The Old Brick (Kennon) House

The Old Brick House, also known as the Kennon House, is one of the oldest standing brick homes in the state of Virginia. Archeologists have discovered many artifacts that date back to the Middle and Late Woodland periods, indicating a long standing presence of Native Americans. One of the oldest homes in the state, the Old Brick House has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2003. Today the property is owned and preserved by the Old Brick House Foundation.

In 1677, the property was purchased by Richard Kennon. Kennon was a representative of Henrico County in the House of Burgesses as well as a successful merchant. In 1675 he married Elizabeth Worsham. Their first child died at age four and was buried on the property, there is still a headstone to this day. Elizabeth Kennon deeded the property to her son William in 1711, which in turn he passed down to his son named Richard. In the late eighteenth century the property left the ownership of the Kennon family and was divided amongst eight farms. There is also an aspect of maritime history associated with the Brick House as it was a landmark for sailors and was even featured on many navigational charts. In 1880, Robert Henry Batte purchased the Brick House after a fire had started in the kitchen. It was quite destructive because using water proved to be difficult as the tide was low in the river and the well was too close to the home. After the fire the house underwent reparations and two of the exterior walls were replaced. In 1885 Batte sold the Brick House. 

After having numerous owners, the Brick House was purchased by Willis Comstock in 1909. In 1988 it was used as a real estate office shortly before it was deeded to the Conjurers Neck Homeowners Association in 1990. In 2001 the property was delegated to the Old Brick House Foundation. The house and the property it sits on, making up the Conjurers Neck Archaeological District, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Today, The Old Brick House Foundation preserves this historic property. Tours of the Old Brick House are by appointment, and it is also available to rent for special occasions.

"Colonial Heights: Conjurer's Neck Archaeological District (U.S. National Park Service)." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web.

Old Brick House | Colonial Heights, VA - Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web.

Tourism, Petersburg Area Regional. "Old Brick House." Petersburg Area Regional Tourism. N.p., n.d. Web.

Writer, Leah SmallStaff. "The Old Brick House and Conjurer's Neck to Receive Historic Marker." The Progress. The Progress-Index, n.d. Web.