Historic Residence in Albemarle County, VA (1864)

This vintage photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, taken in 1864, features a historic residence located in Albemarle County, Virginia, near Keene. The house, which dates back to 1806, was the home of Colonel James Powell Cocke. Notably, it was designed by Thomas Jefferson, drawing inspiration from the Villa Rotunda design of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio.

The architectural elements captured in the image include distinctive bay windows that enhance the buildings aesthetic appeal. The photograph is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which documents significant architectural sites throughout the region. This survey serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the architectural heritage of the American South.

This image not only represents an important historical structure but also reflects the artistic vision of one of Americas founding fathers. It provides a glimpse into the architectural styles that shaped Virginias landscape in the 19th century.