Model Maker of Historic Homes
 ONLINE EXHIBIT

Moses and Rebecca Bowen left Wales and settled in Pennsylvania where they lived and were buried. At least six of their children moved to Southwest Virginia where descendants of at least three of them, Rees, Arthur, and William are now living. The three brothers settled on the Clinch River about 1770. William and Arthur were not married when they moved, however, Rees married Louisa Smith, formerly o Rockingham County, Virginia. In Colonel Pendleton's book, The History of Tazewell County, Rees Bowen's name is spelled "Rees" instead of the more common spelling "Reece," which is the more common spelling "Reece," which is the more generally accepted spelling in the Bowen Family. The three sons, William, Rees, and Arthur, were all members of Captain William Russell's company of militia and all of them distinguished themselves in defending the border against Indians, serving as rangers. When Rees was killed in the Battle of King's Mountain, he left his widow with eight children, three boys and five girls.

The original house was built as a cabin around 1770 by Rees, and later it was enlarged as a frame house by his son in 1800. General Rees Tate Bowen added the front section of the home in 1883. The house served as Maiden Spring Fort in 1774, hosted troops during the Civil War, and has provided a home to seven generations of one family.

Paul was from March until July 1940 making the model, and it took him 132 hours to complete.

This house is known as the Dickenson Mansion or the Melbourne home, though it was built by Judge Benjamin Martin of Lee County. It was built around 1840 and was one of the first brick houses erected in that county. Benjamin Dickenson was the first owner of the house, however, the Dickenson family died young. Soon after, Andrew Melburn bought the house and resided there for close to fifty years. During the Civil War, the Union Army used the house as headquarters and a hospital.

Paul's work on the model was from August 9 - November 11, 1938.

The Southwest Virginia Museum would like to thank Mrs. Mildred Walker, Paul Walker, Jr., David Walker, Doug Martin and Tony Williams for their willingness to loan many of the photographs which were at one time on display in the museum, and for their willingness to share Paul's life story with us. We would also like to thank the Southwest Virginia, Lee County, Tazewell County, and Wythe County Historical Societies, as well as the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for all their valuable assistance while researching the homes.