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Historic Sites

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Historic Downtown State Street – An Official Main Street Community

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History and tradition abound in Bristol, VA/TN, a truly unique twin-city. In 1881, both sides of Bristol designated the center of the city’s main thoroughfare, State Street, as the Tennessee/Virginia state line. Today, Bristol’s Historic Downtown District, also known as State Street, features specialty gift shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and antique shops, and a variety of theatre, street festivals, and live Read more...
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Mecklenburg County Courthouse

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The Roman Revival Mecklenburg Courthouse was built between 1838 and 1842 by area master building, William A. Howard. Read more...
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Historic Sidna Allen Home

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This capricious, if provencial, expression of the Queen Anne style was briefly the home of the notorious Sidna Allen. Allen was member of the so-called Allen Gang involved in the Carroll County Courthouse shooting in 1912. The house, finished the year before the shooting, was designed by Allen and his wife. It was built by Preston Dickens, a local carpenter, Read more...
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Pulaski County Courthouse

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The courthouse is consructed of “Peak Creek Sandstone”. The clock and the belfry were added in 1911. The court house was originally constructed in 1896 and has been reconstructed since being destroyed by fire in December of 1989. The structure combines elements of the Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne styles of architecture. Serving as the formal entrance to the building Read more...
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Roanoke Public Libraries, Virginia Room

The Virginia Room holds the library’s special collection of historical and genealogical research resources. We comprehensively collect materials for the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia.The Virginia Room has the most extensive holdings for family history research in western Virginia, including thousands of family history books and files, county records and a growing collection of materials for African American Read more...
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Veteran’s War Memorial

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During your visit please be sure to check out the Veteran’s War Memorial. A visually striking memorial that provides a stirring tribute to those who have given so much so that we Americans can live free. Read more...
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JTI Fountain

Main Street Plaza’s most notable amenity is the multi-stage fountain that is 40 feet in diameter. In the upper stage, seven water jets shoot water vertically. The seven jets represent the Tobacco Warehouse District’s seven blocks of the Tobacco Warehouse District. JTI Fountain lights up at night and has the option of changing the color of the lights. Read more...
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Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery

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Come explore the Glencoe Mansion, home of General Gabriel C. Wharton and his wife Nannie Radford Wharton. The 1875 Wharton home was constructed of thousands of handmade bricks and was a fitting statement of the stature of the Wharton family in Southwest Virginia. General Wharton served in the Civil War and advocated for the growth and development of Southwest Virginia.   Read more...
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Callands Clerks Office

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Site of first county seat of Pittsylvania County. The building that served as the debtor’s prison, 1767-1771, and later as the clerk’s office, 1771-1777, remains. Nearby stands the debtor’s gaol, built in 1778. It later served as Samuel Calland’s store and in 1808 became the post office for Callands. Read more...
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High Street Baptist Church Historic Marker

In 1865 emancipated African Americans withdrew from First Baptist Church, where they had worshiped from the balcony, and founded a congregation later known as High Street Baptist Church. Members erected their first sanctuary here in 1873. Fire destroyed that structure and its replacement, constructed in 1878. The present Romanesque Revival church was built in 1901. High Street Baptist served as Read more...
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Boydton, Virginia, an eighteenth century towne

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Historic Boydton is an 18th century towne located in Southern Virginia. A completed street enhancement project renders a charming Victorian ambiance to the entire historic district. As the county seat, it boasts a unique hexastyle Greek Revival courthouse. Built and designed by Jefferson’s own builder, it is a replica of the State Capitol in Richmond. From its central location on Read more...
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Smithfield Plantation Reference Library

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The reference library collection is housed inside Historic Smithfield Plantation house. It includes Preston Family information, Colonial and early Virginia information, and local historical data. Hours: 10:00 AM-5:00 Mon, Tues, Thru, Fri, Sat. Read more...
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Jeff Matthews Memorial Museum

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A visit to the Jeff Matthews Memorial Museum is a rewarding experience for adults, families and children of all ages. Among the treasures are the historic cabins dating back to 1834, Victorian fashions, over 10,000 Native American artifacts, a fascinating collection of African items, one of the largest Kodiak bears on display anywhere in the world, an extensive collection of Read more...
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Historic Henry County Courthouse

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The Historic Henry County Courthouse, recognized as a community landmark, is home to the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society as well as the Heritage Center & Museum, which showcases a variety of exhibits of local and regional history. It is centrally located in the Martinsville Historic District and is open to the public for tours and meetings. The courthouse was constructed in Read more...
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Kentland Plantation

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Kentland Plantation is currently owned by the college of Agriculture and Life Sciences from Virginia Tech. It was originally a large plantation owned by James Randal Kent. The manor house was built in 1834-35 by John Swope. During the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad raid in 1864 by Union General Crook, the evacuating Federal army encamped on the plantation. Read more...
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Old Glade Presbyterian Church

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Old Glade Presbyterian Church: Formed in 1772, the church has stood on the present site since 1792. Brick sanctuary constructed in 1845, with several additions added throughout the years. Confederate Brigadier General William E. “Grumble” Jones is buried in the cemetery at Old Glade Presbyterian Church. Approximately 40 other confederate veterans are interred in this cemetery, including one of the Read more...
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Emmanuel Episcopal Church

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This lovely church consecrated in 1844 offers beautiful stained glass windows by Tiffany. Read more...
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The Buchanan Theatre

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Placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, the Buchanan Theatre has been recognized as Botetourt County’s oldest standing theatre. Over the years the building has been remodeled several times. Notable exterior features include the Art Deco concrete details on the facade, the neon sign and freestanding ticket booth. Inside, one finds Read more...
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Special Collections at Virginia Tech

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Special Collection houses a vast array of letters, journal, pictures, and diaries. Includes a Manuscript Collection for the American Civil War, Online exhibits, ImageBase Collection, and Digital Library and Archives. Also has direct link to the Civil War Institute which is likewise on the campus of Virginia Tech. Hours: M-F 8:00AM-5:00PM and by appointment Read more...
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Dinwiddie Presbyterian Rock Church

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Nestled in the Blue Ridge Plateau of Southwest Virginia in northeast Carroll County, Dinwiddie Presbyterian Church is one of six rock churches built by Rev. Bob Childress of native stone. Subject of the book, The Man Who Moved a Mountain by Richard C. Davids (1970). This is the largest of the six rock churches. Construction for the church building began Read more...
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Mabry Mill

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Beautiful location that has been photographed and painted many times. Restored gristmill/sawmill/woodworking shop and blacksmith shop. Old time skills (basket weaving, seat caneing, spinning, and weaving) demonstrated. Read more...
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Draper Mercantile and Trading Company

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The Draper Mercantile has been a favorite local hangout for over 125 years. We’re continuing that tradition and welcome you to the new gathering place for great food, friendly folks and an inspiring atmosphere.  The Draper Mercantile is also home to the Draper Valley Marketplace, an eclectic little market dedicated to bringing you vibrant, healthful food diversity from our own community Read more...
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The Historic Masonic Theatre

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Circa 1905, originally an opera house and Masonic Lodge in the downtown historic district of Clifton Forge, VA, the Historic Masonic Theatre is Virginia’s oldest continuously operating Theatre. On July 1, 2016, the Historic Masonic Theatre opened its doors to the public once again after a 6.5 million dollar renovation.  A  movie theatre and a performing arts venue, the four Read more...
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The Richard White House

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Just across Main Street from the Oaks is the charming little house built by Dr. Richard White, fellow physician and racing crony of Dr. Robert Coles from whom he bought the land. An early resident says the first section was built in 1810, but the official date for the second section is 1837. Close inspection reveals differences in the left Read more...
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Olde Towne Pearisburg

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Pearisburg has existed as a village since 1808. The historical district includes buildings from almost every period in the town’s development. The two most significant predate 1840. Pearisburg was listed in 1992 as a National Registry Community. Read more...
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Green Hill Cemetery

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Green Hill Cemetery on Lee Street in Danville is an example of the American Rural Cemetery Movement. It was established in 1863.This park-like setting has hundreds of family burial sites that include mausoleums, obelisks, family trees, and Victorian symbols for eternal life, purity and victory.Green Hill is also the location of the Confederate Monument. It is the final resting place Read more...
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June Tolliver House & Folkart Center

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Located adjacent to amphitheatre that stages the musical adaptation of John Fox Jr.’s novel, “Trail of the Lonesome Pine”, at the turn of the century, the house was owned by the Duff family who also owned a hotel across the street. Legend has it that Fox’s novel was based on actual people living in the town. Free tours of June Read more...
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Wreck of the Old 97

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On September 27, 1903, the southbound Southern Railway express mail freight train, ‘Old 97’, ran off the tracks at Stillhouse Trestle and crashed into the ravine below. Eleven people died and six were injured. This event inspired the ballad “The Wreck of the Old 97” which was first recorded by G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter. The historic marker is located Read more...
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South Boston Historic Downtown

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Come stroll down a historic Main Street enjoying the Victorian architecture and the charm of a small town atmosphere. The Downtown South Boston Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark and is one of the largest and architecturally interesting historic districts in Southside Virginia. The district is significant for Read more...
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Hugh Wier House

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Return to the bottom of the hill and turn right, making a left turn one block away at Lanier Avenue. Up the hill on the left stands one of Chatham’s most beautiful homes – a fine old brick built by Hugh Wier, a merchant. Originally the grounds extended from Main Street down the hill to Tanyard Branch. It was restored Read more...
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Washington County Courthouse

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Washington County Courthouse: the previous courthouse, also located on this site, was burned on December 14, 1864, during Stoneman’s Raid, by Union Captain James B. Wyatt, with the 13th Tennessee Cavalry. Wyatt was raised in Abingdon and as a youngster had several run-ins with the local law enforcement. Evidently, Wyatt held a grudge against a local judge, so after Stoneman’s Read more...
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Chatham Town Hall

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Built by Judge James L. Tredway, this splendid brick home, now Town Hall, adapted ideally for municipal and police offices. Its purchase in 1978 was partly funded by public subscription as it was in danger of becoming a parking lot. It continues to enjoy public support as funds from the town’s annual “Christmas in Colonial Chatham” are used to refurbish Read more...
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Merrimac Coal Heritage Park

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This park is a walking trail through a part of the old Merrimac Coal Mines. This mine was one of the oldest anthracite mine in Montgomery County. It was a government colliery for the Confederacy and takes it name for the famed ironclad the Merrimac, which was retooled and renamed the C.S.Virginia. Coal from this mine was used to power Read more...
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Max B. Crowder Park at Whittle’s Mill

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The beautiful old mill site on the Meherrin River has been Southside Virginia’s unofficial park for generations – and long South Hill’s best-kept secret. Recent restoration of the site and the publication of the Whittle’s Mill book have greatly heightened interest in the Meherrin River, the legacy of the Whittle family and the secrets of the old mill. The ruins Read more...
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Union Level Ghost Town

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Once a bustling stop on the horse and carriage line in the early 1800’s, then rail line in the later 1800’s and early 1900’s, this unique remnant of times past was deserted once the rail line left.   An entire line of store fronts and a church still line the country road here, surrounded by beautiful agricultural farms.  This site Read more...
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Belle Hampton Farm

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While searching for his lost brother who fought in the French-Indian War, James Mayo Hoge instead found his true love, Elizabeth Howe, and together they built a home on land they called Hayfield (now Belle-Hampton) in 1767. James Mayo Hoge fought courageously in the Revolutionary War along with his father-in-law, Joseph Howe and brother-in-law, Daniel Howe who lived next door Read more...

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