This historic plantation home has been a Powhatan landmark since before the American Revolution! It is now situated on 25 gently rolling acres and was built by James Clarke after acquiring 192 acres from Col. William Mayo.  This important Virginia architectural landmark is described in Waterman’s book The Mansions of Virginia 1706-1776 and The Virginia Landmarks Register.

In 1799 the owner took out an insurance policy with the Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia, still in business today insuring quality homes.  There were 3 water mills on the property that ground corn into meal.  Ownership passed to the Finches (thus the names Finches Mill and Finches Mill Pond) and down to the Finches descendants, the Valentine family, around the turn of the century.   The grounds include four outbuildings, including the old icehouse and smokehouse.

The main floor has 11 ft ceilings, grand foyer, dining room, living room, library/office, and kitchen open to morning room. There is one bedroom on the first level, a sitting room and two full baths.   The remaining 5 bedrooms and hall bath are upstairs.  There are 6 bedrooms, sitting areas and 3 full baths, front and back stairways, 6 fireplaces and the two story rear porch overlooks the pond.  Enjoy the old millwork detailing and hardwood flooring throughout the house.

The basement houses the old original kitchen which is very rare—they were usually placed in separate outbuildings. You’ll see the fireplace and cooking area.  The original utensils are currently on display in the Valentine Museum.

The current owners have done extensive repairs and upgrades, including paint, carpet, plumbing upgrades, structural repairs, masonry and siding work, glazing of windows, new standing seam metal roofs on both east and west additions, new well pump, the installation of  two 13 SEER Rheem HVAC units and a security system. Grading, drainage and landscape work were also done.   Download the  Property Information package for a detailed list of completed work.

Belnemus is registered on the Virginia Registry of Historic Homes and also appears on the National Record of Historic Places.  It was appraised in 2007 for $1,040,000.  There is 1,000 acres of Preserve land behind the house which can’t be developed.

SQ Footage:   +/- 5,244
Bedrooms:  6+
Baths:   3
Basement area:  +/- 2.400 sq ft