By Ruth Doumlele
Contributing Writer

Tudor, Eastlake, Federal, vernacular, or eclectic – these and other architectural styles will be seen in the Powhatan County Historical Society’s historical homes tour on September 18.

“From Bell Road to Ballsville, a Journey in Architectural Diversity” features four western Powhatan homes and a country church, offering visitors interesting examples of architectural styles between 1733 and 1898, along with fascinating segments of history.

* * *

French’s Tavern, of eighteenth-century vernacular architecture, reflects its use with two separate structures from different periods that have been joined. Colonel Francis Eppes of Bermuda Hundred patented land there in 1730 and referred to his “grant house.” Thomas Jefferson later inherited it through his through his wife, Martha Wayles Jefferson, and sold it in 1777 to pay off his father-in-law’s debts.

Inside a closet in the older part is written, “one shirt did not come in” indicating that the first floor was probably a store. This wing was joined to the later structure when a tavern began operations there. Hugh French became the ordinary keeper and purchased the property in 1807.

French’s Tavern’s location on Old Buckingham Road made the structure uniquely related to early transportation in the area.

French’s Tavern, 6100 Old Buckingham Road, is owned by Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Neurohr.

* * *

Edgemont was part of a land patent granted by King George II in 1728. The house was built sometime between 1764 and 1794, when James McLaurine purchased it and made several additions.

The home had two full stories on the right but the single bay on the left side had a one-story shed roof with dormer windows. Between 1815-1817 the shed roof was raised, the gable roof was extended across the house and the second floor dormers were removed.

Edgement was the birthplace, in 1833, of James McLaurine’s grandson, John Singleton Mosby, who became one of the most flamboyant leaders in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was known as the “Grey Ghost” for his exploits in fighting Union troops.

Edgemont, 2211 Ballsville Road, is owned by Mr. and Mrs. David Kuroski.

* * *

Belmead is one of two complete examples of the Gothic Villa in Virginia, the other being Staunton Hill in Charlotte County. It was built for Philip St. George Cocke, a wealthy landowner. Cocke, a West Point graduate, returned to Virginia following a brilliant military career.

After Cocke’s death Belmead had several owners before Colonel Edward de Vaux Morrell and his wife purchased it in the 1890s for $28,000. In 1897 the Morrells conveyed Belmead to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, who opened it as a private school for young African-American men.

The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament still reside at Belmead, 5000 Cartersville Road.

* * *

Rosemont’s eclectic style is seen in Queen Anne-Eastlake architecture, an I-plan and Gothic detailing. The frame house was built by C. L. Dodd in 1898 as a residence while he oversaw the construction of St. Francis de Sales High School.

Eastlake architecture was named for Charles Lohr Eastlake, an English interior designer, and became popular in America during the Victorian era. It is characterized by an absence of internal hallways. Eastlake’s style was used in the construction of San Francisco homes called the “painted ladies.”

Some of the house’s features suggest that Dodd may have used materials similar to those used in St. Francis’s construction, while colored tiles and the stained glass windows characterize Eastlake influence. There are two rear Queen Anne windows.

Rosemont, 4747 Cosby Road, is owned by Mr. Swift Williams.

The tour will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on September 18. Advance tickets may be purchased by mail for $20 until September 11. After September 11 block tickets are $25 and may be purchased at each home on tour day.

Advance tickets may be purchased between September 1 and September 11 at The Complete Picture, 3835 Old Buckingham Rd, and Central Virginia Bank, 2351 Anderson Highway, in Powhatan; Kathleen’s Fudge, 1328 Sycamore
Square; Gameboard Antiques, 16300 Anderson Highway; and Kathy’s Kopies, 13144 Midlothian Turnpike, in Midlothian. Box lunches are $10 and must be ordered by Sept. 11 and may be picked up on tour
day at Belmead between noon and 2:00 p.m.

There will be a horticultural exhibit at Belmead. For more information contact Bev Baker at (804) 598-4977 or Jane
Carroll at (804) 598-8771.