Historic Sites

Town of Chatham Walking Tour

Chatham was established as a town in 1777 during the turbulent years of the American Revolution. Chatham has been affectionately called the “Prettiest Little Town in Southern Virginia.” It has also been called the hub of American architecture by some, as she boasts a fine representation of pre-Revolution, Federal, Victorian, and post-Victorian architecture. Various Walking Tour brochures are available at Read more...

Downtown Stuart

Downtown Stuart includes a farmers market & amphitheater where many local events are held, the Mayo River Rail Trail, a visitors center, cultural arts center, shopping, and dining. You can also locate a caboose from the David and Western railroad line as well. Read more...

photoresize 1bd83bba 5056 a36a 07a4fea5a5bac24a 768x576

Jeff Matthews Memorial Museum

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...

Groundhog Mountain Overlook

Overlook and picnic area located on the Blue Ridge Parkway a nice relaxing stop with structures demonstrating the history and heritage of early pioneer life. Read more...

images 04F3DC25 F57D 3168 6C1CEC771378B9E9 04f3dad80e81213 3ceef93f 0514 d41f 949e85c54a92ea22 768x520

The Oaks

Look north along Main Street and you will see Gilmer Terrace, the little park maintained by the Chatham Garden Club. Facing town on the north side of the park is the Oaks. Notice how Main Street hooks around the park? It’s really hooking around the Oaks, due to the clout of its builder, Dr. Robert Coles. Main Street was originally Read more...

Memorial 1 26 08 009 1fbe1ff7 5056 a36a 077efdb35d667969

Veterans Memorial

The Veterans Memorial is comprised of a seven-foot high by 156-foot long black granite wall with the names of all local Veterans Killed In Action from the Revolutionary War to the present. The slogan “Freedom Is Not Free” is the centerpiece of the memorial. Among the 1,463 names currently carved on the Wall, 897 are from the Civil War, the Read more...

15096 1bbf2302 5056 a36a 07942cacc6fa7275 768x576

Historic Sidna Allen Home

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...

2015 12 08 125426 1b873fad 5056 a36a 078d44142507a84b 768x517

Franklin County Courthouse

One of the most important buildings in Franklin County is the white-painted Beaux-arts Roman Revival Courthouse dominating “Uptown” Rocky Mount facing the southern end of Main Street (U.S. 220 South Business). The massive two-story Franklin County Courthouse with its wide three-bay portico was constructed in 1909 from plans of the well-known Roanoke architect H.H. Huggins. The current courthouse replaced the Read more...

IMG 20160823 130916283 253b664f 5056 a36a 07ce537a1e367a6f 768x432

Ellenbrook Mansion

Ellenbrook, otherwise known as Number 4, is the historic home of William Alexander Stuart, founder of the Stuart Land & Cattle Company. Construction of the home was completed in 1858. Ellenbrook offers a mini museum, which displays artifacts, memorabilia, photos, and articles associated with the Stuart family. Special event hosting is also provided. Hours: Monday & Tuesday 10:00 AM – Read more...

Birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford

Birthplace of country music legend Tennessee Ernie Ford is now the Bristol Historical Association and is open for tours by appointment. A room contains furnishings from the early 1900s, Ford family photos and an upright piano. Read more...

Photo244701 b6c7e9e7 5056 a36a 07f0c2682ea2164a 768x577

Danville Tobacco Warehouse and Residential District Historic Marker

This district, composed of both industrial buildings and residences, was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1980 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This historic marker reads… “This area formed the economic core of 19th-century Danville. Founded in 1793 at Wynne’s Falls on the Dan River to facilitate tobacco inspection, Danville became a regional center of Read more...

IMG 2551 1caf2fc9 5056 a36a 07107722d0076bef 768x576

The Washington Tavern

The Washington Tavern, one of Boydton’s oldest buildings (originally located on Washington Street), was built by James Bruce of Halifax and Beverly Sydnor in 1820. Bruce was America’s first chain store owner and the tavern was used in his and Sydnor’s local mercantile establishment. Later, the building was part of the Exchange Hotel complex also located on Washington Street between Read more...

buffalomntnchurch 1b180db3 5056 a36a 073186bf5c402ef6 768x507

Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Plateau of Southwestern (Carroll County) Virginia, the Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church is the “Mother Church” of six rock churches established by Rev. Bob Childress. Subject of the book, The Man Who Moved a Mountain, by Richard C. David (1970), the BMPC is the largest of the six rock churches. The church was organized in 1927, Read more...

10361 1c09b3f7 5056 a36a 07790bc862035e3f 768x510

Historic Smithfield

Nestled along the Pagan River, Smithfield, Virginia is a quaint river-port town rich in Hams, History and Hospitality. Stepping on to Main Street in their Historic District is like stepping into a time long ago and sorely missed. A time when people acknowledged each other by name, when the ice cream parlor or country store was the center of every Read more...

2bee4ca3 f517 4209 9b3b 6cb10a32a969 1af10f9b 5056 a36a 07600f571d5b3d05 768x576

Site of Andrew Lewis’ Home Richfield – The Salem Civic Center

Renowned frontier soldier and Revolutionary War hero General Andrew Lewis lived on his estate Richfield. The house, destroyed by fire in the 1820s, was between the Civic Center and the Roanoke River. His original grave site was a few blocks to the south. Lewis was the commander at the crucial battles of Point Pleasant (1774, against the Shawnee chief Cornstalk) Read more...

Power House and Dam 2 1ca2714b 5056 a36a 0702876ad0d5851a 768x520

Martinsville Dam on Smith River

Visitors coming into/leaving the City of Martinsville on U.S. Route 220 South just outside the city limits can’t help but notice a dam when crossing the Smith River. This landmark is a hydroelectric dam which provides energy needs for the City of Martinsville. The dam was constructed in the 1920s and was in operation by 1924. Prior to this dam, Read more...

E Lige Gibbons Fall Colors 1bbf9808 5056 a36a 077ff3e386ee07ed 768x515

Hensley’s Settlement

Hensley’s Settlement is part of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which lies in three states: Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The preserved settlement is located atop Brush Mountain where the Hensley’s first settled in 1903. In the early part of the century, the Hensley’s settled on the mountain, forsaking settled areas for an entirely self-sufficient way of life. This truly rural Read more...

Historic Sites

Historic Sites

Travel Tips

Things to Do

Places to Stay

Where to Eat

The Crooked Road