Celebrate Freedom in Virginia

America's freedom was fought for and won in Virginia. Explore from the beginning.

Hampton Roads

Yorktown Victory Center

Visit the place where American and French forces fought the final battle for America's independence.

The Yorktown Victory Center is a museum of the American Revolution chronicling America's struggle for freedom.

From the beginnings of colonial unrest to the formation of a new nation, the Victory Center tells the epic events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Visit the Yorktown Battlefield at the eastern end of the Colonial Parkway, and see Siege at Yorktown, a 16-minute film that describes the battle.

Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne

The beginning of Colonial America happened just a few miles from Yorktown. At America's first English colony, Jamestown Settlement, visitors explore the hardships of 17th-century life in Colonial America.

And at Jamestowne, the original site, which is overseen by the National Park Service, observe archeologists as they uncover treasures of the first fort.

Colonial Williamsburg

Don't miss Colonial Williamsburg, the largest history reenactment site in the United States. See where "seeds of the revolution" were sown in 1774 at the First Virginia Convention, where the leaders of the state met to elect their delegates to the First Continental Congress.

Other Patriotic Sites in Hampton Roads

Isle of Wight - Visit Boykin's Tavern, the historic 1762 home of Major Francis Boykin, who fought alongside Patrick Henry and George Washington.

Yorktown - Visit Cornwallis' Cave, where British General Lord Cornwallis was said to have hidden from General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.

Smithfield - Historic St. Luke's Church built in 1632, is the oldest surviving church of English foundation in America, and the only original Gothic church in the United States. British and Confederate soldiers camped under its great oaks.

 

Central Virginia

Patrick Henry's Passionate Speech

Travel west to Brookneal, and visit Red Hill, the last home and burial site of Patrick Henry.

His law office on the plantation is home to the largest collection of Henry memorabilia in the world, including the famous P.H. Rothermel oil painting, Patrick Henry before the Virginia House of Burgesses.

Patrick Henry is primarily known for his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech at St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond, where you can take a tour.

Patrick Henry also served as the first elected governor of Virginia and lived near Hanover Tavern, also open for tours.

Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of Independence

In Charlottesville, west of Richmond, see Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the Declaration of Independence and served as the third U.S. president.

Adjacent to Monticello is Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe, the fifth U.S. president.

Also in Charlottesville is the University of Virginia, which was designed by Jefferson. The Rotunda and Central Grounds — Jefferson's Academical Village — can be toured daily.

Nearby in Orange County is Montpelier, home of our nation's fourth president and Father of the Constitution, James Madison.

Other Patriotic Sites in Central Virginia

Altavista - Avoca is located on the homesite of Colonel Charles Lynch, a Revolutionary War hero.

Ashland - Slash Christian Church was built in 1729 and was pastored by Rev. Patrick Henry, uncle of the patriot.

Charles City - Shirley Plantation, built in 1613, is the oldest plantation in Virginia. The current residents are descendants of the original owners and offer guided tours.

Chester - Henricus Historical Park was the site of the second successful English settlement after Jamestown in 1611. It is where Pocahontas herself grew up!

Richmond - Wilton House Museum was built in 1753 for the family of William Randolph III, who associated with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

 

Northern Virginia

Colonial Fredericksburg

In Fredericksburg, on the banks of the Rappahannock River, is Ferry Farm, George Washington's boyhood home.

Nearby is the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, which presents a vivid living history of colonial medical practices.

George Washington - "Father of His Country"

Be sure to visit George and Martha Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, America's most popular historic home, which is open for tours year 'round.

Walk the beautiful gardens and see the renovated Gristmill and Washington's Distillery.

Other Patriotic Sites in Northern Virginia

Alexandria - Gadsby's Tavern Museum was the center of political, business and social life in early Alexandria. Prominent patrons included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Madison.

Alexandria - George Washington gave 2,000 acres of his Mount Vernon estate as a wedding gift to "Nelly" Custis, his wife, Martha's granddaughter, and Major Lawrence Lewis, which they named Woodlawn.

Alexandria - Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism was originally part of George Washington's River Farm. It features replicas of the Constitution and Magna Carta.

Fredericksburg - Historic Kenmore Plantation and Gardens was built by Fielding Lewis for his wife, Betty, sister of George Washington.

Mason Neck - George Mason's Gunston Hall Plantation was the home of the author of America's first Bill of Rights.

McLean - Claude Moore Colonial Farm welcomes you to experience hands-on history with the farm family.

 

Chesapeake Bay

George Washington's Birthplace

George Washington's Birthplace National Monument in Colonial Beach is maintained by the National Park Service. See a colonial farm and learn from costumed interpreters re-creating 18th-century life similar to that of Washington and his family.

Historic Christ Church

In Irvington, see Historic Christ Church, which was completed in 1735 and is the only church from colonial Virginia to retain its original, high-backed pews. This magnificient brick, stone and wood structure is one of the most impressive examples of Georgian architecture in America.

Other Patriotic Sites in the Chesapeake Bay Region

Gloucester - The Gloucester County Museum of History is housed in the historic Botetourt Building, a pre-Revolutionary tavern built in 1770. Lord Botetourt was the first governor of Virginia.

Heathsville - A Colonial Journey through Virginia's Northern Neck is a self-guided tour tracing the Washington, Lee, Carter and Ball families of colonial history.

Warsaw - Francis Lightfoot Lee's Menokin is located in the Northern Neck. Lee was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

 

Shenandoah Valley

George Washington, the Soldier

George Washington's Office Museum in Winchester is where he supervised the construction of Fort Loudoun between September 1755 and December 1756.

Also, visit the Site of Historic Fort Loudoun, which served as Washington's headquarters during the French and Indian War.

Other Patriotic Sites in the Shenandoah Valley

Strasburg - Museum of American Presidents highlights the Virginians who would become president — eight in all.

Middletown - Belle Grove Plantation was the home of Major Isaac Hite Jr. and his wife, Nelly, who was the sister of President James Madison. The house was inspired by Thomas Jefferson himself and completed in 1797.