National Register Listing

Mosby Tavern

a.k.a. Littleberry Mosby House; Cumberland Old Courthouse

2625 Old Tavern Rd., Powhatan, VA
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Politics/government; Commerce

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture politics government commerce
Audiobooks about the history of Virginia.
The first African American governor in the United States, L. Douglas Wilder, was elected in Virginia in 1989.
Virginia random facts
Powhatan County, Virginia has a rich history that dates back centuries. It is named after the Chief Powhatan, the leader of the Powhatan Confederacy. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Powhatan people, who lived off the land and engaged in hunting and farming.

European settlers arrived in the area in the early 17th century. Captain John Smith and his crew explored the region in 1607, encountering the Powhatan Confederacy. Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, was established nearby in 1607, and the proximity of Powhatan County to Jamestown influenced its development as a trading and agricultural center.

During the American Revolution, Powhatan County played a significant role. The county raised troops for the Continental Army, and a number of skirmishes took place in the area. The Battle of Ettrick in 1781, for example, was a crucial engagement that helped pave the way for victory in the Revolutionary War.

After the war, Powhatan County experienced growth and development. The construction of the Richmond and Danville Railroad in the mid-19th century stimulated economic activity in the region. Agriculture, particularly tobacco production, remained a major industry, while the river provided transportation routes for goods and people.

In modern times, Powhatan County has continued to evolve. It transformed from an agrarian community to a suburban area with the expansion of Richmond's metropolitan area in the late 20th century. Today, the county maintains a balance between preserving its rural charm and embracing growth and development, making it a desirable place to live in central Virginia.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Powhatan County, Virginia.

  • 1734 - Powhatan County is formed from land previously part of Chesterfield County.
  • 1777 - The county courthouse is built in the community of Scottville.
  • 1850 - The Richmond and Danville Railroad is completed, providing transportation and facilitating economic growth in the county.
  • 1865 - During the American Civil War, Powhatan County is affected by military operations, including the nearby Battle of Sayler's Creek.
  • 1870 - The county courthouse is relocated to the village of Powhatan, which becomes the county seat.
  • 1934 - The original county courthouse in Powhatan is destroyed by fire and later rebuilt.
  • 1960s - The construction of State Route 288 improves transportation infrastructure in the county.
  • 2000 - Powhatan County's population reaches over 22,000, experiencing significant growth in recent decades.