About

The Bowman Farm occupies 700 acres of cleared and forested slopes on the southern flank of Cahas Mountain, an outlying peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Franklin County property is associated with the lifeways of a religious denomination known as the Brethren or German Baptists; according to tradition, local Brethren used the 1830s Bowman farmhouse for worship. Architectural evidence of this fact survives in the form of hinged partitions that were raised to open up the interior for services. The brick house, with late Georgian-style interiors, was built for Daniel Bowman, Sr., who was influential in the Brethren community. The 1830s house and rear circa 1900 addition were sensitively rehabilitated in 1999. Early outbuildings and the family cemetery constitute a Blue Ridge farmstead of historic interest and scenic beauty.