Powhatan, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Powhatan
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Central Powhatan, with the courthouse in the middle
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 Powhatan
Location in Richmond metropolitan area
Powhatan
Location in Virginia
Powhatan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Powhatan |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
23139
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Powhatan is a community in Virginia, United States. It is known as the county seat of Powhatan County. This means it is the main town where the county's government offices are located. Powhatan is also called a census-designated place, which is a special area defined for counting people and collecting information.
The community was named after Chief Powhatan, a famous Native American leader. He was the father of Matoaka, who is better known as Pocahontas.
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A Look Back: Powhatan's History
Powhatan has a long and interesting history. It was first known by a different name: Scottville. This name honored General Charles Scott, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. Over time, it was also called Powhatan Court House or Powhatan Courthouse.
Early Beginnings
The community of Powhatan officially started in May 1777. However, some buildings were already standing before that time. One of these is the Powhatan Plantation, which was built way back in 1735. This old plantation still exists today, showing a link to the past.
The very first official court meeting for Powhatan County happened at Mosby Tavern. This tavern was the home of Benjamin Mosby and his son, Littleberry Mosby.
Art and Culture
Powhatan is home to some notable art. The Shiloh Baptist Church in Powhatan features a famous mural called The Lord Over Jordan. This artwork was created by Julien Binford, a well-known painter. It is considered one of his most important works.
Famous People from Powhatan
Many interesting people have connections to Powhatan. Here are a few:
- Julien Binford – A talented painter, known for his murals.
- Tom Miller – A professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball.
- Littleberry Mosby – A military officer from early American history.
- Marvin Banks Perry Jr. – A leader in education who served as president of two colleges: Goucher College and Agnes Scott College.
