Virginia – Page 2 – Snapping The Globe

At Marye’s Heights

More than 100,000 casualties occurred within a twenty mile radius of Fredericksburg during Civil War battles. As a result, more than 15,000 Union soldiers found their final resting place in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

After four major battles, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House, the remains of deceased Union and Confederate soldiers were buried in shallow, often unmarked graves around the battlefields. It was deemed necessary that a national cemetery at Fredericksburg be established to provide a proper burial site for these soldiers.

The Fredericksburg National Cemetery, part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Country Battlefields Memorial National Military Park is located southwest of the city’s historic downtown in Marye’s Heights, a Confederate stronghold during the Battle of Fredericksburg. It was constructed in 1866 and is one of fourteen national cemeteries managed by the National Park Service.

Parking near the Visitor’s Center at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, we found it to be closed and its exterior and surroundings under construction. Thinking that we would take a walk on the trail that lead from this location, we ducked into the Museum Shop to obtain a map. Finding the trail to be extensive and because it was the end of the day, we decided to take a walk through the cemetery instead.

Following the natural contour of the landscape, we walked uphill, noting some of the monuments dedicated to Union soldiers and officers such as the Fifth Corps Monument, which honors the service of the corps and the Monument to Colonel Joseph Moesch, commemorating the officer who was killed while leading his regiment of 83rd New York Volunteers in the Battle of Wilderness. In the center of the cemetery, we found the Humphrey’s Division Monument, surrounded by upright cannons. This monument honors the men under General Humphrey that led an unsuccessful attack on Confederate troops holding Marye’s Heights. Over 1,000 soldiers were killed or wounded in this engagement.

*Monument to the 127th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry*

Other small markers were scattered throughout the cemetery. Though bearing no names, they offered a longer number followed by another smaller number. While over 15,000 soldiers are interred here, only 2,473 were identified and these are the graves of the unknown. The upper number identifies the plot, while the second number identifies the number of soldiers buried in that plot. The soldiers that were identified are buried in individual graves, marked with a rounded headstone bearing the soldier’s name and state.

The cemetery is also the final resting place for an additional three hundred veterans of the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II.

Though no music can be heard during our visit, the beat of a poem surrounded us. Near the 127th Pennsylvania Volunteer Monument, and throughout the cemetery, we noticed plaques containing verses from Theordore O’Hara’s, “The Bivouac of the Dead” (1847), which commemorated the American dead at the Battle of Buena Vista, from the Mexican-American War.

The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat
The soldier’s last Tattoo;
No more on life’s parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On fame’s eternal camping ground
Their silent tents to spread,
And glory guards, with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead.
No rumor of the foe’s advance
Now swells upon the wind;
Nor troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind;
No vision of the morrow’s strife
The warrior’s dreams alarms;
No braying horn or screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.
Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead,
Dear as the blood ye gave,
No impious footstep here shall tread
The herbage of your grave.

A powerful testament to those who gave their lives during these tumultuous times.

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Fredericksburg National Cemetery
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/national_cemeteries/virginia/Fredericksburg_National_Cemetery.html
Address: 1013 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Growing Up George

Most Americans know that our nation’s first President was George Washington and that his residence, Mount Vernon, is located south of Washington D.C., on the banks of the Potomac River.

Having visited Mount Vernon with my children on various school field trips, I was intrigued with the how beautiful the estate and its grounds were and although I was aware that this was Washington’s home, I never thought about how long he lived there. Although he and his wife Martha made it their home until his death, I guess I always assumed that he also grew up there.

Recently, when visiting Fredericksburg, I found myself on Kings Highway. Noticing a historical sign directing visitors to George Washington’s boyhood home, I initially dismissed it assuming it was Mount Vernon. When I happened to see another sign directing me to the entrance, I realized that I was not near Mount Vernon and this was something entirely different.

This was Ferry Farm.

Located on the banks of the Rappahannock River, Ferry Farm, as it was later named, was George Washington’s home from the age of six years until his twenties. The Washington family purchased the farm in 1738 and it was here where George Washington spent his formative years and the place where most people believe he chopped down the infamous cherry tree.

Purchasing a ticket, I walked in the garden for a few minutes before heading out to the area where the replica of the home stands. During my tour, learned that in 1740, the Washington family home was destroyed by fire, however, during excavations in 2008, archaeologists uncovered remains that led them to realize that this was the location of the family home. In 2015, the George Washington Foundation began constructing a replica on the site of the original building and it was opened to the public in 2018.

Though no one knows what the farm was called during the years that the Washington family occupied the home, it later came to be known as Ferry Farm, because of the free ferry (not owned by the family) that crossed the river on the family’s land.

After an introduction by the tour guide, we were led through the home which was built using eighteenth century building techniques. The tour which took us through the first floor, introduced us to reproductions of the furniture and objects listed in George’s father, Augustine Washington’s, probate inventory when he died in 1743. Unlike many other historical tours, because these are all reproductions, we were encouraged to interact with the objects while being regaled with stories about the family’s life.

Once the tour was complete, I ventured outside and down to the river to where the ferry once departed the banks of the river to make its crossing. From here, the view of the home sitting on the hill, was breathtaking and you could almost imagine a young George and his siblings running down the steep slope or sledding down during the winter!

Making my way back up the stairs, I spotted a tent, situated not far from the house. Archaeologists were excavating another site on the property and I was told that there have been prehistoric artifacts such as spear points, stone axes and numerous other tools tied to the American Indians that once made their home on the land found here. During the Civil War in 1862, the areas near the farm were the site of skirmishes between Confederate and Union armies. The farm was used by Union soldiers as a campground and although much of the farm was destroyed, a surveyor’s shed was constructed and is one on the only remaining structures from this time frame that can be seen today. In addition, archaeologists have found many items from the Civil War occupation that can be seen in the museum at the front of the property such as bullets, ink bottles, button and medallions from uniforms. Other interesting artifacts that can be inspected are 18th century wig hair curlers. The Georgian-style inspired museum and archaeological lab also houses the ticket office/visitor’s center and was not open for visitation.

Since Ferry Farm has only been open since 2018 and a new historical attraction, I do think that it is worth returning at a later date. A new visitor’s center is in the works and every year, visitors come for the celebration of Washington’s birthday. While everyone knows the cherry tree story, which is believed to have happened here, it is also claimed to be the site where George Washington skipped a silver dollar across the Rappahannock River. The river was wider then than it is today, making it a much harder feat, but all who attend are invited to recreate this event.

Wonder if there will be any tree chopping competitions too?

George Washington not only led an interesting adult life, but an interesting younger one as well.

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Ferry Farm

https://kenmore.org/visit-ferry-farm/
Address: 268 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405
Hours: March to October, Monday to Saturday, 1000-1700, Sunday, 1200-1700, November and February, Monday to Saturday, 1000-1600, Sunday, 1200-1600
Admission: Adults, $1200, Students (ages 6 and up), $6.00, Children (ages 5 and under), free

Not-So-Virtual Whiskey

One of the things that Covid has taught us is that cocktails are always welcome, no matter what is going on in the world.

Beer, wine and spirits have helped people pass their time during their lockdowns, especially during virtual happy hours.

Beer, wine and spirits have helped people to forget about their troubles.

Beer, wine and spirits sales are through the roof!

Recently, I was thinking of things to do and while I have taken part in many a virtual happy hour, I was ready to get out of the house and see something different. Perusing the internet one day, I came across a local distillery that offers tours…maybe Google pointed me in that direction since I had been placing an order with a local beer and wine store and they thought I was the perfect candidate…but even though I prefer beer and would rather go to a craft brewery, I thought it would be fun and educational.

The A. Smith Bowman Distillery, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, got its start in Fairfax County in 1927 as a dairy and granary. A. Smith Bowman realized that his fields were producing an abundance of grain and did not want to see it go to waste. In 1934, he built a distillery with the help of his two sons and their first product, “Virginia Gentleman” was well received. His distilling business was born.

Until the 1950’s, Mr. Bowman was the sole producer of legal whiskey in Virginia and he has since shifted gears, moving to Fredericksburg and producing handcrafted small batches and experimental editions.

Now, I will admit, I am not partial to whiskey, but taking part in a free tour concluding with free samples sounded like a great way to get myself out of the house. Enticing two of my friends to make the forty-five minute trip was easy and we signed up for a morning tour, discovering when we arrived that we were the only participants for that particular time slot. Perfect for social distancing!

Our guide led us through the great room, maintaining our six feet, showing us Mr. Bowman’s original desk, and explaining the different varieties produced in the distillery. The production room was quite interesting with the Vendome Copper & Brass Works stills, quiet for the time being which made it easy to learn from our guide how each plays a part in making the spirits. We walked through the assembly line area which was also taking a break, however, I think it would be quite interesting to see it at work. Most captivating, however, was the storage facility filled with thousands of barrels. There, we were shown the numbering system which allows team members to pull the barrels that have been properly aged and are ready for distribution.

Finally, taken back to the great room, we headed to the bar where we were allowed to pick four products to sample, including bourbon, vodka, gin and rum. There were some that were more pleasing to each of our palates, however, it was easy to discern why the A. Smith Bowman Distillery has won the awards of “World’s Best Bourbon” at the World Whiskies Awards in both 2016 and 2017 among many others.

As we finished our tasting, we were able to browse the gift shop area where various goods such as bourbon-inspired drinkware, apparel, coffee, soaps, salsa, barbeque, steak and chocolate sauces…and of course, spirits…are available for purchase.

The distillery sits on impeccable grounds, bordered by Deep Run creek and there are many historical sites in Fredericksburg to visit once your tour has been completed.

The A. Smith Bowman Distillery tour was an extremely interesting way to spend an hour or so and we learned a great deal about something none of us were familiar with. Plus, we got to sample some award winning spirits and walked away with some of our Christmas shopping completed. Much better than virtual happy hour!

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A. Smith Bowman Distillery

https://asmithbowman.com/
Address: 1 Bowman Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 1000-1700, Sunday, 1200-1700
Admission and Tours: free

The President’s Heads

If you have ever visited Williamsburg, Virginia, you know that there are many historical attractions.

Many years ago, while on a school field trip to Jamestown, I spotted something captivating, just off of the exit ramp from the highway…giant heads depicting our past American Presidents. It was President’s Park, an attraction that was open from 2004 until 2010.

Making a mental note to take my children one day, it was filed away with my lists of groceries, household to-do details and information about far away lands that I wanted to see. It wasn’t until we were struck by a pandemic and I could no longer travel throughout the world, and even to some other states, that I began researching nearby attractions to occupy my time while away from work. President’s Park quickly moved to the top of my must-visit list…right behind Gettysburg. As I perused the internet, however, I could not find any current information about the park.

After a bit of digging, I learned that due to lack of interest, this place closed, leaving the giant heads to succumb to neglect and decay. After selling the property, the owner wanted the heads destroyed, however, Howard Hankins, who had helped to construct the park, had the forty-three heads, which measure between 18 and 20 feet high, moved to his family farm in nearby Croaker, Virginia. They now stand neglected in a field, on the site of his industrial recycling facility, and are not presently open to the public. There are plans, however, to restore these mighty busts and recreate a museum with the assistance of the Smithsonian in the future.

What a disapointment!

A few more clicks on the internet, however, led me to find John Plaschal, a local photographer who plans photographic events (with the permission of the owners) at historic locations that are not ordinarily open to the public. As if fate had led me in this direction, I learned that he was planning a ticketed event at the farm where the presidential heads are located.

I quickly purchased my ticket and made plans, rain or shine, to be there.

That afternoon, with darkened skies and light rain falling, I drove the hour’s distance to Croaker and headed down a long dirt road, where I spotted the family farm. Parking my car, I headed to the tent, presented my ticket and received a map detailing the presentation of the statues.

Thanking my lucky stars that I had had the good sense to wear rain boots, I traipsed down the muddy road, following another photographer, and praying that the light rain would continue to diminish.

Rounding a bend in the road, I took a sudden breath inward as I spotted most of the statues, in five, uneven rounded lines, to my left.

Having three hours to capture these decaying and crumbling monoliths, I decided to make my way to the back line and work my way down to the far end first and then tackle the front lines and the three other statues that stood off to the side near the road.

The first president I encountered was John Adams. Slipping and sliding down a muddy hill, I found myself eyeing his sly grin which was undoubtedly suppressing his laughter at the many tourists who fall right before his eyes on the sodden slope (literally!). Standing in the mud, I glanced ahead at the line of huge heads awaiting my inspection and I plodded on.

George Bush, John Q. Adams, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore…

This is where it began to get interesting…and not just my scrutiny of the statues.

Remember how I said that I was glad I wore rainboots?

Camera pointed high, I was not focused on the ground. Suddenly, I felt water seeping onto my socks. Looking down, I realized that not only the ground was wet, it was flooded and I had stepped in water higher than my short boots. I guess I should have worn my tall ones!

Looking forward, I realized that from James Madison onward, the ground was covered with standing water. I realized that I could skip this section, which is why other visitors were not around, or keep going. Oh well, wet feet are wet feet!

Pulling up each leg of my yoga pants as high as I could, I merged onward, with water edging up to my kneecaps. As I committed each statue digitally and swatted the occasional mosquito and prayed that I would not encounter any snakes.

James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, William H. Harrison. As I rounded James K. Polk’s statue, I climbed up a hill at the base of his head and took in the rear view from high above.

Before tackling the middle and forward lines, I ventured off to inspect George Washington, Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. These statues were a bit removed from the others and obviously attracted a great deal more attention. While I admired Andrew Jackson’s smooth façade (the only statue to have been fully restored), I walked around to the rear of Abraham Lincoln. Most of the statues had considerable holes in their heads, as this is how the crane was able to secure the statues and move them, but on old Abe, it was a bit disconcerting, knowing his demise.

Making my way back to the other statues, I encountered Zachary Taylor, John Tyler and Franklin Pierce, then braved the waters that lapped at Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, Calvin Coolidge, Richard Nixon, Dwight Eisenhower and Warren G. Harding. It was amazing to gaze up at these stunning pieces of artwork and discover the thought and detail that was used by the artist, David Adickes, in their creation.

The front three rows were the easiest to survey and the driest. It was here that I saw some of our most recent Presidents, Ronald Reagan, John Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and George W. Bush. It was Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt who commanded the crowd’s attention in the forefront, however, both in direct contrast of each other. Wilson’s decaying face appeared as one of a man who had lived a hard life, while Roosevelt’s stoic pose was relatively almost untouched.

While it had stopped raining halfway through my tour, the dim skies lent to the occasion of these statues’ dark days, alone in a deserted field. Glancing around at the crowd that had come out to see them, it is a wonder how President’s Park never garnered enough attention to remain afloat during the years that it was open. Maybe it was a lack of advertisement or just that fact that there are so many other attractions in the Williamsburg area. Maybe people today are more infatuated with things that are not so easy to come by. Or maybe there are a lot of photographers like me that find the beauty in the not-so-beautiful.

Today, these abandoned statues have attracted a great deal of attention from visitors worldwide, so much so, that John Plaschal’s monthly and bi-monthly events are often sold out and guests come from many parts far and away. One day, Mr. Hankins may have them restored to their former glory and available to all who want to experience their original artistry, however, for now, put on your rainboots and try to get a ticket!

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John Plaschal Photo

https://www.johnplashalphoto.com/2019-events/2019/5/18/the-presidents-heads-daytime-walking-tour-efzrf-n2ypl
President’s Heads Address: 8212 Croaker Road, Williamsburg, VA, 23188
Tickets: eventbrite.com

Good Ole’ Glen Allen

For some, it’s hard to envision what life might have been like 100 years ago.

Thankfully, there are some architectural landmarks around the country that have been lovingly preserved, so that we might be able to do so.

Some very good ones are nearby, in my hometown, Glen Allen.

Built in the 1920s, the Courtney Road gas station stands proudly on Mountain Road in Glen Allen, Virginia, a small town on the west end of Richmond. A “canopy style” station, which originated in 1916 by Standard Oil of Ohio for the transportation industry, it was owned by the Barlow family during a time of growth in the United States car manufacturing and road improvements. Sinclair gasoline and oil products were sold in the full-service station and customers could rely on prompt service by gas station attendants who, in addition to filling the tanks, cleaned windshields, checked the tires and “looked” under the hood.

Though the Courtney Road Station is not open to visitors except during special occasions or by appointment, you can park in the adjacent lot, walk under the canopy and inspect the old pumps.

Across Mountain Road, you can find Meadow Farm Museum, Crump Park and RF&P Park.

RF&P Park (within Crump Park) is home to the Glen Allen Athletic Association and the site of countless baseball, softball and football games on pristine, well-manicured fields. Many a weekend is spent here watching our children run the bases and score touchdowns. The real all-stars of the park, however, are actually “parked” near the fields.

Four restored Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad train cars sit proudly near the fields. At the baseball fields, the cars consists of a caboose, a steel coach and a postal car. A box car can be spotted at the softball fields.

These cars ran from Richmond to Washington D.C. on 113 miles of track (the shortest in the nation) which linked the North and South. You can climb onto the cars, inspect them closely and peer into the windows, however, the interiors are locked. They are the perfect location for photo ops for train lovers and those interested in Virginia’s historic transportation.

Also within Crump Park lies Meadow Farm Museum. Meadow Farm dates back to 1713, when Richard Baker and William Sheppard were granted 400 acres of property in Henrico county. In 1800, Meadow Farm was the site of an unsuccessful slave uprising which became known as Gabriel’s Rebellion and ten years, later, the present farmhouse was constructed by Mosby Sheppard. His son, Dr. John Mosby Sheppard, expanded the farm and passed it down to his grandson Major General Sheppard Crump, a veteran of World War I and Adjutant General of Virginia from 1955 to 1960. His wife, Elizabeth Adam Crump, was one of the first women in Virginia to receive a driver’s license and vote in public elections. In 1975, Elizabeth Adam Crump donated Meadow Farm to Henrico Country in memory of her late husband which was opened to the public in 1981.

Today, Meadow Farm Museum’s grounds are open to the public and consist of the farm house, a blacksmith forge and an orientation center. Costumed tour guides and staff present programs and exhibits on life during the farm’s heyday and on select weekends, demonstrations of the “life on the farm” take place in the farmhouse, barn, doctor’s office, blacksmith forge, kitchen, fields and pastures. Some of these programs include the annual Sheep Shearing event, Sheep to Shawl. It is the perfect place to take children to see many farm animals including chickens, turkeys, hogs, cows, horses and goats.

After visiting Meadow Farm Museum, you can enjoy Crump Park’s walking paths, ponds and playgrounds.

A little further down Mountain Road, there is another historic structure; the remains of Forest Lodge, which was built in the early 1880s by John Cussons. Cussons, an Englishman who served as a scout and lieutenant in the Confederate army and was captured in Gettysburg, returned to Glen Allen after the war and married Susan Sheppard Allen, the sister of Dr. John Sheppard of Meadow Farm and the widow of Benjamin Allen, for whom Glen Allen was named. He built the lodge as a resort along the RF&P Railroad where it intersected with Mountain Road. With 125 rooms and six stories, the luxurious resort was surrounded by a one thousand acre park which included trails, lakes and wild game.

Upon John Cussons death in 1912, the property exchanged hands multiple times until half of it was torn down. Used as office space and apartments, it was demolished in 1992. Today, you can park just off of Mountain Road and visit what is left of the historic lodge. The tower and surrounding columns are original elements from the Forest Lodge that were salvaged during its razing.

I have driven by some of these places often, visited on field trips and even taken my children’s prom and senior pictures at these locations. It is strange how I would probably go out of my way in another locale to seek out these historic structures and remains, yet, I really never took much time to stop and appreciate them.

Today, I finally did…in good ole’ Glen Allen.

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Courtney Road Station

Address: 3401 Mountain Road, Henrico, Virginia 23060
Hours: 24 hours, daily for outside viewing. By appointment only for interior visits.
Admission: free

RF&P Park

Address: 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
Hours: Grounds open daily.
Admission: free

Crump Park

Address: 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
Hours: dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Meadow Farm Museum

Address: 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
Hours: Grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk. Tours of the farmhouse begin at 1300 and the last tour is held at 1530.
Admission: free

Forest Lodge

Address: Mountain Road & Old Washington Highway, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Hours: Interior not open to the public. Grounds open 24 hours, daily.
Admission: free

His Name Was Thomas

I never really thought about his real name.

Studying the Civil War, we learned about both the Confederate and Union generals, however, one in particular, was was always referred to as “Stonewall”.

His full name was Thomas Jonathon Jackson.

While driving back from Gettysburg, my mind was filled with the landmarks I had seen and my thoughts on what had happened during that three day battle in 1863. Many soldiers and commanding officers gave their lives but no focus was ever put upon what happened to those who survived or those who lost their lives in the days leading up to this historic battle.

As I passed near Fredericksburg, a sign pointing to the “Stonewall” Jackson Death Site caught my eye. There was still a few hours of daylight remaining.

Thomas Jonathon “Stonewall” Jackson was born in Clarksburg in West Virginia. He was received training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was recognized as a hero in the Mexican War. Continuing his military experience at Virginia Military Institute as an instructor, he was made a brigadier general at the first major battle of the Civil War near Manassas, Virginia. It was during that battle that General Bernard E. Bee proclaimed, “There is Jackson standing like a stone wall”.

Well known for his military feats by both the North and the South, he was mistakenly shot by his own men during the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863. Though the bullet only caused his wounding, he was unable to continue his military duties until after recuperating sufficiently. Confederate General Robert E. Lee secured a safe place behind enemy lines in Guinea Station on Thomas C. Chandler’s seven hundred and forty acre plantation, Fairfield.

Though he was welcomed into the family’s home, Jackson’s doctor and staff officers decided to place him in one of the quiet outbuildings which acted as an office of sorts. After sufficient time had passed, Jackson would board a train and travel to Richmond, Virginia for additional medical care.

The general was accompanied during his stay by his doctor’s and staff officers and attempted to overcome his injuries which were amplified by the amputation of his twice wounded left arm. Though his spirits were lifted by the arrival of his wife, Mary Anna, and baby daughter, Julia, he soon succumbed to a bout of pneumonia, crying out in his delirium, “Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hanks…”. The last part of this sentence went unfinished but as a smile spread across his face, he said quietly, “Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.” He then passed away.

Driving through the countryside, I soon found the landmark’s location down a long drive, bordered by railroad tracks. The office is the only remaining structure from the Chandler’s plantation as sometime after the Civil War, the main house was burned during a major fire.

The office was established as a historic shrine in the 1920s, it was renovated then and again in the 1960s. The National Park service added some other pieces from the era to the ones used during Jackson’s stay to recreate the scene of his last days.

The site is part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park so I expected it to be well maintained like the battlefields there. I found, however, long grasses surrounding the building and felt as if it is a site not well visited. I was able to make my way down a brick path to get closer to the structure and a sign in the window gave an overview of his final days.

Just beyond the office was a marker showing the former location of the Chandler house and near the parking lot is a gravestone. Though Stonewall Jackson’s arm was buried in the Lacy Cemetery in Chancellorsville, Virginia, where is was amputated, his body was buried in his hometown of Lexington, Virginia. This gravestone merely marks the spot where he died.

Though not a widely known landmark, if you are a Civil War buff, make sure to seek this out during your visits to the local battlefields and historical landmarks. Not a lot to see, but definitely part of the overall timeline of the war and the overall experience.

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Stonewall Jackson Deathsite

https://www.nps.gov/frsp/learn/historyculture/jds.htm
Address: 12019 Stonewall Jackson Road, Woodford, VA 22580
Hours: Grounds open from sunrise to sunset. Currently most public buildings in the National Park System are closed due to Covid restrictions.
Admission: free
Getting There: Take Rte. 2 south from Fredericksburg for approximately ten miles, then turn right onto Va. Rte. 606, Stonewall Jackson Road for about 3 miles. The “Stonewall” Jackson Death Site will be on the right. Additionally, you can take Rte. 1 south from Fredericksburg for approximately six miles, then turn left onto Guinea Station Road for about six miles. Take a left onto Stonewall Jackson Road, and the “Stonewall” Jackson Death Site will be on the left.

Slow Down

Interstate 64.

I have driven this stretch of roadway many times, heading to the mountains to ski, to my son’s baseball games, to college visits, to pick apples in the fall and to visit friends.

When driving, scenic pull-overs always grab my attention. I love to stop and see why it would warrant someone’s attention.

One such stop, on Interstate 64 eastbound, near Afton Mountain (between mile markers 103 and 104), offers more than just beautiful views of the adjacent Blue Ridge Mountains and Albermarle and Nelson counties.

Constructed in 2004, with $168,000 in donations from VDOT workers and family members, the VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) Workers’ Memorial and Scenic Overlook is a place for family members, friends and colleagues to reflect on the loss of their loved ones who have lost their lives while performing their jobs as state highway transportation workers.

The Virginia Department of Transportation was established in 1906 and since its inception, many workers lives have been lost while carrying forth the responsibilities of their jobs, many in . work zone incidents. The names of 134 employees who have died between 1928 and 2012 are engraved on the memorial in random columns.

The thirteen foot high memorial’s design shows three profiles of workers wearing hard hats cut into black, white and gray granite. These layers of granite depict the diversity of VDOT’s employees and the open profile at one end represents a “missing” worker. While looking through this “missing” worker, visitors can see the scenic view, while enjoying the surrounding wildflowers and daylilies.

If you are heading through beautiful Virginia, take a few minutes to pull over, enjoy the view and pay your respects to those who made the highway you are traveling on possible. And if you see workers along the way…

Slow down!

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VDOT Workers’ Memorial and Scenic Overlook

http://www.virginiadot.org/about/is-worker-memorial.asp
Address: I-64 East, Greenwood, VA 22943
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

Bridge of the Gods

Its wonderful to travel to distant cities and countries. There are so many things to see and do in this world, though, sometimes it is easy to forget to look in your own backyard at the many magnificent things available nearby.

Many years ago, a hurricane was coming. Growing up in Louisiana, I was accustomed to hurricanes, however after moving to Virginia, it never really occurred to me that we might be subject to an occasional storm…but that’s just what happened.

With three young children and a husband out of town on business, I decided to seek shelter in the western part of our state. This is how I came to know the Natural Bridge of Virginia.

After the storm had passed, we were heading back to a home with no power. Three cranky children had no desire to sit in a car for the long ride, so when I spied the exit for Natural Bridge of Virginia, I decided that it would be a great place to let them stretch their legs.

Years later, driving home exhausted after a long college visit, my son and I needed a place to stretch our legs. Spying the sign, we decided it was time to revisit this state treasure.

The Natural Bridge was formed when a cavern collapsed leaving the span that exists today, however, a different story comes from the Monacan Indians. They relate a tale of the bridge appearing before them…The Bridge of the Gods, as they called it…when they needed an escape from an approaching enemy. In 1750, George Washington surveyed the land for Lord Fairfax and the initials GW, which were carved into the side of the bridge, can still be seen today. At the end of the century, Thomas Jefferson built a two-room log cabin, reserving one room for guests. This began the property’s development as a retreat. Eventually, after the sale of the cabin, a new inn was built to accommodate the increasing number of visitors. These visitors still continue to this day.

Pulling into the parking lot, the red brick building was pretty much how I remembered it. What had changed was the admission price. $20 for adult admission seemed a bit steep, but thankfully, I was able to secure a student discount for my son.

As we made our way down the steep, rocky path, we soon found ourselves wandering along the small stream which led us to the thing we had come to see, the Natural Bridge. Funny thing was…last time we had visited, I thought that I had remembered seeing the Natural Bridge last, the culmination of a long walk. Either the path had changed or my memory is not as good as I think! Nevertheless, we took many photographs and gazed upon this spectacular marvel.

Continuing on the Cedar Creek Nature Trail, we enjoyed being out in nature and reveled in the sun and amazing views.

Soon we came to the Monacan Indian Village, a living history exhibit and a joint venture between the Monacan Indian Nation and the Park. This exhibit gives guests the opportunity to step back in time to visualize what life was like in a typical Monacan Indian settlement. Visitors can learn about cooking, tool production, pottery, basket weaving, venture into reproductions of Indian structures.

After walking for another two hundred yards, we soon came to the Saltpetre Mine, which is a large hole in the canyon wall formed by flowing water and erosion. During the War of 1812 and the Civil War, workmen made gunpowder from the nitrates that were mined and from bird and bat droppings. The cave is now closed, however, you can walk across the bridge and look into the dark opening.

Further along the trail, we came to the Lost River, an underground river, which is located about half a mile upstream from the bridge.

Finally, the culmination of our easy hike was the Lace Waterfalls. A small, round, walled area, gives visitors a place to gaze upon the small waterfall and rest for a short time before returning to the trail and the Visitor’s Center. As we rested, we were lucky to be able to enjoy the many colorful butterflies flitting around the area!

Despite the hefty admittance price, the trail was extremely scenic and historic and we thoroughly enjoyed our time on the premises. Shortly after our visit, however, I came across an interesting article informing that the Natural Bridge Park will officially become the 37th of Virginia’s State Parks on September 24, 2016.

“At long last, this historic site will be under public management, operated by Virginia State Parks as a state park in perpetuity. Visitors will immediately see changes with new signs, new Virginia State Park staff, new state park branded items in the gift shop, and lower daily admission fees.” Plans include increased programming and activities, and new hiking trails. From the website: Bearing Drift https://bearingdrift.com/2016/09/22/natural-bridge-becomes-virginias-newest-state-park-free-admission-saturday/

Great news! Virginia’s state parks are extremely well run and great places to spend time. So with this announcement, put on your walking shoes, pack a lunch, grab your family and go out and visit the Natural Bridge Park! With a lower entrance fees, cooler weather and changing foliage, now is a great time to visit the Natural Bridge State Park.

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Natural Bridge State Park

15 Appledore Lane, Natural Bridge, VA, 24578
Hours: 08:00 until dusk, daily
Admission: Adults (13 and over) $8, Children (6-12 years) $6 http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/feesadmprk.pdf
How to Get There: From I-81, take exit 175 or 180A to U.S. 11 and follow signs to the park. From Northern Virginia, driving time, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, four hours; Roanoke, 30 minutes.