Photo by Richard Lykes

Photo by Richard Lykes

Montpelier

Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register

Montpelier, in the FT- Valley near Sperryville, was placed on both registers in 1973. The huge old home was built around 1735, one of three built for Francis Thornton 11 and his wife, Mary, and their sons An addition, including two more upstairs bedrooms, was put on the house in the late 1800s. In later years, the property through the Thornton family to their descendants in the Fletcher family. After standing vacant for a number of years, Montpelier was purchased in September 2004 by Mr and Mrs. Roger Scruton The Scrutons quickly commenced an ambitious rehabilitation project, which will be finished later this year

Mount Salem Baptist Meeting House, located on Long Mountam Road southeast of Washington, Va„ was placed on the Virginia register in 1078, and on the National register the following vear The federal-style church, built in 1824, sits right beside the road It is impressive in both its size and state of preserv ation

Ben Venue, located on Route 729 just off U S 211, was placed on both registries in 1979. The Ben Venue homestead, which today consists of the main residence, numerous farm buildings and brick cottages, dates back to 1805 Ben Venue is owned bv Mrs Louise King Eastham.whose family has owned the proper y for more than 200 years Recently, Mrs Eastham put 1,885 acres of the property under an open space easement. The main house is currently under renovation

The Calvert (or Washington) Mill sits |ust below U S 211 at the eastern entrance to the Town of Washington. It was listed on the Virginia register in 1980, and the National register in 1982 Long out-of-use and vacant, the mill building represents an early 19th century rural industnal facility

The John W. Miller House, located at the intersection of Route 707 and Route 804 near Boston, was placed on the V irginia register in 1990 and the National register in 1991 Tire Italianate structure dates back to 1825, and includes several outbuildings and a cemetery

Caledonia Farm is located on Hearing Road near the intersection of Fodders tack Road near Flint Hill. The main house - a stone, federal-style structure - was built in 1812 Restoration of the residence was completed in 1985, and the property, owned by Phil Irwin, now serves as a premier bed-and-breakfast "Caledonia" - the mythical name for Scotland - was placed on both registers in 1990

Flint Hill Baptist Church, on Route 522 just south of the village, is a late Victorian structure, dating to 1854 It has been on both registers since 1997 Pastor of Flint' Hill Baptist Church ls Rev Robert Goff . Services are held there at 11 a m. Each Sunday

See SITES, Page 39