Powhatan Rural Historic District

Powhatan Rural Historic District is a rural heritage area near King George with 15 contributing buildings, one historic site, and three structures spread across about 1,100 acres. The main residence sits on a ridge overlooking the Rappahannock River valley and the farmed landscape around it.

Edward Thornton Tayloe, a member of the U.S. diplomatic service, assembled this land in the mid-1800s from earlier Tayloe family properties. The estate evolved from Hopyard Plantation to Powhatan Hill Plantation before gaining national historic registration in 1992.

The district contains three separate clusters of old farm residences, each showing architectural styles from the Greek Revival and Federal periods. These building types reflect how rural Virginians lived and built during the 1800s.

This is a quiet, spread-out location with several buildings scattered across farmland. Visitors should expect unpaved roads and open countryside, and dress appropriately for walking and outdoor exploration.

The property carried different names across its history, showing how the land and its ownership shifted over the decades. These name changes tell their own story about how the region developed.

Location: Virginia

GPS coordinates: 38.24670,-77.20890

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46