Maiden Spring facts for kids
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Maiden Spring
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Front of the farmhouse
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jct. of VA 609 and VA 91, Pounding Mill, Virginia |
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| Area | 600 acres (240 ha) |
| Built | 1769, 1838 |
| Architectural style | Central-passage plan |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000987 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 16, 1994 |
Maiden Spring is a special historic home and farm in Pounding Mill, Virginia. It's like a time capsule that shows us what life was like long ago. This place is so important that it's listed as a national historic district.
A historic district means a whole area, not just one building, is protected because of its history. Maiden Spring includes the main house and many other old buildings. These buildings help tell the story of the people who lived and worked here.
Contents
What is Maiden Spring?
Maiden Spring is a large farm with a big main house and several other buildings. The main house is two stories tall and has a special design called a "central-passage plan." This means it has a hallway right through the middle. Part of the house was built around 1772, and more was added in 1838.
Buildings on the Farm
Besides the main house, there are many other interesting buildings at Maiden Spring. Each one had a special job on the farm:
- A meat house was used to store and preserve meat.
- A summer kitchen was a separate building for cooking in hot weather. This kept the main house cooler.
- A horse barn and a stock barn housed the farm animals.
- A hen house was where the chickens lived.
- A granary or corn crib stored grains like corn.
- There's also a schoolhouse where children on the farm likely learned.
- The actual Maiden Spring is a natural water source that gave the farm its name.
- There's also a cemetery on the property.
Important People at Maiden Spring
Maiden Spring was once home to some important people. One of them was Rees Bowen (1809–1879). He was a magistrate (a type of judge) and a congressman. A congressman is someone who helps make laws for the country in the United States Congress.
Rees Bowen's son, Henry Bowen (1841-1915), also lived here and became a congressman. These men played a role in the history of their state and country.
Maiden Spring During the Civil War
During the American Civil War (1861-1865), Maiden Spring Farm saw some action. Troops from the Confederate Army actually camped on the farm. This shows how important the location was during that time in history.
Why is Maiden Spring Historic?
Maiden Spring is considered very important because it shows us what a large farm was like in the 18th and 19th centuries. The buildings and the land tell a story of farming life, family history, and even national events like the Civil War.
Because of its rich history, Maiden Spring was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to our country's history. Being on this list helps protect the site for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
