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

Miles B. Carpenter

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 18, 2010

1. Miles B. Carpenter Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Miles B. Carpenter (1889-1985) moved to a Sussex County peanut farm from Pennsylvania in 1902. He entered the lumber business in 1912 with a planing mill and sawmill. When business slowed during World War II, he whittled figures but did not carve in earnest until the 1960s, when his watermelons, peanut men, and whimsical monsters earned him a national reputation as a folk artist. Carpenter's woodcarvings reflected the influence of Sussex County's two major industries: lumber and peanuts.

Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-308.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 37° 2.26′ N, 77° 5.635′ W. Marker is in Waverly, Virginia, in Sussex County. Marker is at the intersection of North County Drive (U.S. 460) and Hunter Street (Virginia Route 653), on the right when traveling east on North County Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waverly VA 23890, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

N County Dr (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 18, 2010

2. N County Dr (facing east)

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markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. World War I Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); World War II - Korea - Vietnam Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Coppahaunk Springs (approx. ¼ mile away); Ellis Preaching House (approx. 2.3 miles away); Early Peanut Crop (approx. 3.6 miles away); Carsley United Methodist Church (approx. 6.3 miles away); Jerusalem Baptist Church (approx. 6.3 miles away); Roadside Commerce (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waverly.

Also see . . .
1. Miles Burkholder Carpenter. Smithsonian American Art Museum (Submitted on September 20, 2010.)

2. Miles B. Carpenter House. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on September 20, 2010.)

3. Miles B Carpenter Museum of Folk Art. (Submitted on November 14, 2021.)

Miles B. Carpenter Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 18, 2010

3. Miles B. Carpenter Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 691 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.