Virginia - Landmarks and Points of Interest
- By Smithsonian.com
- Smithsonian.com, November 08, 2007, Subscribe
The Luray Caverns in the Shenandoah Valley offer visitors breathtaking views. Courtesy of the Virginia Tourism Corporation
Ash Lawn-Highland
Visit the home of fifth U.S. President James Monroe, adjacent to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville. The home contains original and period furniture and a 535-acre working farm and reconstructed slave quarters.
Belle Grove Plantation
Belle Grove, in Middletown, was once the home of Major Isaac Hite, Jr., and his wife Nelly Conway, Madison, sister of President James Madison.
Birthplace of Sam Houston
Sam Houston was born in this Lexington cabin on March 2, 1793. As commander-in-chief of the Texas army, he won the battle of San Jacinto, which secured Texan independence. He served as President of Texas, a U.S. Senator, and governor, 1860-1861 before his 1863 death.
Birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford
Visit the birthplace of the county-music legend in Bristol. See old family photos and upright piano.
Black Soldiers Memorial
The only Civil War monument in the South to honor African-American Union soldiers, this Norfolk site is also a cemetery for African-American veterans of the Civil War and Spanish American War.
Chancellorsville Battlefield
See the site of the largest engagement fought on Virginia soil. The battle has been called General Lee's greatest victory for the challenge it posed.
George Washington's Birthplace National Monument
George Washington was born on his father's Pope Creek tobacco farm on February 22, 1732, about three years before they moved to Mount Vernon. Today the National Park Service operates a colonial farm where costumed interpreters recreate the sights, sounds and smells of 18th-century plantation life.
Gillfield Baptist Church
This is the second-oldest black church in America dating from 1786 when it was founded in Prince George County. In 1800, it was moved to its current location in Petersburg. The present building was constructed of bricks made at the Virginia Normal Institute for blacks, now Virginia State University.
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Comments (2)
I'm working on a state report about Virginia and was trying to see if i can find some research but it helped me alot so thx u
Posted by dreAmer on November 4,2010 | 10:50 PM
I am hoping you can help me. I am doing a research paper, and I know I saw a Frank Lloyd Wright house on display outside the Smithsonian back in the 1960's. I think it was in April of 1966, but I am not sure.
I cannot find out anything about it. I would like to know what the name of the house was (was it the Pope-Leighey house that was once in Falls Church and then moved to Woodlaw area)or another of his homes? Also, was it the actual house or a replica?
Any information you could give me would be wonderful!
Sincerely,
Diane Westen
westenbd@comcast.net
Posted by Diane Westen on April 24,2010 | 12:25 PM