Hello Listmates, On 18JAN2000 the Washington (DC) Post published an articl reporting that Rippon Lodge is being placed on the real estate market. (The article appears on pages B1 and B5.) As the article notes, Rippon Lodge is the oldest Colonial house still standing (after 275 years) along the Potomac. This home, located in Prince William County, Virginia, was designed and occupied by architect Richard Blackburn, who is also known as the designer of another nearby estate -- Mount Vernon. Richard's son, Col. Thomas Blackburn served as aide-de-camp to General Washington and was socially linked to the Washingtons. Until about 01FEB2000 the full text of the article will be accessible at <http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/searches/mainsrch/htm>. After arriving at this site you can find the article by entering keyword(s) "Rippon", and then clicking on "Losing Our History." However, if you wish to see the illustrations which accompanied the print version of the article, you will need to visit a library which has a subscription to the Post. If that's not practical, you may be able to persuade me to send a xerox copy. The illustrations include a map, two views of the house, and a photo of the current owner, Barbara Black Decko (a descendant of Richard Blackburn) and her husband. Are any subscribers of this list descendants of the Rippon Lodge Blackburns? (I am not.) Charles A. (Al) Blackburn Columbia MD USA