Appomattox in Appomattox County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Sweeney Prizery

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

1. Sweeney Prizery Marker

Inscription. A prizery was a building where tobacco was packed in large barrels, known as hogsheads, for shipping. This prizery, built circa 1790's by Alexander Sweeney, is one of the oldest buildings in the park.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.

Location. 37° 23.16′ N, 78° 46.858′ W. Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It can be reached from Old Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 24) north of Horseshoe Road ( Route 656), on the right when traveling north. Marker is within Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, on the Tobacco Prizery Nature Trail - accessible only on foot from the trail head at Lee's Headquarters Wayside. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Appomattox VA 24522, 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Civil War Landscape (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Vegetation (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confederate Field Hospital (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lee’s Last Headquarters (approx. 0.4 miles away); ANV Headquarters (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confederates Trapped (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lee's Apple Tree (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Charles Sweeney Cabin (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

Regarding Sweeney Prizery. The prizery's association with the Appomattox surrender is simply that Confederates camped on the grounds around it. The building is frame, but has been clad in metal sheeting by the National Park Service to protect it from deterioration. For this reason, the exterior appearance of the building in the

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

2. Sweeney Prizery & Marker

modern era is not what it would have been historically.

According to the Historic Resources Study and Cultural Landscapes Inventory Reports from the National Parks, this building is the oldest within the park by at least 20 years, with the next oldest structure being the 1819 Clover Hill Tavern.

Sweeney Prizery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

3. Sweeney Prizery

While the frame walls are hidden from the visitor by the protective metal sheeting, the stone chimney and foundation are original exterior features of the prizery. It was converted for use as a residence later in its history.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 69 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 21, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.