930 a concrete pier was added to the center of the bridge to give added support. The bridge is believed to have been used by Union soldiers during the Civil War, however, the current bridge is a reconstruction. The original was burned in 1991 when someone attempted to torch their vehicle for insurance money. The bridge was a casualty of the endeavor but was rebuilt and reopened in 1994.

 

 

 

 

Union Theological Seminary

Stevensville School
The Stevensville School was reconstructed by Mr. Carroll Lee Walker in Stevensville, Virginia. The original Stevensville School was created in 1839 by John Bagby and Col. John Pollard for their sons and other boys in the community. In 1871 the school became part of the public-school system where a two-room structure was built. By 1907 a new school was needed and Stevensville High School was built on the foundation of the old dorm building.
 

 

 

 

Upper King and Queen Baptist Church

Montpelier

Fort Monroe Lighthouse
The Old Point Comfort Lighthouse was built in 1800 at
the mouth of the James River, Nansemond River, and
the Elizabeth River, a location in which a beacon had been
 tended since the 1700’s. The 56-foot-tall lighthouse was built by
Elzy Burroughs and was octagonal with a spiral staircase. The

structure had both a beacon light and a bell that could be
 heard for a distance of 3 miles. It survived both the War of 1812
and the Civil War and is now a National Historic Landmark.

Bruington Baptist Church

  The present day Bruington Baptist Church is a Greek Revival structure that rises two stories from the earth in the community that now bears its name. However, Bruington’s roots predate even the first meetinghouses that would lay the groundwork for the modern brick structure. The unique name of the church may possibly be deriving from Colonel Thomas Brewerton, the recipient of a land patent of 3,000 acres. The church’s formation has its beginnings in Baptist minsters that preached in the area of Bruington and its surroundings by 1771, some of which were even arrested. Eventually, formal meetings were scheduled under the watchful eye of Piscataway Church, present day Mt. Zion (1772) in Essex County. Meetings took place at Wares Barn across from Norwood. A church was formally constituted circa 1780 but disbanded after a year. (due to pastoral misbehavior) During the years leading up to 1790, and the formation of Bruington Baptist Church, a revival ignited interest in the area once more. Robert Baylor Semple was converted at Upper King and Queen Baptist church and began to lead meetings in the Bruington community. Piscataway Baptist Church aided elders such as James Greenwood, Robert Ware, Iverson Lewis, and Theodrick Noel and Bruington Baptist Church was formed with 104 members. Robert Baylor Semple was ordained as Bruington’s first pastor on September 26, 1790. Deacon Lewis Smith gave land, on which the first wooden meeting house was built, and by 1791 a wooden structure had been erected. It had one window at the back pulpit and was without heat, but housed the 1772 meeting of the Dover Association, which brought messengers from the central and eastern part of the state. The first 20 years of the church’s history has not survived, but the membership ballooned to 300 members by 1804.

     Robert Baylor Sempel served from 1790 until 1831 as the churches first pastor. Sempel was born at Rosemount in 1769. He received an excellent education, attending a private school and later a school in Hanover County. His life was forever altered when he attempted to convert a farmer named William Skelton back to the Episcopal church. Instead, the young Semple became a believer in the Baptist doctrines and gained membership at Upper King and Queen Church. He began preaching but was not very good. Amazingly, within a year he was the pastor of the newly created Bruington Baptist Church. He was helped in his ministry by Rev. William Todd and many of the early deacons such as, Josiah Ryland, William Fleet, William Holt, and Thomas Courtney. Rev. Semple was important and influential not just for his work at Bruington, but also for his 1810 publication, A History of the Rise and Progress of Baptist in Virginia, and later Milk for Babes, a catechism for children. In time Rev. Semple would be pastor to at least 3 other churches while serving at Bruington, including Cattail, Beulah, and Colosse. He gained prominence in the Dover association and throughout Virginia. He was the preacher for the Virginia Baptist state meeting in 1823, and was the leader and spokesman for the Association in 1824 and 1825. Semple even was a trustee of what would later become George Washington University. He died on December 25th of 1831. 1,000 people were in attendance at a memorial service at Bruington. In time, both Semple and his wife were moved from their resting place at Mordington to Bruington’s cemetery.

     During Semple’s pastorate, the congregation met in a wood frame structure for a quarter of a century and by around 1818 began raising funds for a new structure. In 1919 Mr. Moses Nunn gave land for the second church in exchange for the land that they were currently occupying. The new brick building would have around 90,000 bricks and would be built by Mr. George C Jeffries. The new structure was plastered by 1822, and whitewashed by 1823. It is described in the Bruington Church Book as having “a gallery and door at each end, and a door, mid-way, on the south side, opposite to which, on the north side, stood the pulpit.” By March of 1831 the church had reestablished their deed after fire had destroyed the King and Queen County clerk’s office and records.

     Over the years the congregation has expanded and contracted with the fluctuation of population and the constitution of new churches in the area. Over 25 members left Bruington and joined the Campbellite church, Smyrna in the early 1830’s. Members from Bruington also formed St. Stephens Baptist Church in 1842 and even shared a pastor for a period of time. Then, after the Civil War Bethlehem and New Mt. Zion emerged from Bruington’s enslaved membership.

     Over the years Bruington ministered to its members that were enslaved, counting and listing enslaved members in the roll book in 1824. By 1835 Bruington sent two pastors Eli Ball and A.L. McLellam to preach to the black members on Sunday afternoons.

     Education was at the forefront in Bruington and a Sunday School was established in 1818 as a separate entity but later united with Sunday services in 1835. There were 60 students and the Religious Herald carried the Sunday School report.

     By 1850 the church was in need of repair. The decision was made not to repair the existing building but to construct ‘a new and suitable house of worship.’ Plans were made and submitted for approval early in 1851 for a structure was not to exceed the cost of $4,000. It was described as follows, “The house will be built of good materials, to be 70 by 45 ft, with a vestibule of 8 feet wide and two sets of gallery steps in the same with side and end galleries to have four outdoors beside the entrance, with a recess pulpit 4 ft by 13 ft.’ This new church was to be built on the same site as the older structure and the congregation was forced to relocate while construction was under way. It took nearly a year to build the two-story brick structure and on Christmas day of 1851 the first services were held in the new building.

     Improvements were made to the structure over the next century. In 1954 plans were made to construct an educational wing. 25,000 dollars was borrowed and work was completed by the middle of 1957. Improvements and modernization of the structure continued throughout the 1900’s and 2000’s.

     The grounds suffered the loss of the giant oak that predated the churches construction and possibly its constitution in June of 2013. The current tree rising from the stump was planted during the churches 225th anniversary and was grown from the seed of the original tree.

    The modern church sanctuary has retained many of the elements from the past. The balcony’s where slaves once sat rises high above the church floor. The church even retains some dividers that separated men from women during services in years past. Time passes, and the landscape changes, all the while Bruington continues to evolve as a structure and serve the community that it has been a part of for over 225 years.

The Meadow Run Grist Mill
A grist mill and general store was owned and operated by the Michie family not far from the tavern. It fell into disrepair, and the Meadow Run Grist Mill was reconstructed in its place in 1976. The c. 1797 mill from Laurel Hill, VA was reassembled to preserve the historical accuracy of the mill and its operations from that time period.

 

 

 

Fine Art and Prints

 Somerwell House

Choctaw

Providence UMC

Bruton Parish Church

In 1633 Middle Plantation Parish was created but by 1674 parishes were consolidated and by 1678 land and 20 pounds of sterling was donated for a structure by Colonel John Page. The structure was 60 by 24 feet in length and of Gothic design. With the founding of William and Mary College and the relocation of the capital to Middle plantation, later Williamsburg, the church was no longer large enough to suit the needs of the population. Governor Alexander Spotswood drafted plans for the current church, a cruciform shaped church and was completed in 1715. Leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry attended when they were in Williamsburg. The church lost much of its income after the capital was moved to Richmond and suffered during the Civil War, where it was even a hospital for wounded Confederate soldiers. Repairs were begun in 1894, then, under the guidance of Reverend W.A.R. Goodwin at the turn of the century the church began to have a rebirth to its former glory. Reverend Goodwin helped convince John D. Rockefeller, Jr. than Williamsburg needed to be restored to its colonial splendor. Bruton Parish Church benefited from the town’s transformation and rebirth. In 1939 restoration of the church was completed and Bruton Parish Church once again stands tall, a beautiful example of colonial architecture.Bruington Baptist Church was constituted in 1790 and met at several structures before arriving at the site of the current church building. From all accounts the giant oak that once stood beside the church had been there for several hundred years. In fact, this quiet sentinel more than likely stood witnessing history as both the United States was born and the community of Bruington grew into the farming community that it is today. In June of 2013 during freak summer storm the massive tree sustained irrevocable damage. During Bruington’s 225th anniversary a descendant of the mighty oak was planted in the middle of the hollowed stump. One day this new tree might once again stand as a symbol of strength refuge in an everchanging world.  http://www.brutonparish.org/shop

Amelia Wildlife Barn

Located in Amelia County, this Barn is part of a 2,217-acre tract that serves as a wildlife management area. The beautiful landscape is bordered to the north by the Appomattox River and includes farmland, hardwoods, a lake, a shooting ranger, and fishing. Much of the area continues to be actively farmed. It is a beautiful backdrop for a stroll, a hike, or other sporting activities.

New Mt. Zion
New Mt. Zion Baptist Church was founded in 1870 in King and Queen County.

 

 

 

Williamsburg Powder Magazine

Barboursville Ruins

Thomas Jefferson designed the Barboursville Mansion for James Barbour, and it was constructed between 1814 and 1822. James Barbour served as the governor of Virginia, a U.S. senator, minister to England, and the secretary of war.
The home was destroyed by a fire on Christmas Day in 1884.

Old Medical School Virginia

Life Saving Station at Virginia Beach
In 1792 Congress allocated $5,000 for structure to help rescue those who were shipwrecked off the North American east coast. By 1873 allocations had reached $100,000. Virginia received 8 life saving stations during this round of funding, one of which, was at Cape Henry. After two shipwrecks off the coast of North Carolina, which resulted in many deaths due to the lack of funding, $75,000 was used to build the new Cape Henry Lighthouse and also Seatack Station. After its inception, a rail line from Norfolk was established to the area, a hotel was built, and the first section of wooden boardwalk was constructed in the vicinity. The station assisted in the rescue of survivors from the Dictator in 1891. The station was replaced in 1903, nearly a decade before the Life Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service was combined to form the U.S. Coast Guard. The building was relocated and restored by The City of Virginia Beach and is a museum today.  

 

 

 

 

 

Aylett Country Day School

Founded in 1966, Aylett Country Day School first began operations in an old Hotel in Walkerton, Va. The independent elementary school constructed its main structure in Millers Tavern four years later, followed by the Owen Gwathmey Gymnasium in 1976. Over the years the school has been enlarged to accommodate the growing student body. It houses pupils from three to fourteen and “is dedicated to academic excellence and the development of a child’s future.”

Gunston Hall

Sachs Covered Bridge

Sachs Coverd Bridge is a town truss covere bridge in Adams County, Pennsylvania.It was in use during the Battle of Gettysburg and was used by both the Union and Confederate soldiers. It was built in 1854.

 

 

 

 

Sotterley’s  Slave Cabin
Sotterley’s 1830’s Slave Cabin has undergone critical restoration in both 1989 and in 2009, and the interior and exterior walls, roof, chimney, and fireplace all received critical stabilization work. This rare structure is vitally important to Sotterley’s interpretation efforts, and central to many of its educational programs including Slavery to Freedom and To Live Enslaved.. To find out more about Sotterley, visit, or buy this print check out www.sotterley.org
 

 

 

 

Marriott

Mattaponi Baptist Church

Mattaponi Baptist Church was consituted in 1828 and was an offshoot of Wares Baptist Church. The congregation repaired the Lower Church of St. Stephen's Parish which was built in 1732 and continues to worship at that location. 
 

 

 

 

Lejune

Site of Stonewall Jackson Death
Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson was a teacher at VMI and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. Jackson was one of Robert E. Lee’s most trusted generals. He was accidently shot by his own troops after fighting at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson’s left arm had to be amputated and he was moved away from the frontlines, to Thomas Chandlers office building at Fairfield Plantation in Caroline County. Pneumonia caused Jackson’s death eight days later on May 10th, 1836.
 
 

 

 

 

Christadelphian Church

Lester Manor Gas Station and Tavern
The Lester Manor Gas station and Tavern were part of a historic village constructed by Carroll Lee Walker. He moved or constructed everything from trains, to carriage houses, to an old store. It was a unique experience to walk among the reconstructed fragments of history gathered all in one location. Whether from nostalgic feelings of seeing Lester Manor as a child or simply a love of history, the site was truly an enjoyable place to visit. The collection of antiques and historical recreations has since been dismantled, but the memory of this beautiful and captivating experience still lives on.

 

 

 

 

 

Brett-Reed Memorial Presbyterian Church

Mt. Rogers/ Greyson Highlands
Located in Greyson County, Mt. Rogers is the highest point in Virginia. The summit is 5,729 feet and gets its name from William Barton Rogers an educator at William and Mary and UVA. He is also the founder of MIT. The area has mountain meadows, or balds where the terrain is scattered with outcroppings of rock and covered with highland grasses. There are many hiking trails, festivals, and a herd of wild ponies that inhabit the park.

 

 

 

 
Wilson Hall
Built in 1931, Wilson Hall is named after President Woodrow Wilson. The architect was Charles M. Robinson and is made of bluestone. It has a 1,400 seat auditorium inside and has served as classrooms and an administrative building.

Wrecked Barn
This barn, ravaged and neglected, still stands. There is a beauty to the visible skeleton of the barn, standing, and in a way defying all odds. We can see what it once was, and as in life, sometimes just enduring is something wonderful. I think that is why I like this image. It may not be the most beautiful barn in the world, but it hasn’t been totally beaten. It is still holding on, just waiting for a little bit of repair work. The cows are still there, the land is still there, and it is just holding on.

Prince George Courthouse
The Prince George Courthouse was built in 1883. Prince George was created in 1703 from Charles City County. The county was formed due to the inconvenience of crossing the James River for settlers in the 1600’s and 1700’s.  The county’s name is derived from Prince George of Denmark, the husband of Queen Anne. The courthouse area also includes a clerks office and jail that date back to the early 1900’s.

 

 

 

 

Minter House
Built in the 1940’s, this bungalow style house has been a part of the Bruington community for decades. It sustained damage in 2011, when Hurricane Irene made landfall and toppled several trees in the yard. One tree landed squarely on the chimney. After much renovation the house was once again inhabitable in 2015.

 

 

 

Union Theological Seminary
Originally a part of Hampden Sydney College in, which was founded in 1775, Union Theological Seminary is one of only 10 Presbyterian Schools in the U.S. It was founded in 1812 and has been located in Richmond since 1898. Virginia and North Carolina have partnered or are in “Union” with one another in regards to theological education. In 1914 the school also created a school for Lay workers. In 2010 the name seminary changed its name to Union Presbyterian Seminary.

 
 

 

 

 

King William Courthouse
Originally a part of King and Queen County, King William County was established in 1702 as the 24th county in Virginia. The Courthouse was built circa 1725 is likely to be the oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States. The Flemish bond structure is considered the, “best preserved” of Virginia’s colonial courthouses. The wall, which keeps livestock from the courthouse green, was built in 1840, as well as an addition to the courthouse. The courthouse was restored in the mid 1980’s and is still in use today.
 

 

 

 

 

 

James K. Polk Historic Site
This building represents the construction style of homes in rural North Carolina during the time in which James K. Polk was born. A homestead would consist of the main dwelling, a separate kitchen, and a barn. Polk was born on this 150-acre farm in Mecklenburg County, NC in 1795. James K. Polk was a lawyer, politician, member of the House of Representatives, Speaker of the House, and the 11th President of the United States. For more information and to get this print check out https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/president-james-k-polk/history

 

 

 

 

James Madison Science Building
The JMU Integrated Science and Technology and Computer Science building was constructed in 1997. It was one of the first of the university’s buildings to be built on the other side of Interstate 81.

 

 

 

 

 

Williamsburg Shoe
In the 1700’s there were possibly 12 shops creating shoes in town. There were differences between women’s and men’s shoes, therefore a third of the shops tended to specifically produce women’s shoes. There were three distinct parts of shoemaking, cutting the uppers, sewing those parts together, and the assembly of the shoe. Payment was made according to the amount of pieces that were produced in order to create the shoe. There were many people with specific jobs that worked on each shoe.

Mattaponi Baptist Church

Griggs Store

 Rotunda
The university itself is one of the 50 oldest institutions of higher learning in the country. The Rotunda at Farmville dates back to the 1880s. Unfortunately, the residence hall caught fire in 2001 and was burned to the ground whilst the school was in the midst of a 12-million-dollar renovation project. Luckily, the paintings created by Eugene D. Monfalcone in 1905 and a statue of Joan of Arc were being restored elsewhere. The fire was extinguished by 181 firemen and over three million gallons of water. Within four years the Rotunda was rebuilt and is once more an important part of the university.
 

 

 

 

 

Sully Plantation

The James Madison Science Building

King and Queen Woman's Club

Learn More about the images Michael has created!

Let Your Light so Shine

Prestley’s Barn
The milk industry in America has its roots in the colonial era. Virginia’s first cattle arrived in 1611 at Jamestown. Colonist made milk, butter, and cheese locally, many producing milk at their own homes.  As America moved from an agricultural society to a more urban society the dairy industry began to grow in the US. In the early 1900’s barn began to adapt adding more windows and ventilation systems that allowed for the circulation of more fresh air, therefore helping to stop the spread of diseases. Silos also became a staple for dairy famers as well as milk houses. Prestley’s Barn has been prominent on Rt. 360 heading east from Richmond since the early 1900’s. Although it has changed through the years it remains a landmark of King William County.

 

 

 

 

The Proctor Plantation 

 St. John's Church

Rotunda at Farmville

Lejeune Hall
Lejeune Hall was the Student Center for the Virginia Military Institute. Around 2010 the barracks were expanded and Lejeune Hall was torn down to provide more space. John Archer Lejeune was the fifth Superintended of VMI and was a nearly 40-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Olive Baptist Church

Historic St. Luke’s Church
St. Luke’s Church is the nation’s oldest surviving Gothic Building. Historic St. Luke’s was built circa 1632 in Warrosquyoake Parish - today’s Isle of Wight County. Originally known simply as the “Old Brick Church,” it served a parish that by 1634 already numbered 522 residents. The building’s Gothic character is reflected in its buttresses, stepped gables, brick-traceried windows and medieval, timber-trussed roof. In the 1600’s, the construction of such a building normally took four or five years; the interior finishing work, many more. In the 17th century, the General Court of the Colony of Virginia was permitted to convene in the church. The high box-pews were designated for use by the “Lord Governour” and “Captaine Generall” who customarily attended a worship service following the court session. The church houses a rare 17th-century American altar and minister’s chairs, 16th and 17th-century Bibles and a circa 1630 English chamber organ -the only surviving intact instrument of its kind in the world. To learn more, visit, or get this art from the gift shop, check out stlukesmuseum.org/

 
 

 

 

 

Watkins Store
The Watkin’s Store once stood at the corner of Canterbury Rd. and The Trail in King and Queen County. The site once had a mill at the same location of the store. It served the community in the early 1900’s but by the 1980’s was derelict. The store was torn town in the early 2000’s.

Fox Tavern
In 1755 William Fox procured a license for a tavern in Port Royal, Virginia. The current structure was built in 1759 and it is most famous for its most famous guest. In 1760, 1773, and on one other occasion George Washington visited the tavern. He spent the night there for five shillings, the equivalent of $1.25 and also ate at the tavern. Fox died in 1772 and when his daughter sold the property in 1795 it was advertised as having an ‘elegant billiard table.’ The colonial house still stands in present day Port Royal.

Wren

Let Your Light so Shine
There have been many interpretations of Jesus, but I have rarely seen Matthew 5:16 portrayed. In a sense this the quintessential idea in Christianity. If we are a follower of Christ, then we put action to our faith. I don’t know if Jesus taught object lessons, or not, but in my minds eye I can see him picking up a candle in a dark room while making this statement. Be light. Be the thing that illuminates a darkened world. Don’t just hide in the shadows, stand firm and do good so that the world will know God through your deeds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church
Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church was born out of the merger of Raleigh Forbes Memorial Baptist Church and Montrose Baptist Church on July 12, 1987. It is affiliated with the BGA and the CBF and offers a variety of ministries to the community.

Piney Point Lighthouse
The Piney Point lighthouse was erected in 1836. Originally, the light could be seen for 10 nautical miles. The lighthouse was visited by several United States presidents and other dignitaries. The location is also home to a shipwrecked German U-Boat. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1964. To find out more about Piney Point, to visit the site, or purchase this and other works through their store, visit

www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/PPL/

 

 

 

 

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was first constructed 1845, however the structure currently on North Carolina’s Outer Banks was built in 1870. The area was an especially dangerous area for ships because of the colliding Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream current. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the second tallest brick lighthouse in the world and the tallest in the United States. Instead of being built on a higher landmass, the base is actually almost at sea level, exposing the need for the structures soaring height. The Lighthouse cost $167,000, was a first order lighthouse, and at the time was the tallest lighthouse in the world. Throughout its history there have been problems with beach erosion causing the lighthouse and its quarters to be moved 2,900 feet. The 257-step structure consists of over one million bricks and has a double helix spiral as its identifying marking. The lighthouse’s 800,000 candle power can be seen for 51 miles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Mt. Zion

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
The cathedral’s construction started in 1903 and was completed by 1905. A portion of the plot had been in the church’s possession since 1865, but no structure was built until Thomas Fortune Ryan and his wife donated money for the cathedral’s construction in 1901. The cornerstone of the cathedral came from the Garden of Gethsemane and was the only cathedral in the world erected with funds from one family.  The Italian Renaissance Revival structure is brought to life by Virginia granite and Indiana limestone. Its 118 ft copper dome is the central feature of the structure and two towers flank the entrance to the church. The structure is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond, and the Catholic Campus Ministry at VCU is the only campus ministry hosted in a cathedral in the US.

Shepherds United Methodist Church
In 1832 William Shepherd gave an old schoolhouse to the Methodist in the area that became Shepherds Chapel. By 1838, the building was replaced with a brick church and used until 1859. At that time a new church was constructed using the bricks from the old 1838 church building. It was used as a gathering place for women during the Civil War. Shepherds is still vibrant and active in the St. Stephens community which it serves.
 

 

 

 

Wade's Mill

Wade's Mill is the oldest continually run mill in Virginia. It has been in operation since 1750 and is family owned and operated.  

 Snowy Church

Bruington Oak

Blandford Church

Upon Petersburg’s highest site sits Blandford Church. Constructed in the mid 1730’s it is one of the oldest structures in Petersburg. By 1805 the site was abandoned by the congregation, but then became an important telegraph station during the Civil War. The church was used as a hospital during the Battle of Petersburg and during the course of the battle was hit by 3 shells. It was acquired by the Ladies Memorial Association of Petersburg, which is possibly one of the oldest secular ladies organizations in the U.S. The group purchased pews and a lectern for the church and it became a memorial for Confederate soldiers. The ladies commissioned Louis Comfort Tiffany to create windows for the church, and 13 states donated windows as well as the Ladies Memorial Association, and Tiffany. The Tiffany windows stand as memorials to the soldiers from each of the 13 states.

Lee Statue
Richmond, Virginia
The Robert E. Lee Monument was dedicated on May 29, 1890. The statue looks to the south and was the first statue on Monument Avenue in Richmond. The sculptor of the monument was Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercie and Paul Pujol created the base. Together the monument is 61 feet tall. Lee was the son of Henry ‘Light Horse Harry’ Lee, a top student at West Point, an officer and military engineer, a distinguished soldier in the Mexican American War, Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, and the President of Washington and Lee University. Lee was offered the role of a major general in the Union Army but did not wish to fight against Virginia.  When he was offered command of the Virginia forces, he accepted. Lee was generally known for unconventional and “brilliant” strategy and tactics while facing much greater odds on the battlefield. He surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865 and negotiated respectable terms of surrender for his men. He spent the rest of his life as an educator at Washington and Lee, where he called for reconciliation and peace.

 

 

 

 

 

Providence
Providence Church was established in 1835. Before its construction church gatherings took place outside or in homes. Methodist had pastors that rode a circuit to preach and teach. Providence became part of the Gloucester circuit, Caroline circuit, and even the Essex circuit before King and Queen gained its own circuit in 1835. Providence started with 12 members on land donated by Lorenzo Dow Brown. The wooden church building was improved in 1875 and then in 1890 a brick church building was constructed in front of the old building.

 

 

 

 

 Smyrna Christian Church

Christadelphian Church
This is the Christadelphian Church located in Lanesville, in King William County. The Christadelphians began in the 1840s under the leadership of Dr. John Thomas. Christadelphians adhered to a personal understanding and discernment of scripture. The Lanesville church was built around 1875 from members of a church in Acquinton, Virginia, under the leadership of Dr. Lemuel Edwards. Dr. Thomas visited this congregation several times, and the church grew to more than 60 members. Unfortunately, it had ceased in Lanesville by 1964.

Rotunda
The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson 1819.  Jefferson envisioned a pantheon-like building as the central focal point of the new school and plans for the building were presented in 1821. The central Rotunda was designed to house the school’s library. It was finally finished around 1832, although extra classroom space was added in 1841 and then in 1854. The Rotunda suffered water damage in the late 1800’s and then fire destroyed the building in 1895. The reconstructed Rotunda had a larger dome and much needed improvements, and was dedicated in 1898. Later, in the 1960’s it was decided that the university should restore the Rotunda to Jefferson’s original design. The restoration was completed in time for the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976. The most recent renovations were completed in 2016.

 

 

 

 

Peyton-Brockenbrough House

Doggett House

Williamsburg Courthouse

Shepherd's Store
Although no longer an active store, the structure that once was Shepherd’s Store still stands tall in the small town of Walkerton, Va. In the early 1900’s it was at the center of a thriving town. My great aunt told stories of taking chickens from the yard to go barter for necessities at the store in Walkerton. As larger stores with bigger selection took shoppers from the area the store ceased to be in business. It now stands on a hill overlooking the Mattaponi River.
 

 

 

 

Mt. Vernon
Augustine Washington, George Washington’s father, constructed a one and one-half story farm house in 1735, and this building was slowly enlarged into the present structure. After passing to Lawrence Washington, who named it Mt. Vernon, George Washington obtained the property in 1754. George expanded and refined the mansion until the residence evolved into a 21-room mansion. The construction and renovation of Mt. Vernon occupied George Washington for 45 years, during which he oversaw and advised on every aspect of the house.

 

 

 

President's House

 Sotterley Plantation
Sotterely Plantation was purchased in 1699 by James Bowels, who constructed the first two-room plantation house on his property using post-in-ground construction. It was home to George Platter III who was a member of the 2nd Continental Congress, helped to draft the first Maryland Constitution, and became Maryland’s sixth governor. Sotterley was also home to slaves for 165 years. It was sold several times before being restored by Herbert L. Satterlee and his wife, Louisa Pierpont Morgan Satterlee. They opened the house to the public as a no-profit historic foundation in 1961. To find out more about Sotterley, visit, or buy this print check out www.sotterley.org
 

 

 

 

Snowy Barn

Growing up on a farm meant treks into the icy unknown after each passing snowstorm. I would wait frozen before the television to see if school would be canceled. Each fluttering flake would bring me closer to an adventure into a pristine wintery wonderland. This barn was at the end of a field, where the tree line met the agricultural expanse. It was the gateway into an enchanted forest of snow and ice. In a land so beautiful and majestic, this barn was a gem. It would shed its rustic exterior for a glittering white covering that would be more unique and beautiful with each passing snowstorm.

Upper King and Queen Baptist Church
Formed in 1774 Upper King and Queen Baptist Church had 43 members by 1779. It was formed from Upper Essex Church and Younger Pitts became its first pastor. The Revolutionary War put much strain on the young church but it persisted under the leadership of Theodrick Noel. Robert Baylor Semple also pastored the church for over a decade and by the middle of the 1800’s the role exceeded 600 members. Former enslaved members from Upper King and Queen formed First Mount Olive Baptist Church. The structure has had several additions, including a new fellowship hall and the church remains active in King and Queen.

 
 

 

 

 

. Shirley Plantation
Shirley Plantation was founded in 1613 and has remained in the same family for generations. It is the oldest family owned business in the United States. The present mansion’s construction began in 1723 and was completed in 1738. Shirley Plantation is one of the most intact 18th century estates in the Commonwealth of Virginia and boasts the only “Flying Staircase” and Queen Anne Forecourt surviving in North America.To find out more information on Shirley Plantation, to visit , or buy this work of art check out www.shirleyplantation.com

 

 

 

 

Mabry Mill

King and Queen Tavern Museum

Washington Grist Mill
George Washington’s gristmill was built in the early 1770’s implementing state of the art technology for the time period. It used an automated system of milling invented and patented by Oliver Evans, who holds Patent #3 for this system of transporting wheat within the mill without manual labor. The mill could produce between
five to eight thousand pounds of cornmeal and flour per day.

 

Williamsburg Powder Magazine
This octagonal structure was constructed in 1715 and used to house munitions for the protection of the Colony of Dunmore removed the gunpowder from this site to a naval vessel. Under the leadership of Patrick Henry, a militia force attempted to force the return of the powder. Compensation of 330 pounds was made and conflict was avoided.

 Dr. Samuel Mudd House
Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd was born in Charles County, Maryland in 1833. He attended medical school at the Baltimore Medical College, before returning home to start his practice and marry his childhood sweetheart, Sara Frances Dyer. He was given “St. Catherine” plantation by his father and it has remained in the same
family for over two hundred years. On April 14th, 1865 John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. His leg was broken during the attack, and he and David Herold stopped at Dr. Mudd’s house for medical attention. The doctor attended to the broken
limb and allowed the travelers to rest. Union cavalry caught up with
them in Virginia, where Booth was killed. For more information and my art check out the Mudd house at https://drmudd.org/

 

 

 

 

Wrecked Barn

 Sotterley Plantation

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BTSR VIRGINIA HALL

The Baptist Theological opened in 1991 in Richmond, Virginia. At the time of its closure in 2019, it was one of the theological schools receiving support from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. It was backed by the Alliance of Baptist, The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and the Baptist General Association of Virginia. BTSR partnered with the Richmond Theological Consortium and Union Presbyterian Seminary.   Virginia Hall was one of the main buildings of the BTSR campus. It was built in the early 1920’s by Union Theological Seminary. The buildings, purchased in 1997, were systematically sold by BTSR in 2013 as the seminary relocated.

Old BSU at VCU

Somerwell House
Named for Mungo Somerwell, the Somerwell house in Yorktown, VA was built possibly around 1700. It was later purchased by the Lightfoots around 1720 and has been owned by the National Park Service in the 1930’s. The home was witness to the American Revolution and was used as a hospital during the Civil War.
 

 

 

 

Meems Bottom Bridge
Located in Shenandoah County, Meems Bottom Bridge is a 204-foot-long covered bridge. This fourth version of a covered bridge at this location is the longest covered bridge in Virginia. The crossing was originally constructed in 1868 and the current bridge was erected in 1894. The name is derived from the Meems family which owned much land in the area. The Burr Truss designed bridge consists of nearly 57,000 feet of timber and was built by John Woods. The bridge was burned in 1979, but was salvaged and reconditioned. Steel beams and pillars beneath the bridge have been added. The covered bridge is traversable by motor vehicle.

 

 

 

Prince George Courthouse

Old Church
Old Church, also known as Upper Church, Stratton Major Parish was built between 1724 to 1729. It has its origins as an Episcopal church but was later used by the Baptists and Methodists for the majority of its existence. It is a 64-foot-long church with a gable roof and regular brick structure. The building’s interior was destroyed in the mid 1800’s by fire but has since been restored. It is located on Route 14.

 

 

 

 

Burruss

Fort Monroe Lighthouse

The Augustine Moore House

The Augustine Moore house stands in Yorktown, Virginia, and is the site where the British, under the leadership of General Cornwallis, surrendered to the Patriots. General George Washington allowed Cornwallis a two-hour cease fire for the terms of surrender to be negotiated on October 18, 1781. The Moore house might have been chosen for its proximity to the battlefield, but it was also one of the few structures in the Yorktown vicinity that had not sustained damage during the fighting. Articles of surrender were worked out and sent to Gen. Washington and after minor changes the revised document was agreed upon by both generals.

The Moore House was first a part of land patented by Governor John Harvey during the middle of the 1600’s, acquired in the 1700’s by Lawrence Smith, Robert Smith, and finally Augustine Moore by the time of the Revolution. Moore was a merchant and later an apprentice and partner at the Thos Nelson Jr. and Co. during his time at the Moore House.

Presidents House
The Presidents House at William and Mary was built in 1732 by Henry Cary, Jr. It is a Flemish bond structure in the vicinity of the Wren Building. It’s design mirrors the Brafferton building which stands directly across from it. During the Revolutionary War, General Cornwallis made his headquarters at the Presidents House. It was used as a hospital for the French and burned during this time. It was rebuilt in 1786 with money from the French government but suffered fires in 1879,1916, and 1922. It was restored in 1931 and has been officially used as a college presidents residence longer than any other in the United States.

Lester Manor

Currituck Lighthouse
Located in Corolla in North Carolina, the Currituck Beach lighthouse was built in 1875. It stands between the Cape Henry lighthouse and the Bodie Island lighthouse. Unlike most other lighthouses in the area, the brick structure was not painted. It is 162 feet tall, has 220 steps, and is a first order lighthouse, having the largest Fresnel lens. The automated 20 second flash cycle can be seen for 18 nautical miles.

Chippokes Plantation

Rotunda

Governor's Mansion of Virginia

Cumberland Gap Covered Bridge
Located in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, this covered bridge is not conventional. It is located on an old railroad bridge and in the 1990’s was converted into a pedestrian walkway. The L and N railroad line which ran through this region and had lines from Cincinnati to Atlanta in the early 20th century. It is part Cumberland Gap’s rich heritage of the movement of people and goods across the Appalachian Mountains. Prior to English settlers, the area was used by Native Americans for passage across the mountains. The gap gained attention of pioneers when Thomas Walker, from Walkerton, Virginia, explored the area in 1750. The gap was part of the wilderness road, and is a V shaped gap about 300 feet above the valley.

Peyton – Brockenbrough House
The Brockenbrough House was constructed in the middle of the 1700’s and was one of the finest houses at Port Royal, VA. It was owned by Champe Brockenbrough and later deeded to their daughter Elizabeth Peyton. Later the Valentine Peyton family acquired the home and lived there, making numerous changes. John Wilkes Booth and his allies sought refuge at the house but were turned away by the Peytons. The home is located on King Street in Port Royal, Virginia.

 

 

 

 

Oakland Barn

Martin's Brandon Church

Meems Bottom Bridge

Barboursville Ruins

Sachs Covered Bridge

Cape Henry Lighthouse
In 1881 concerns were raised about the stability of the standing at Cape Henry and a new lighthouse was completed in the same year. Standing 350 feet from the original, the first structure built by the United States, the second lighthouse has a distinctive black and white rectangle pattern and is still operational and used by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is located at Fort Story, an active military base. Both lighthouses are still standing and the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse can be toured.

Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church

Governor’s Mansion of Virginia
The Governors Mansion of Virginia is the oldest in the United States specifically built as housing for a governor. Designed by Alexander Parris it took the place of an earlier residence. The Federal Style building is a painted brick structure and is decorated with panels of garlands and swags. The front of the house maintains authentic furniture and décor from the 1800’s, whereas, the rear of the structure has a classically decorated ballroom, and the second floor houses the private residence of the governor. The house also has a sunken garden, original kitchen, and original stables. No other building has been continuously used as a residence governors’ residence for a longer period of time.

Christ Church
Christ Church was built in Lancaster, Virginia in 1735 by Robert “King” Carter to replace the wooden church his father had built in 1670. Carter owned 48 plantations on 300,000 acres. He had vast wealth and wielded great political power as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses, treasurer, and even the acting governor of Virginia. The church itself has original high-backed box pews, the only in Virginia. It has a triple-decker pulpit. There are only two of these to survive. The church is rich in architectural beauty, from its compass-headed window to the vaulted ceilings.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart