James L. Kemper Residence
This Greek Revival-style house was built about 1852 for state senator Thomas N. Welch. In 1868 James Lawson Kemper (1823–1895) purchased it from his mother in law, Mrs. Belfield Cave. Kemper, an attorney, represented Madison County in the House of Delegates (1853–1863), served as speaker (1861– 1863), led a brigade in the Civil War, was wounded in Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, and served as governor of Virginia (1874–1878). In 1882 he moved from Madison to Walnut Hills in Orange County.
Marker is on North Main Street (Business U.S. 29) south of Blue Ridge Turnpike (Virginia Route 231), on the left when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
