Leesylvania in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Rippon Lodge
Noted for his craftsmanship on the first Falls Church and other structures for prominent landowners, to include the Washington family. Richard Blackburn (1710-1757) built Rippon Lodge as his main estate house circa 1747. Richard's son, Thomas Blackburn, a Revolutionary War veteran, expanded the house circa 1800. Wade Ellis altered it again to its present Colonial Revival style after 1924. Antarctic explorer Admiral Richard Blackurn Black, a descendent of Richard Blackburn, acquired the house in 1952. Prince William County purchased Rippon Lodge in 1999. The house and its remaining 42 acres opened to the public in 2007.
Erected 2013 by Prince William County Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Virginia, Prince William County Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1747.
Location. 38° 36.973′ N, 77° 16.531′ W. Marker is in Leesylvania, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is at the intersection of Blackburn Road and Admiral Black Drive, on the right when traveling
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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 Doeg People (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Landscape (approx. 0.2 miles away); Centuries of History (approx. 0.2 miles away); Latrobe's View (approx. 0.2 miles away); Neabsco Creek (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Rippon Lodge (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Burying Ground (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stones, but No Bones (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesylvania.
Other markers no longer nearby. Historic Landscape (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Centuries of History (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Latrobe's View (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Kevin W., January 2, 2025
3. Rippon Lodge main entrance and Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 29, 2019
5. National Register of Historic Places plaque on Rippon Lodge
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 654 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on October 1, 2025, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on January 5, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
