Avenel (Bedford, Virginia)

Avenel, also known as the William M. Burwell House, is a historic home in Bedford, Virginia, built around 1836. This two-story brick dwelling showcases a mix of Federal and Greek Revival architecture, featuring a hipped roof and a wraparound porch. The property includes several outbuildings and spans 250 acres, historically functioning as a plantation using enslaved labor. Notably, William M. Burwell, a prominent local politician, resided here. The house is also linked to ghost stories, particularly the legend of 'The Lady in White,' believed to be Mary Frances Burwell, who waited for her husband to return from the Civil War. Avenel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 and is open to the public by appointment, making it a fascinating destination for tourists and researchers interested in history and the supernatural.