Why Go To Virginia

Our Virginia

Virginia conjures up all kinds of romance and my experience of Virgina definitely lends itself to that feeling. This Family has interesting genealogy dating back to the American Revolution and before. Yup! Before… we have one line (that I need to research more) on my mother’s side that is rumored to date back to the Jamestown Colony. I also have two Native American bloodlines, also rumored to be from Virginia. I say rumored because until I have actual documentation, I’ve learned best not claim things. So far I’ve been able to concretely place ancestors in Middleburg, Williamsburg, and Alexandria. In case you didn’t know, these are towns that were crucibles to starting this nation we now call The United States of America. (cool right?)

We love visiting Virginia. We have family that lives there and every time we visit, I feel a pull stronger and stronger to relocate. Given our collective passions for American history, family, genealogy, and the great outdoors, it’s not really a surprise. Just waiting for that right opportunity… Hello? Visit Virginia? Is that you calling?

Every town seems like it could be a version of Stars Hollow and I’m a sucker for a town with a gazebo. The mom and pop stores are unique and so much fun to shop.

Native Virginia

It goes without saying that the Virginia area was already populated with thriving communities of Native peoples when the Europeans arrived. Today there are eleven tribes recognized officially by Virginia. I’m happy to say their stories are being updated and woven into attractions and stories throughout Virginia. The truth is our indigenous peoples are an integral part of our history as a nation and recognizing this part brings a more complete and robust history to be shared and learned. Even the Jamestown Settlement, the oldest Non Native settlement in the nation, boasts a Powhatan living history village. So great!

Colonial History

I mentioned our family ties to America’s origins. According to my research, we have 34 patriot fighters in the family and counting! We even are related to one of the founders of William and Mary college where guys like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson went to school. (Yeah, my cool points just went up) WHY no one told me this when I was younger is beyond me. I totally would have gone there and LOVED it!!

It will likely take me the rest of my life to get it all documented but I am slowly collecting some excellent stories! Virgina was and is the heart of it all! It was the heart of the American Revolution and the heart of the Civil War. (The canons on all the courthouse lawns still face north) You can’t go anywhere in the state without uncovering a fantastic story of George Washington or Ben Franklin or any of our other founding fathers.

The best part is people actively use their time and resources to preserve these places and stories. It would be my wish for every American to visit these sites and learn the stories to better understand how and why our country was founded.

See Sage in all her Colonial glory teaching crafts HERE

Coming Soon:

One Day in Middleburg Virginia

Gunston Hall

And SO much more…