Posey Family Home (Site)

These coordinates mark the exact spot where the family home once stood. No visible remains exist.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2007 edition of the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum and written by Jacqueline "Jac" Walker:

The January picture in the Franconia Museum’s 2007 calendar features the Posey family home at 6000 Franconia Road. This photograph dates back to the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. The home place with old cars parked in front brought back many memories for Sonia Posey Jones and her family. She purchased eleven of the calendars for her family and friends. Sonia has five children and nine grandchildren.

Her parents, Walter and Mildred Posey, bought the house at an auction in Fairfax, Virginia in 1941 (66 years ago.) It is well built with hardwood floors and plastered walls. It has a winding staircase which leads to what they call “the junk room.” Buck Posey, Sonia’s uncle, sold the car with the rumble seat (pictured) to her dad just before he left for duty in World War II. Johnnie, her teenage brother, got to enjoy the car, driving it everywhere. She remembers the bumpy rides in the rumble seat. Her dad was also a World War II veteran. He sent home footlockers of mementoes from Germany.

Sonia’s mother was the second oldest of nine children. She passed away October 10, 2005, shortly before her 95th birthday. Sonia had moved back in with her about 19 years ago. Her death was a shock to Sonia because her mother always thought she would live to be 100. She enjoyed a full and healthy life. Shortly before her death, she sat at her window facing the Bill Higham house across the street, watching him move back into his home place, and witnessing another friend’s cycle of life.

Sonia’s Aunt Sylvia was married to Ward Plaugher of Franconia, the owner of Ward’s Corner, an early landmark in Franconia. Sonia remembers, among Ward’s many ventures, that Donkey baseball games were played behind his shopping center. Sonia was widowed at age 34 with five children. She said God has provided over the years. When she was 16 years old, she suddenly became blind. She was given typhoid fever intravenously and antibiotics to fight an infection, whatever it was. Her sight was eventually restored. Sonia fondly remembers her Grandmother Annie “Sister” Neish, a founding member of the Sydenstricker Methodist Church, who served as its Superintendent and teacher for many years.

The home place and about two acres, has been sold to St. John’s Lutheran Church located next door. Sonia said the original plot had three acres but one acre was lost to the successive widening of Franconia Road. Sonia is having a home built in Isle of Wight, near Suffolk, Virginia. She is hoping to be able to take the flag stone walk from her home place to her new home. She fondly remembers riding her tricycle on this walk. Old pictures can trigger many memories.