Originally constructed between 1849 and 1854 as a two-story brick “I-house,”  and enlarged with a two-and-a-half story frame side addition between 1897 and 1898, Woodbourne is located on a rural parcel in the Kinsale vicinity of Westmoreland County. During the mid-20th century, two one-story additions were constructed, giving the house its current layout. Woodbourne is associated with Col. Richard Turberville Arnest, MD, who purchased the property in 1946 and lived there from 1949 until his death in 1969. During his period of ownership, Arnest and others established the Northern Neck Health District (NNHD), with Arnest serving as its first director from 1947 to 1960. The NNHD was among the first regional health districts established under Virginia’s rural health program. Previously, Arnest served in the US Army and was a decorated veteran of both World Wars. A chief surgeon during World War II, Arnest became famous after documenting a 1943 incident during which Gen. George S. Patton struck a soldier at a hospital. Arnest’s report was the first of two documented “slapping incidents” that led to public scrutiny of Patton’s military career.