Vintage 1730 Building in Petersburg, Virginia, 1953 Photo

This vintage photograph, taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston, showcases a historical wooden building located in Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. The structure dates back to approximately 1730 and was constructed by Captain Howell Briggs. This building holds significance as the birthplace of his son, Gray Briggs, who later served as a member of the House of Burgesses from 1752 to 1758.

The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, a collection aimed at documenting the architectural heritage of the region. The survey provides valuable insights into the early American architecture and the social history of its inhabitants.

Acquired from the Frances Benjamin Johnston estate in 1953, this photograph is an important artifact that connects viewers to Virginias colonial past. It serves as a reminder of the architectural styles and historical figures that shaped the area.