Description

Wade’s Mill Raphine Virginia by P. Buckley Moss

Content & Subject

Wade’s Mill Raphine Virginia by P. Buckley Moss is a signed and numbered limited edition lithograph that pays homage to one of Virginia’s treasured historic landmarks. Part of the Moss Summer Collection, Moss Mill Collection, and the Historic Landmark Collection, this artwork captures the rustic charm and enduring presence of the water-powered gristmill that has stood since the 18th century.

The composition features the iconic Wade’s Mill, its stone foundation and weathered wood siding rendered with Moss’s signature simplicity and warmth. A waterwheel turns gently at the mill’s side, symbolizing both tradition and industry. In the foreground, vibrant orange flowers sway in tall grasses, adding life, color, and movement to the peaceful summer scene. Behind the mill, trees softened by the season’s haze create a timeless, pastoral backdrop.

Style & Technique

Moss’s folk-art style blends architectural detail with an emotional connection to place. The angular lines of the mill contrast beautifully with the flowing forms of grasses and flowers, creating balance between structure and nature. The circular vignette framing makes the scene feel intimate, like a cherished memory preserved in time.

As a lithograph, the print captures Moss’s delicate brushwork and layered washes of color. Warm earth tones, soft greens, and muted golds enhance the nostalgic atmosphere while highlighting the mill as both a landmark and a symbol of continuity.

Mood & Inspiration

The mood of Wade’s Mill Raphine Virginia is tranquil, nostalgic, and reverent. Moss often drew inspiration from the Shenandoah Valley and its historic structures, seeing them as symbols of perseverance, heritage, and community. Wade’s Mill—founded in 1750 and still in operation today—embodies that history.

Through this artwork, Moss celebrates the mill not just as a building, but as a testament to tradition, craftsmanship, and the natural beauty of rural Virginia.

Placement & Gift Ideas

This artwork is ideal for those who love history, Virginia landmarks, or rustic Americana. It would be a striking addition to a living room, dining room, or study, where its warm tones and historic subject create an inviting focal point. It also works beautifully in a kitchen or hallway, connecting daily life with heritage and tradition.

As a gift, Wade’s Mill Raphine Virginia is perfect for Virginia natives, history lovers, and Moss collectors. It is also an excellent choice for housewarmings, anniversaries, or summer celebrations, making it both meaningful and timeless.

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity. (see FAQs)

COLLECTOR NOTE

Wade’s Mill Raphine Virginia, located in northern Rockbridge County, is a working flour mill, circa1 750, built by Captain Joseph Kennedy. The Kennedy family owned the mill for about 100 years. In 1882, James F. Wade bought the mill and his family operated the mill for the next four generations. The interior and workings of the mill are much like they were when Mr. Wade bought the mill. The mill is powered by a 21-foot water wheel that is fed by a nearby stream (known originally as Captain Joseph Kennedy’s Mill Creek). Wade’s Mill is one of the few remaining mills that still produces a wide variety of flours exclusively on mill stones. The mill is on the National Register of Historic Places.

2004

Image Size: 7 x 9-1/4 inches. Paper Size: 10-1/2 x 10-3/4 inches.