Virtual Steventon

Jane Austen's birthplace, Steventon Rectory, was demolished in the early 1820s, but thanks to the magic of 3D-modeling, it can be digitally reconstructed as it may have appeared during her time.

Virtual Steventon is the work of Frank Lutz, who uses three-dimensional modeling to explore what the rectory might have looked like, based on current historical and archaeological research. The model is an artistic interpretation of the rectory and its setting, drawing on a range of primary sources, including the Glebe Plan of 1821, evidence from the 2011 archaeological excavation of the rectory site, Austen family letters and memoirs, and other historical materials. 

This video recreates Lutz's special session presentation at the 2025 AGM in Baltimore and represents an early stage of the project. Virtual Steventon is a work in progress, and the reconstruction will continue to be refined and updated here. Over time, it will expand beyond the house itself to include the surrounding gardens, walks, woods, hedgerows, and more.

Virtual Steventon: Reconstructing Jane Austen’s Formative Home

Frank F. Lutz holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and enjoyed a successful career in product support management in the tech industry. Now retired, he combines his interest in research with his passion for creating computer-generated 3D models. He was also a speaker at the 2025 AGM.