Rippon Lodge, human settlement in Virginia, United States of America
Rippon Lodge is a historic house built around 1747 in Virginia, featuring simple colonial architecture with original brick walls and wooden details. The property spans about 43 acres between Neabsco Creek and the Potomac River, with interior rooms displaying period furniture, wood floors, and fireplaces.
The house was built in 1747 for Richard Blackburn and played a role during the Revolutionary War when Thomas Blackburn served in the militia. The property later passed through several owners, including an admiral who acquired it in the 1950s, until the family sold it to the county in 2000.
The lodge reveals how a colonial family lived and connected to other prominent families in the region through marriage. The bond with the Washington family, formed when Thomas Blackburn's daughter married Bushrod Washington, places this house within the story of early American founding.
The site offers both self-guided visits and guided tours with stories about the house, land, and families who lived there. Virtual tours with tablets and multilingual guides are available, along with picnic areas on the grounds and walking trails to explore.
Admiral Richard Blackburn Black, the last private owner, was a direct descendant of the original founder and explored Antarctica with another noted explorer. The grounds are now designated as a bee sanctuary, actively supporting local pollinator populations through ecological methods.
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