Ben Venue

Ben Venue is a three-story brick building with five window bays, a side gable roof, parapets, and a one-story porch supported by four Doric columns on the front facade. The structure sits on elevated ground on a 73-acre property northeast of Washington.

Construction took place between 1844 and 1846 under builder James Leake Powers for owner William V. Fletcher, reflecting the classical architectural style of that era. The property represents plantation life during the decades before the Civil War.

The three brick structures for enslaved people on the property reveal how they lived and worked on 19th-century plantations. Visitors can experience directly how these spaces were organized within the larger estate.

The property sits in an elevated position along VA 729 with good views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors should note the rural location and plan accordingly for access and parking near the site.

The buildings for enslaved people feature rare matching architectural details with the main house, including parapet gables and corbeled shoulders. This level of design consistency is unusual for structures of this type and period in the region.

Location: Rappahannock County

GPS coordinates: 38.72167,-78.06417

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:06