Inherent in river is a dual nature: it is a dynamic, flooding entity which never moves but causes movement. This cord which ties the lands and towns along its edges also ties the individual town to the water. The river's character becomes apparent through the life of the town and the provision through trade and industry. River, in this case, has a more static quality as it becomes a constant, a known factor in the life of a man. The dynamic of river shows forth when its character changes faces to overtake the town which grew from its edge. In this thesis, an 1800 foot site along the Rappahannock becomes the stage which responds to the actions of a river. / Master of Architecture