Winona-Powell (Bolling Hill)

Perched atop a scenic hill just one mile south of McKenney, Virginia, Winona—also known historically as Bolling Hill—stands as a testament to early 19th-century craftsmanship, family heritage, and the turbulent history of the Civil War era in southern Virginia.

Winona is located on the west side of historic Route 1 (formerly Birches Road), a route famously traveled by William Byrd II in 1733. The estate lies on elevated ground and slopes eastward toward the road, offering wide views and a commanding presence.

Built around 1825, the current house was commissioned by Dr. John Field using hand-hewn timbers and whipped-sawn lumber, assembled with mortise joints, wooden pegs, and wrought iron nails. A previous two-story home, where the Bollings once lived, stood just behind the current house but was removed around 1900.

The house is set at the rear of a large lawn and shaded by linden, elm, mimosa, maple, and locust trees. A straight avenue leads to a circular drive, and a partially restored formal garden sits to the north of the house alongside a newly added fish pond. The property includes large adjoining lots to the north and south and is well watered by several natural sources: the Nottoway River to the south, Great Creek to the west, and a number of springs. Two of the most notable are Long Spring and Gool Spring, which lie at the base of the hill and feature natural rock bottoms. Nearby beech trees bear carvings of names and dates, adding to the area's historic charm.

During the Civil War, Federal troops occupied the house after Dr. Hume Field and his family were forced to vacate. Because the home was not airtight, soldiers cut carpets into strips and nailed them around the outer doors for insulation. Some of those tacks remain visible today, offering a tangible reminder of the home's wartime occupation.