Near Charlottesville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Open Porch

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 9, 2021

1. The Open Porch Marker

Inscription. Above your head, part of the ceiling has been left exposed. Here in the crawl space, we found evidence that explained how Pleasant Sowell finished the exterior of his house. Along the wall, closest to the ceiling, three boards of the original siding were revealed. In the 1820s these beaded boards were on the outside of the house. They were concealed when the Open Porch and two smaller rooms were added after the Civil War. Today, we have restored the exterior using heart poplar siding, the same material Pleasant used over 170 years ago. Compare the 19th century heart poplar with a sample of the beaded heart poplar siding Michie Tavern used to restore the house in 1994.

Erected by Michie Tavern.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1994.

Location. 38° 0.498′ N, 78° 27.849′ W. Marker is near Charlottesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. It can be reached from Thomas Jefferson Parkway (Virginia Route 53) 0.1 miles east of Michie Tavern Lane ( Route 1102), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is at or near this postal address: 683 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville VA 22902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Sowell House Floor Plan (here, next to this marker); The Sowell House ca. 1822 (a few steps from this marker); Piney River Cabin ca. 1790 (within shouting distance of this marker); Tobacco Barn ca. 1790 (within shouting distance of this marker); Michie Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Michie Tavern (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Meadow Run Grist Mill ca. 1797 (about 400 feet away); The Monticello Graveyard (approx. half

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 9, 2021

2. The Open Porch Marker

a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Other markers no longer nearby. Piney River Cabin (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Tobacco Barn ca.1790 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Meadow Run Grist Mill (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.