In early May my mom and I embarked on a time-traveling adventure from Williamsburg to Richmond to Hanover County, Virginia, following the footsteps of patriot Patrick Henry. We explored everything from the site of his Stamp Act debate in Williamsburg in 1765, to the site of his fiery ‘Give me Liberty or Give me Death Speech’ at St. John’s Church in Richmond, to his homestead at Scotchtown, and beyond… We enjoyed a full weekend of Patrick Henry Liberty Adventures! In today’s posts, I’ll walk you through the must-see stops along the Patrick Henry Liberty Trail.
Getting to know Patrick Henry: A Voice of The Revolution
Born on May 29th 1736 at Studley, a farm in Hanover County Virginia, just outside of Richmond, Patrick Henry would become a voice of liberty and voice of revolution, helping to inspire and ignite a fire for Independence. Patrick’s father, John was originally from Scotland. John Henry had been educated at King’s College in Aberdeen before emigrating from Scotland to America. Settling in Virginia he met his wife, Sarah Winston Syme and they settled at Studley Plantation. John Henry was a staunch Anglican, while his wife Sarah was a Presbyterian, and Patrick Henry would attend services at both churches in the area.
Young Patrick attended a local school for a few years, and then received the remainder of his formal education from his father. At age fifteen Henry began working as a clerk for a local merchant and he and his older brother Williams tried to open their own store, but it failed.
Henry had a bit of a career crisis and struggled to figure out what he wanted to do, which I think many of us can relate to during parts of our own career journeys as well.
After marrying his first wife, Sarah Shelton at age eighteen, the husband and wife team attempted to work as a planter on a 600-acre farm from Sarah’s dowry called Pine Slash. The home was destroyed by a fire in 1757, and he once again tried to open a store, but failed.
He then helped his father-in-law run the Hanover Tavern, across the road from the county courthouse, which we’ll be visiting later in our tour.
It was during this time, perhaps inspired by the legal minds he encountered at the tavern after court, that Henry decided to study law. He quickly proved himself a formidable attorney, blessed with a God-given gift as a debater. By 1760, nearing his twenty-fourth birthday, Henry decided to become a lawyer. Though self-taught and barely prepared, he remarkably persuaded a panel of distinguished Virginia attorneys, including George Wythe and John Randolph, that he possessed the inherent intelligence to warrant admission to the bar. With his energy, talents, and some encouragement from his influential family, Patrick Henry established a thriving practice in the courts of Hanover and adjacent counties. He made a name for himself in several landmark cases, most notably with the 1763 Parsons’ Cause (we’ll learn more about this in a bit during our tour of Hanover Courthouse). Later, in 1774, he is believed to be the first attorney to use the insanity defense in colonial America when defending his client Henry Bullard (source).
Henry’s career in politics began in 1765, when he was elected to the House of Burgesses from Louisa County. He joined the lower house of Virginia’s colonial legislature not long after news reached the colony of Parliament’s passage of the notorious Stamp Act. We learned about the Stamp Act while in Brunswicktown, NC, which was the site of one of the first armed resistances to the act (November 1765). The Stamp Act was designed to help reduce the debt the British incurred during the French and Indian War/Seven Years War. While a tax to pay down debt makes sense in theory, the way it was designed was to unfairly target the colonies. Citizens of England were supposed to have representation for taxation; the colonies, however, had no direct representation in Parliament, and their own colonial legislatures, like the House of Burgesses, had not authorized the tax.
While many members of the House of Burgesses were angered by the tax, they also maintained a profound respect for English authority and thus trod carefully. Nonetheless, Henry, along with fellow burgesses John Fleming and George Johnston, led a protest against the Stamp Act in the House of Burgesses, challenging its constitutionality. Henry introduced five resolutions on May 30, 1765. He asserted that colonists possessed the full rights and privileges of Englishmen, including the fundamental constitutional principle, recognized by British kings and people alike, that only the people themselves or their elected representatives could levy a tax upon them. The fifth resolution radically declared that only the House of Burgesses had the right to tax the inhabitants of the colony.
Henry then launched into a fiery speech in front of the House in Williamsburg, witnessed by Thomas Jefferson, a student at William and Mary at the time. In his address, Henry forcefully spoke against the Stamp Act, attacking Parliament’s claim of authority to tax the colonies and seemingly advocating resistance if the imperial government persisted in its course. During the speech, Henry famously declared that King George III risked the fate of Julius Caesar if he continued to disregard American liberty. Some members of the House were so shocked they shouted ‘treason,’ of which Henry is famous for saying “If this be treason, make the most of it.” This moment shook the foundations of the legislature, helping to plant the early seeds of independence. The resolutions and accounts of the speech were published throughout the colonies and even in Britain, helping to spark others throughout Virginia and beyond to stand up against the Stamp Act. (Source)
Henry carried this sentiment into his most famous speech when he addressed the Second Virginia Convention at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, on March 23, 1775. It was here that Henry, backed by fellow patriots Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, proposed a series of resolutions to put the colony into a state of defense, specifically to raise a Virginia militia. Conservative members like Edmund Pendleton, Richard Bland, Robert Carter Nicholas, and Benjamin Harrison attacked Henry’s proposals as rash and provocative, fearing they would sever any hope of reconciliation with Britain. Henry, however, powerfully argued that Boston’s harbor being closed was an act of war, demonstrating that Virginia, too, was under direct threat. He vehemently rebuked the idea that Boston’s plight had nothing to do with Virginia, instead asserting that the colonies were inextricably linked, unified in their struggle for liberty. Thus he launched into his famous speech that ignited the call for liberty that still rallies American patriotism today.
Here is an excerpt of the famous speech:
“There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come!! I repeat it, sir, let it come!!! It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why do we stand here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God—I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.” Excerpt from Patrick Henry’s speech.
You can watch a fiery re-enactment of Henry’s speech from the 250th celebration at St. John’s Church in Richmond here:
After a brief stint in the Second Continental Congress from May 1775 to August 1st 1775, before returning home to Hanover County. He was then appointed the Governor of Virginia after Lord Dunmore was ousted in early 1776. He served as governor from 1776-1779 and again 1784-1786
As the United States moved to adopt the U.S. Constitution, Henry, despite his earlier fervent calls for colonial unity, was surprisingly against a stronger federal government. His reasoning was primarily tied to the Constitution’s initial lack of a Bill of Rights. He feared that without explicit guarantees, the new national government would wield too much power and threaten individual liberties. These essential protections were, of course, eventually enshrined in the Constitution as the first ten amendments, directly addressing the concerns raised by Henry and other Anti-Federalists. (source)
Henry was married twice, first to Sarah Shelton (1754-1775) and then to Dorothea Dandridge (1777-99) . He died and is buried at his final residence of Red Hill in Brookneal about two hours west of Richmond.
Now that we’ve had our meet and greet with this amazing patriot, let’s embark on our Patrick Henry Give Me Liberty Tour.
The Patrick Henry Liberty Trail
We’ll begin our journey in Hanover County, the place of Patrick Henry’s birth and the region where he spent his formative years through the entirety of the American Revolution. Situated just northwest of Richmond, Hanover County was founded in 1720 and boasts an abundance of historical sites, ranging from ancient Native American history and the early colonial era to the pivotal revolutionary period with Patrick Henry, and beyond. This county’s unique appeal lies in its harmonious blend of significant historical landmarks, serene natural beauty, picturesque farmlands, and charming, vibrant towns like Ashland, which offers a delightful mix of history and a burgeoning arts scene.
Studley: Located in the heart of Hanover County, amid farmlands and winding byways, you’ll discover the birthplace site of Patrick Henry. Today it is a serene, barren field, where only a road marker designates its story. Yet, in the whispers of the wind as the grass rustles and the sun bears down, you can almost hear the stories of the past, with archaeological remains lying as a memory in the soil. This is where Henry was born and raised. Before burning to the ground in 1807, it was the site of a magnificent, two-story brick house.
The home was built by John Syme in the 1720s for his wife, Sarah Winston. After Syme’s death, she married Scotchman John Henry, and it was here that the couple had nine children, including their famous son, Patrick Henry. Archaeological excavations and surviving insurance maps for Studley show that by 1796, the main 40-by-30-foot brick structure stood two stories high, complemented by several outbuildings. Today, visitors can stop at the roadside to view the historical memorial. Not far from the birthplace site, you can enjoy a cold drink and buy snacks at the historic Studley General Store, a delightful step back in time itself. Learn more here
Continuing on the Patrick Henry Trail, you’ll discover the remnants his former home site at Pine Slash near Mechanicsville VA (roughly 16 minutes from the site of Studley)
Pine Slash was the first home of Patrick Henry and his bride, Sarah Shelton. A manor house and 316 acres in Hanover County were given to Henry and Sarah by her family on the occasion of their marriage. Tragically, the home was almost immediately destroyed by fire after they moved in. The couple then moved to a neighboring cottage, known as the “Honeymoon Cottage.” This ca. 1750 structure may be a unique survival of a rare form of colonial vernacular construction. Both exterior and interior walls are built of heavy vertical planks. The planks are sheathed with weatherboard outside but are exposed inside, their joints covered with battens. Another interesting interior feature is the simple stair with its faceted newel pendant. The cottage on the Pine Slash property was enlarged ca. 1800 but has escaped modernization. Nearby is a ca. 1830 gambrel-roofed farmhouse built for the Jones family. Learn more here
Hanover Courthouse and Hanover Tavern
Hanover Courthouse: Where Patrick Henry found his Legal Calling
The community of Hanover Courthouse is a historical gem, located only thirty minutes north of Richmond and not to be missed. For over 300 years, this site has served as the undisputed center of Hanover County’s political and social life. Historically, rural counties would establish a courthouse as their county seat for all judicial and financial legal matters, ranging from complex trials to something as simple as applying for a permit. Given that Hanover and its surrounding region were predominantly farming communities, judges, lawyers, and businessmen often required lodging and services around the courthouse during and after proceedings. This necessity led these courthouse centers to evolve into vibrant towns and communities, typically featuring a tavern and other essential services for travelers and locals alike.
Today the town of Hanover Courthouse serves as the county seat. The original 1740s courthouse is still in occasional use (mostly for civic events now versus court cases), and you can stand in the spot where Patrick Henry first became an attorney and won his landmark Parson’s Cause case against the English Crown in 1763. The case is still re-enacted every summer in the historic Courthouse associated with the non-profit organization called ‘The Parson’s Cause Foundation.’
- What was the Parson’s Cause case? The Parsons’ Cause was a pivotal 1763 legal dispute in Virginia. It stemmed directly from the fluctuating tobacco-based economy and the salaries of Anglican clergy, who were paid in tobacco. In the late 1750s, Virginia’s economy relied heavily on this crop; Anglican clergymen’s annual salaries, for instance, were paid in tobacco, which effectively served as currency or a valuable bartering commodity. However, severe droughts in 1758 caused tobacco prices to skyrocket dramatically, rising from the customary two cents per pound to as much as six cents. The colonial legislature passed the Two-Penny Act, valuing tobacco payments at a lower, fixed rate. The clergy appealed to England, who overturned the act, prompting ministers like Rev. James Maury to sue for back pay. In Hanover County, a young and then-unknown Patrick Henry famously represented the parish vestry, delivering a powerful speech that criticized British overreach and argued that a king who disallowed beneficial laws “forfeits all right to his subjects’ obedience.” Henry’s impassioned argument persuaded the jury to award Maury only a symbolic one penny, effectively nullifying the king’s disallowance. This case not only launched Henry’s political career and enhanced his legal reputation but also marked a significant early instance of colonial opposition to British authority and growing dissatisfaction with the established church in Virginia.
The courthouse area also includes several other interesting historic buildings, including an Old Stone Jail that operated from the mid-19th century through the 1960s!
Visitors can walk the same ground as Patrick Henry as they tour the courthouse area and explore the area’s other historical sites, from his time in Hanover and from the later 19th-century and beyond.
It is interesting to note that another famous orator and statesman also began his career in Hanover County and then Richmond; Henry Clay was born in Hanover County and would rise to become a prominent lawyer, guided by George Wythe (who is buried at one of our tour stops St. John’s Church.) Learn more about Henry Clay here.
No Patrick Henry tour would be complete without stopping at The Hanover Tavern for a hearty meal and a beverage of your choice. This living piece of history is still a restaurant, serving up delicious food and stories from the past.
Right across the street from The Historic Courthouse, discover The Hanover Tavern, a place where the spirit of the past truly comes to life. You can enjoy a hearty meal and a show today in a building whose foundations date back to the Colonial Era. While the current structure was built in 1799, its origins are much older. The original tavern, built upon these older foundations, was operated by Patrick Henry’s father-in-law, John Shelton (with his wife, Eleanor Parke Shelton), from 1750 to 1764. During this period, Henry himself assisted his father-in-law, greeting and serving guests, tending bar, and entertaining with his fiddle playing and warm personality. This direct exposure to the legal world, observing lawyers and judges at the adjacent courthouse, significantly influenced Henry. It was here that he decided to pursue law, eventually obtaining his license to practice in April 1760 at the age of 24.
The original tavern was a hotbed of activity as many of the leading political figures of the day would stop by on the way to and from Williamsburg and later Richmond. During the American Revolution it was owned by Paul Thilman, and ground zero for Revolutionary War activity. It was during the final months of the American Revolution when Bloody Banastre Tarleton and General Cornwallis briefly occupied the original tavern. The Continental Army also passed through Hanover Courthouse, where in 1781, the Marquis de Chastellux wrote that Hanover Tavern was ‘a tolerably handsome inn, with a large salon and a covered portico.’ (source)
The original tavern was torn down and rebuilt in the 1790s, as the original building was in need of repair and it was more cost effective to rebuild (per Hanover Courthouse records). The current structure’s oldest portion dates to 1791. It continued to be used as a tavern for a number of years. A who’s who of tavern visitors included George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette and of course Patrick Henry. In the 19th century literary titans like Edgar Allan Poe (Richmond native) and Charles Dickens (on his American book tour) stopped by the tavern.
The present tavern is a mix of additions from 1791 to 1832, with the foundations dating back to the original building.
Hanover Tavern and Slave Uprising:
In 1800, Hanover Tavern was a player in the tragic Gabriel’s Rebellion plot, when seven enslaved men from the tavern became embroiled in a slave rebellion led by Gabriel Prosser.
Gabriel’s Conspiracy was a plan by enslaved African American men to attack Richmond and destroy slavery in Virginia. Although thwarted, it remains one of the half-dozen most important insurrection plots in the history of North American slavery. Named after an enslaved blacksmith who emerged as the most significant leader of the plot, Gabriel’s Conspiracy originated during the spring and summer of 1800 in a Henrico County neighborhood north of Richmond and extended primarily across Hanover County into Caroline County and south toward Petersburg. Two enslaved men betrayed the plot just hours before a torrential rainstorm prevented the conspirators from gathering on the night of August 30, 1800. In response, Virginia authorities arrested and prosecuted more than seventy enslaved men for insurrection and conspiracy. Twenty-six of those found guilty were hanged and eight more were transported, or sold outside of the state, while another suspected conspirator committed suicide before his arraignment. A small number of free Blacks were also implicated, and one was prosecuted. The alleged involvement of two Frenchmen in the plot also provided fodder for Federalist attacks on Thomas Jefferson‘s candidacy for the presidency that year. The aborted uprising further provoked refinements in the state’s slave laws at the next meeting of the General Assembly, including the adoption of transportation as an alternative to capital punishment for some enslaved offenders, and intensifying calls for an end to private manumissions and for the deportation of free Blacks.
Slavery is deplorable, and tragically, this rebellion actually caused the rights of enslaved people to be further tightened. In Richmond, many enslaved individuals had enjoyed some freedom of movement prior to this incident; afterward, it led to widespread panic among slaveholders and intensified their bondage. It is indeed sorrowful that it took wars and immense violence to cast aside this evil, and we must continually learn from history to avoid repeating its darkest chapters in the present. Learn more here.
Civil War – The Toll of War in the Midst of Community
During The Civil War: Hanover Tavern became a home for refugees fleeing the Union Army. One such boarder was Margaret Wight and her husband John. While living at the Tavern, Margaret kept a diary, reporting on such things as news of the war, worries about her children, occurrences at the Tavern, and the price of food and clothing. In the opening paragraph of the diary, Margaret refers to the war as “this most unhappy contest, which is now at its height, between the two sections of our once happy country”. Both Union and Confederate troops made numerous stops at the Tavern during the four years of the war.
The Tavern’s Second Act: A Dinner Theatre
Today the Hanover Tavern welcomes hungry travelers to find comfort food and a spirited atmosphere in the walls of this historic tavern. The Hanover Tavern is one of the oldest in Virginia and the United States still in operation as a tavern. The menu is cultivated from local farms and provides a mix of favorite local dishes and pub fare like burgers and sweet potato fries. The staff are friendly, always ready to share their knowledge and passion about the Hanover Tavern.
Depending on the night, you can still catch a show at charming The Barksdale Theatre (performances by the Virginia Repertory Theatre from Richmond).
By 1953, the tavern building had seen better days and was in desperate need of restoration. As luck would have it, a group of young actors from New York saw the potential, and bought the building with the intention of starting a dinner theater. They repaired the building to operate as their home and business, actually beginning the preservation of the old structure. Barksdale Theatre (now Virginia Repertory Theatre) was born and remains today a valuable part of the history of Hanover Tavern.
This the first dinner theatre in the United States and consistently offers top quality performances by the Virginia Repertory Theatre. I can’t wait to return in the fall for dinner and a show at The Hanover Tavern.
Check the The Hanover Tavern calendar for the latest shows and special events here. You can also purchase theatre tickets directly from the Virginia Repertory Theatre.
The Hanover Tavern is a MUST-Stop when in the greater Richmond area – Plan your visit here.
Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown
Nestled among the shade of trees, surrounded by farmland, much as it was 250 years ago, Scotchtown is the only original standing home of Patrick Henry. He lived here from 1771-1778, and it was at Scotchtown,, where he conceived his most influential revolutionary ideas and where he was living when he gave his famous ‘Give me Liberty or Give me Death,’ speech. In the speech he mentions his ties to Hanover County and was no doubt proud of his roots in the community here. Today you can take a tour of his home and the grounds, which are run by the amazing historical organization Preservation Virginia. The dialogue of the tour is based on Henry’s ideals of “Liberty, Human Rights, and Revolution.” Interestingly enough, Henry’s cousin, the future first lady Dolley Madison (then Dolley Payne) stayed with the Henrys here for a time.
You can also learn about the life of Henry’s first wife Sarah Shelton Henry, a force of nature who sadly succumbed to mental illness. Henry cared deeply for his wife and worked to provide a peaceful place for her at Scotchtown (learn more here). This article does a great job paying homage to Sarah!
Scotchtown is run by Preservation Virginia, a wonderful organization that helps preserve, protect and educate the public about Virginia’s historical treasures. I highly recommend a visit to Scotchtown, where we enjoyed connecting with the staff’s knowledge about Patrick Henry and his time at Scotchtown. Plan your visit here
A few miles from Scotchtown, en route to Hanover Courthouse, you can visit Fork Church, an active Episcopal Church with a rich history dating back to the colonial era. Erected around 1737 as the second Lower Church of St. Martin’s Parish in Hanover County, Fork Church derives its name from its distinctive location between the North and South Anna Rivers, near where they converge to form the Pamunkey River.
Notably, Fork Church is one of Virginia’s rare colonial churches that escaped vandalism by Northern troops during the Civil War. Consequently, it retains many early fittings, including its rear gallery, portions of the original pews, and an early communion table. An 1834 pipe organ also survives.
This historic church counts among its regular worshipers such notable figures as Patrick Henry and Dolley Madison(Interestingly, the rector from 1893 to 1903 was Reverend Sewell S. Hepburn, the grandfather of actress Katharine Hepburn.) Learn more here.
Polegreen Church:
As I mentioned in Patrick’s biography, his father, John, was an Anglican, but Henry’s mother, Sarah, was Presbyterian. He would also occasionally accompany his other to the Polegreen Presbyterian Church as well. Sadly the church was destroyed during The Civil War, but today it has been ‘rebuilt’ as a ghost structure, an open air church where you can contemplate and pray while learning about the past. Learn more here
The Fires of Liberty Erupt in Richmond at St. John’s Church:
We took an in depth tour of St. John’s Church in our last blog adventure – click here to read all the details about the history and drama of this important historic church. Originally built in 1741, it was this church where the Second Virginia Convention met in March 1775. Royal Governor Lord Dunmore had ceased House of Burgesses meetings in Williamsburg following the crises with The Tea Act and Intolerable Acts to strangle the rising patriotic threat in Virginia. However the Virginians who had started the first legislature in the western hemisphere in 1619 were not going to stop meeting just because Lord Dunmore demanded it. So they held special conventions to address the legislative issues and rising tensions as needed.
In March 1775, they decided to hold their convention in what was then the small backwoods town of Richmond. This was a strategic decision as Richmond was fifty miles from the capital city in Williamsburg and Lord Dunmore. Fifty miles was enough time for the colonists to be warned if the Royal Governor caught wind of the meeting for them to disperse without any ramifications.
This Convention included a now ‘who’s who’ list of founding fathers including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the President of the Convention Peyton Randolph…but the upstart who changed history on March 23rd, 1775 at St. John’s Church was an attorney from nearby Hanover County, Patrick Henry.
Henry petitioned the convention to raise funds for a militia in case of British attack. He powerfully argued that the British had already accosted their brothers in Boston, citing the closure of the port of Boston under the Intolerable Acts—a direct retaliation for the Boston Tea Party in 1773-74—as well as the earlier Boston Massacre of 1770. While most members in attendance agreed that taxation without representation was wrong, they weren’t ready to break from England and raise arms. Many prudently sought a peaceful negotiation of terms, but Henry recognized that Britain was no longer viewing the colonists as equal citizens, and that protecting their rights would most likely necessitate an impending war. He then fired back at the calls for peace with his famous ‘Give me Liberty or Death Speech,’ famously questioning, ‘is peace so sweet…’
“Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace– but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” – read full speech here.
Henry’s speech not only ignited his fellow Virginians but also emboldened resistance throughout the other colonies. Perhaps what makes this speech so important is not just its premise of liberty, but also Henry’s expansive view of the colonies as a united American entity. He posited that while they were indeed Virginians and New Englanders, they were fundamentally Americans with a common fight for their rights as citizens. This wasn’t merely a New England dispute with the crown, but an American Colonial fight. His fervent call to action proved prophetic, as only a few weeks later, the first shots of the Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775.
Today you can travel back in time to the site where this famous speech happened on March 23, 1775. Today, St. John’s Church Foundation hosts seasonal reenactments of Henry’s speech or you can take a historic tour with a knowledgeable tour guide.
The tours last about 45 minutes and provide a history of St. John’s Church, information about Patrick Henry and his famous speech as well as a tour of their graveyard where over 1500 souls are buried included Declaration of Independence Signer George Wythe and also Eliza Poe, Edgar Allan Poe’s mother who sadly died in Richmond from tuberculosis while acting in a regional stage production. Her son Edgar was adopted by the Allan family of Richmond. You can learn more about Poe’s life in Richmond at the Poe Museum a few miles from St. John’s Church.
Purchase your tickets for St. John’s re-enactments and tours here.
Colonial roots-Revolutionary Voice:
As a legislator in the House of Burgesses and later serving as Virginia’s first governor after the state declared Independence, Henry would often travel to Williamsburg, the capital of Virginia until 1780, when the capital was moved to Richmond. Today Colonial Williamsburg is the world’s largest living history museum, with hundreds of original and reconstructed colonial homes that tell the story of America’s colonial era and Williamsburg’s key role in securing independence. From Henry’s fiery 1765 Stamp Act Speech in Williamsburg’s legislature, to his role in standing up against Lord Dunmore in the Williamsburg’s Gunpowder Incident, which eventually led to Lord Dunmore leaving Williamsburg in June 1775 (and eventually being kicked out of Virginia by January 1776)…these are events you can see re-enacted in Colonial Williamsburg at a session of the House of Burgesses and meet with Patrick Henry re-enactor.
Plan your visit to Colonial Williamsburg here
American Nomad’s Guide to Colonial Williamsburg
Red Hill – Final Resting Place of Patrick Henry
In Patrick Henry’s final years, he moved from his home at Scotchtown to Red Hill, a plantation near the community of Brookneal. Scotchtown, located northwest of Richmond, was roughly a two-hour journey from his new residence at Red Hill, which sits about forty-five minutes south of Lynchburg. Today, visitors to Red Hill can see a careful reconstruction of his former home – the original having burned in 1919 – and explore the actual, original building he used as his law office. The grounds are beautifully maintained, offering insightful tours that delve into Patrick Henry’s life and his significant time spent at Red Hill. He lived here with his second wife, Dorothea Dandridge Henry, and their children. Patrick Henry is buried at Red Hill and you can pay your respects to the orator of the Revolution.
I’m hoping to visit Red Hill in person later this summer and look forward to sharing that experience in a future blog post.
Plan your visit to Red Hill here
Travel Planning Tips:
The majority of the Patrick Henry Liberty Trail is in the Hanover and Richmond area. Richmond has a number of chain hotels, local bed and breakfasts and iconic hotels like The Jefferson Hotel.
I highly recommend Ashland as a good base camp as well. Downtown Ashland is lined with awesome local shops and restaurants and has a thriving arts scene. You can check into places like the charming Henry Clay Inn.
Resources for planning your adventures:
Hanover County Historical Society
Road to Revolution Trail Map – Has a number of sites tied to Virginia’s Patriots
St John’s Church Foundation
I hope this post got you energized about America 250 and The American Revolution. Today we have a role as citizens raising our voices and recognizing the call for liberty, which is always a struggle and hope as we work for a better tomorrow.
Next up we’ll be exploring Richmond before taking a Revolutionary Road Trip to The Waxhaws of NC and SC. Don’t forget to subscribe the latest posts.
Hi, I’m Adele Lassiter, the travel enthusiast behind American Nomad Traveler. This is where I share my love for history, cool museums, art, and travel tips. When I’m not writing, I’m a singer-songwriter with a passion for Americana music. You can find my new album here: adelelassiter.bandcamp.com
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