Historic Bowman-Cropper House, Accomack County, VA 1815

This vintage photograph captures a significant architectural heritage of Accomack County, Virginia. The house depicted was originally built by Edmund Bowman, a local Justice, and features elements typical of the early 19th-century wood construction style. In 1815, the property was transformed by John Cropper, an Englishman, whose marriage to Bowman’s daughter, Gertrude, linked the families and established a lasting legacy. The residence has remained within the Cropper family since its construction.

The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, a project that documents historic buildings across the region. This particular photo was taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston, a noted photographer known for her contributions to architectural photography. The original film negative has deteriorated over time, but a digital file created from an interpositive in the 1980s offers an important glimpse into the structures detail, including its distinctive porches and dormers.

The photograph serves as a valuable educational resource, illustrating the historical significance of the regions architecture and the enduring family ties that shaped its legacy.