The Middleburg Museum sponsored a lively and informative program recently at the Middleburg Community Center to celebrate the 289th birthday of Lt. Col. Leven Powell (1737 –1810).

Photos by Leonard Shapiro

The Middleburg Museum sponsored a lively and informative program recently at the Middleburg Community Center to celebrate the 289th birthday of Lt. Col. Leven Powell (1737 –1810). Powell was the founder of Middleburg as well as a Virginia planter, merchant, Continental Army officer and Federalist politician who served several terms in the Virginia House of Delegates. Some of Powell’s living descendants were in the audience for an event that included a greeting from Mayor Bridge Littleton, the reading of letters written by Powell and his friend, George Washington, followed by a birthday cake, commemorative cookies and a champagne toast.

Vicky Lewis, Eric Johnson, Denis Cotter, Charlotte deButts and Kevin Daly all had speaking parts for the presentation.

Merley Lewis, a board member of the museum, prepares to cut the cake.

Dorsey deButts, president of the Middleburg Museum. 

Vicky Lewis designed the entire Leven Powell exhibit at the Middleburg Museum.

Tim Dudley is a descendant of Leven Powell.

Cookies of a Leven Powell portrait were an elegant part of the treats.

Patty Callahan, spoke: “Leven Powell founded Middleburg as a place where neighbors could gather, businesses could thrive, and travelers would always find a welcoming community.”

Anne Dudley Walker is a descendant of Levin Powell.

The Rev. Gene LeCoueur, Punkin Lee, president of the Middleburg Business and Professional Association and Mayor Bridge Littleton.