Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 04/28/1995
NRHP Listing Date 07/21/1995
NRHP Reference Number 95000893
Located in Franklin County near Hales Ford on the Lynchburg-Rocky Mount Turnpike, this plantation was settled in 1784 by John Hook, a Scottish-born merchant who built the vernacular Georgian structure here that served as his store. The core of the present Hook-Powell-Moorman Farmhouse was his residence. Hook sold a wide variety of items among which were quality goods and books, an indication of a relatively sophisticated clientele for this back country. A savvy businessman, Hook at his death in 1808 possessed an estimated 40,000 acres and 110 slaves. The store building was moved across the turnpike and placed adjacent to an outdoor kitchen and slave quarters around 1855 when the next owner, Llewellyn H. Powell, remodeled the Hooks’ dwelling into in a country Greek Revival farmhouse. Dr. John A. Moorman purchased the property in 1879 and soon added an attached kitchen. His office and dispensary were added ca. 1890.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: September 16, 2021
