Ben Venue (Washington, Virginia) facts for kids
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Ben Venue
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Ben Venue in May, 2016
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Northeast of Washington on VA 729, near Washington, Virginia |
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| Area | 73 acres (30 ha) |
| Built | 1844-1846 |
| Built by | Powers, James Leake |
| Part of | Ben Venue Rural Historic District (ID15001042) |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003075 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 28, 1979 |
| Designated CP | February 2, 2016 |
Ben Venue is a very old and important home and farm located near Washington in Rappahannock County, Virginia. It's a special place because it shows us what life was like long ago in the 1800s.
The main house was built between 1844 and 1846. It's a large, three-story building made of brick. It has five sections across the front and a roof that slopes down on the sides. The roof also has decorative walls called parapets.
The front of the house has a one-story porch. This porch covers the middle three sections of the house. It has four strong columns in the Doric order style. These are like the classic Greek columns you might see in pictures of ancient buildings. They support a decorative beam above them.
What's on the Property?
Besides the main house, the Ben Venue property includes several other historic buildings. These buildings help tell the story of the farm's past.
- There are three brick cabins that were once used by enslaved people. These structures are an important part of understanding the history of the farm and the people who lived and worked there.
- You can also find the original Fletcher homestead. This was an earlier home on the land.
- Other buildings include a kitchen and a smokehouse. A smokehouse was used to preserve meat.
- There's also a privy, which was an outdoor toilet.
- The property also features a formal garden. This garden was carefully designed with a specific layout.
Why is Ben Venue Important?
Ben Venue is recognized as a significant historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it's a place that the United States government believes is worth preserving for future generations.
Being on the National Register helps protect the property. It ensures that its history and unique architecture are kept safe. Ben Venue is a great example of a large farm from the mid-1800s in Virginia.
