A Visit to Virginia by Jeri Stockdale
"Guest Blog Post"
Hello, my name is Jeri Stockdale and I am very excited to share some of my travel memories with you. When my long time friend asked my husband and I to come visit her in Virginia, we couldn’t wait to see the many historic sites in the area. In the post below, I talk about several places of interest and share our pictures. It is my hope that you will find some valuable information to make your own trip to Virginia worthwhile.
Virginia is for Lovers! This slogan is on bumper stickers, signs, and easily found in any gift shop, and has been a hit for their tourism industry.
Brilliant fall colors draw visitors to Virginia and other southern and eastern states during autumn. When we visited in October, however, this tree at our friend’s home was the most vibrant example we saw. Most of the trees in the hills still wore their green foliage thanks to the high temperatures they’d experienced. Even without the changing colors, fall is a comfortable time of year to visit, especially October, with temperatures from the 60’s to 70’s and less humidity than in the summer.
Staunton Historic District
One of the many historic homes in Staunton, Virginia.
Staunton Historic District, Staunton, Virginia has daily walking tours. We visited a few quaint shops with eclectic offerings.
Near one another are a triangle of historic towns; Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.
Step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg.
Ride a carriage through town, visit homes that reflect colonial tastes, and small shops like Greenhow’s store. Buy chocolate made without milk or learn about quill and ink and buy a small writing set for children. Interact with the postmaster or be fitted for the latest colonial fashions at Mary Dickinson’s Hat and Dress Shop.
At Chowning Tavern, enjoy a sampler platter of beef and veggie pasties, fresh fruit, and round soft flatbread crackers with a crock of cheese while listening to lively violin, flute, and drum music.
Helpful colorful characters dressed colonial style are on hand to share history and answer your questions. Warning! They will speak and act only as if they are living in those times!
Bruton Parish Church
Visit Bruton Parish church, established in 1674, and still used for Sunday services. Attended by all citizens of Williamsburg at the time, its members included Martha Washington and her son, prior to marrying George Washington. Thomas Jefferson lived in Williamsburg and attended the church while studying under George Wythe, one of the most brilliant legal minds of his day.
Jamestown Settlement
Not far from Colonial Williamsburg is the Jamestown Settlement which has three replica ships you can board to get a feel for what it would have been like to travel to America in the 1600s. There is also a replica fort and Indian Village with hands-on fun for the children.
Nearby is Historic Jamestowne, the original site of the colony, and probably more interesting for adults and older children with its ongoing archeological digs and discovery of the 1607 James Fort’s foundation. Over 1000 artifacts are on display in the museum and glassblowing demonstrations are a highlight at the Glasshouse. Glassblowing was one of the earliest industries attempted by settlers in America.
Make sure you have it straight which Jamestown you most want to see if you have time constraints. We only had time for one and we mixed them up. Yes, we could have gone to the other the same day, but I was set on seeing at least one operating plantation from the 1600’s, and that was located nearby as well.
James Fort replica
Powhatan Indian village
Shirley Plantation
Founded in 1613, The Shirley Plantation, is the oldest surviving plantation in America and an example of intact colonial architecture. It is also the oldest family-owned business in North America and has been home to eleven generations of the same family, the Hill-Carters. They grow corn, wheat, and have recently planted pecan trees to ensure harvests for the next generations. Their newest venture is aquaculture, growing shrimp!
Berkeley Plantation
The Berkeley Plantation, was home to Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and home of two Presidents. Several presidents visited, including Thomas Jefferson, who strongly suggested architectural changes that took out doors and opened a room up to more light, and added decorative moldings suggestive of his own home.
Benedict Arnold tried to arrest Benjamin Harrison at his home for his part in the American Revolution, but Harrison escaped. Rather than destroying the home, Arnold ordered his men to carry the furniture onto the lawn and burn it, but kept one bed untouched. Promised a reward for his service to the Crown once the British won the war, it’s believed he wanted the Berkeley Plantation for himself.
It remained in Harrison descendants’ hands until William Harrison VII overplanted tobacco, and completely depleted the soil of its nutrients. Bank loans went unpaid and the family was evicted in 1842. McClellan’s northern forces occupied it during the Civil War, and it fell into disrepair after being used by a farmer as a barn for his livestock. Eventually it was bought by a businessman and inherited by his son, whose young wife lovingly took on the restoration of the history rich home.
Beautiful views of the fields, the grounds, and the James River in the distance.
Benjamin Harrison V's gravestone, at the Berkeley Plantation.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello Home
Monticello, home of our third president, Thomas Jefferson, reflects his love of architecture and inventions.
Monticello’s gardens and stunning views. Is it surprising that four of our first five presidents made their homes in Virginia? You can visit several Presidents’ homes in the state.
Dayton Market
The Dayton Market in Dayton, Virginia is a collection of small Mennonite owned shops.
Frontier Cultural Museum In Waynesboro
Frontier Cultural Museum, Waynesboro, Virginia.
Authentic Irish, German, and English homes were brought from Europe, reassembled, and furnished as in that time.
The Hamner House
A drive from Monticello and across the back roads and close to the Blue Ridge Parkway brought us to the small community that provided the inspiration for Walton’s Mountain and the popular television show, The Waltons, which ran for nine seasons and ended in 1981.
Known as The Hamner House, named after Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons. This was his childhood home and it’s his memories that created the stories we know of John Boy, Mary Ellen, Ma and Pa, and all the family.
Like any small community there are the friendly folks and the not so friendly and we experienced both, which made it a much richer an experience. Located next door to a little store brimming with Walton memorabilia and a friendly proprietor, the house was lovingly restored and is now available for tours by owners who are enthusiastic fans of the show to this day. Well worth the drive to experience a taste of Americana, especially if you’re a Walton’s fan.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway had this interesting trivia.
Greenville, Virginia
The rolling hills, the unique variety of colors offered by the stalwart trees, and the ever-changing sky created a sense of peace and well-being during our journey. I never tired of the beautiful vistas afforded by God’s creation. I could well understand why President Washington wished to return home to his beloved farm, and Virginia’s countryside after his presidency.
If my family’s roots were as deep in Virginia as those of some of the families we visited, I would find a plethora of reasons to stay and grow family roots deeper. One can explore the wilds through hiking, or delve into our country’s history going back over four hundred years to discover the intricacies of our heritage and what shaped who we are today. Add in the friendliness and hospitality of those we met, and it’s a perfect combination of why a visit to Virginia should be on your list of places to explore.
Featured Guest Blogger
Jeri Stockdale writes inspirational women’s fiction, romance, and historical fiction. She is a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association, ACFW, and RWA. Her first novella, Christmas Gone Awry, was published in the book, Christmas of Hope: An Anthology of 7 Christian Inspirational Holiday Stories in October 2016.
Website: www.jeristockdale.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com\jeri.stockdale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/j5stockda/
Christmas of Hope: An Anthology of 7 Christian Inspirational Holiday Stories
A Collection of Christian Inspirational novellas by 7 different authors, with a little romance and an abundance of sweet, heartwarming moments that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit this Christmas.
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