Table of Contents AREA INFORMATION . 4 ATTRACTIONS . 7 RECREATION & SERVICES. 18 THEATER & FiNE ARTS . 28 ANNUAL EVENTS . 30 LODGING . 33 RESTAURANTS . 39 www.VisitOrangeVirginia.com Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 133 • Orange, VA 22960 www.VisitOrangeVirginia.com 877.222.8072 County Administrator, Bill Rolfe Tourism Director, Julie Jordan Montpelier Photography on the Cover, Courtesy of the Montpelier Foundation Butterflies by Lillian Goodwin Publication Design, Layout and Selected Photography by Toyita Rivera Proof-reading by Edie Pierce Maps by Andrew Green OC-VB-TR-09 www.visitorangevirginia.com Area Information Welcome to Orange County Virginia! Nestled in Virginia’s north-central Piedmont region, Orange County is graced with rolling landscapes and incredible mountain vistas. Wine aficionados savor the finest wines at our award-winning wineries and tour old world cellars where the smell of oak barrels and aged wines make this an unforgettable experience. Travel the Constitution Route, Virginia State Route 20, and visit presidential homes, Civil War battlefields, wineries and other historic sites. Walk in the footsteps of James Madison, our fourth President and “Father of the Constitution” at his beloved home Montpelier. Delight in the breathtaking view from Montpelier, described by Madison as, “A squirrel’s jump from heaven.” Four U.S. presidents, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Taylor, were either born or built their private estates along this historic 90-mile route. A short drive from Madison’s Montpelier is Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and James Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland. Envision the crimson fields of battle and feel the spirit of thousands of soldiers who fought at the Wilderness Battlefield as you travel the Civil War Trails. Enjoy gracious southern hospitality, equestrian events, museums, galleries, quaint shops and lodging at elegant and charming bed and breakfast inns, or at the award-winning Holiday Inn Express with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Exceedingly rich in history, Orange County was created in 1734 and named in honor of William, Prince of Orange, and husband of Anne, Princess Royal of England. It bears the distinction of having been the largest Virginia county ever formed and covered the vast unknown territory from its present eastern boundary to the 4 877-222-8072 Mississippi River on the west and to the Great Lakes on the north. In 1722, King George I awarded patents totaling 13,500 acres to James Taylor II, a former Knight of the Golden Horseshoe. Two of Taylor’s great-grandsons became President of the United States - Zachary Taylor, born in Orange County, and James Madison of Montpelier. Location: Orange County is located 72 miles from the state capitol of Richmond; 75 miles from Northern Virginia and the nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C.; and 25 miles from Charlottesville. The county consists of 355 sq. miles (277,200 acres) with elevations of 175 feet above sea level along the Rapidan River, to 1,200 feet in the Blue Ridge foothills. The towns of Orange, Gordonsville and Locust Grove are the historic centers of commercial and industrial activity. Scenic Virginia By-Ways: Most main roads through Orange County, including routes 3, 15, 20, 22 and 231, are officially endorsed as official Virginia Scenic By- Ways, meaning that they lead to, or are within, areas of historical, natural or recreational significance. Topography: The topography ranges from steep and rolling hills in the northern part of the county, to fairly level land in the southern portion. www.visitorangevirginia.com 5 Climate: The average high temperature in the summer is 86 degrees (F), while winter’s average low temperature is 30 degrees (F). Annual precipitation averages 41 in., and the average snowfall is 17 inches. Directions: The County is located in Central Virginia. Interstates 95 and 64 are within 40 miles of the Town of Orange. The Visitors Bureau is located at 122 East Main Street, at the Train Station in the Town of Orange. From I-64, take Exit 136 and follow Rt. 15N to the Town of Orange. Turn right on Main St. (Rt. 20). Train Station is on the right. From Interstate 95, take Exit 130/Rt. 3W. Follow Rt. 3W. to Rt. 20S. Turn right onto 15N. Turn right onto Main Street. Train Station will be on the right. Commercial Airports Charlottesville/Albemarle, 28 miles Dulles International, 75 miles Richmond International, 78 miles Reagan National, Washington, DC, 86 miles Mileage from Orange to: Charlottesville 25 Fredericksburg 37 Philadelphia 227 Raleigh 247 Richmond 72 Virginia Beach 185 Washington, D.C. 87 Williamsburg 129 6 877-222-8072 Attractions Beautiful rolling hills with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance, magnificent sunsets and peaceful surroundings add to the experience when visiting Orange County’s award-winning wineries, historic churches, presidential homes, and museums. Come explore the vastness of our beauty, history and culture for yourself. Montpelier, Home of James and Dolley Madison 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station 540-672-2728 www.montpelier.org The lifelong home of James Madison, fourth President and “Father of the Constitution,” and wife Dolley, America’s FIRST “First Lady.” Experience the world of James and Dolley Madison as you explore their newly restored plantation home where you can stand in the library where James Madison first envisioned the Constitution. Walk in an old growth forest where he contemplated democracy, gaze at the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and stroll through the formal garden. Visitors can watch the ongoing archaeological excavation each summer at Mount Pleasant, the site of Grandfather Ambrose Madison’s early home. The Gilmore Cabin is a post-Civil War African- American’s house on the Montpelier property. The log house was built in about 1870 by George Gilmore, a former Madison slave. President Madison’s nephew owned the land. George Gilmore www.visitorangevirginia.com 7 was more than 90 years old when he purchased the house and 16 acres for $560, just before the death of Dr. James Ambrose Madison in 1901. Delight in the spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoy the many special events held annually at historic Montpelier. Barboursville Ruins 17655 Winery Road, Barboursville 540-832-3824 www.barboursvillewine.com Governor Barbour’s mansion, now preserved as a historic landmark after a Christmas Day fire in 1884, was designed by Thomas Jefferson to be the grandest residence in Orange County. With brick walls laid in Flemish bond, Palladian porticoes on two sides and a splendid central octagonal parlor, the Barbour mansion was the seat of a thriving agriculture estate of early Virginia. Barbour was Virginia’s first Governor (1812-1814), U.S. Senator, Secretary of War, Ambassador to Great Britain, and President of the Albemarle Agricultural Society as his neighbor James Madison had been before him. He is buried with members of his family on the estate in a simple gravesite, now preserved by Barboursville Vineyards. Ash Lawn-Highland Home of President James Monroe 1000 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville 434-293-9539 www.ashlawnhighland.org This 535-acre estate of James and Elizabeth Monroe recreates their early 19th century plantation. Enjoy the Monroes’ refurbished home and its 8 877-222-8072 elegant American and French furnishings, costumed crafters, boxwood gardens, picnic spots, grazing cattle and glimpses of Monticello. Children delight in visiting the sheep, chickens and peacocks, and rolling hoops on the lawn. Groups welcome. Annual events include Historic Garden Week in April,Virginia Wine Festival in May, Plantations Days, Summer Music Festival, Christmas festivities and more. Open daily 9-6 April-October, and 11-5 November-March. Closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Ellwood Manor & Wilderness Battlefield on the Virginia Civil War Trails Route 20, 1 mile south of Route 3, Locust Grove 540-786-2880 www.fowb.org Perched on a knoll overlooking Wilderness Run, the circa 1790 plantation has a rich Civil War heritage, in addition to a visit by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1824. It served as a Confederate Hospital and later as the Headquarters of three Union generals. The family cemetery became the burial site for General “Stonewall” Jackson’s amputated arm. Operated by the National Park Service. Open 9 to 5, seven days a week, including Memorial Day-Columbus Day. Located on Route 20, one mile south of the Rt. 3 & 20 intersection. Germanna Visitors Center Rt. 3 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove 540-423-1700 www.germanna.org Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood was sent from England by the appointed Royal Governor George Hamilton, Earl of Orkney, to take charge of the Virginia colony in 1710. In 1714, he established the first fully equipped iron furnace in the colonies and settled a group of German immigrants on the banks of the Rapidan River and named the settlement “Germanna.” At that time, Germanna represented the western frontier for English settlement in the New World. The Center houses a research library and memorabilia. Hours are Tuesday- Saturday 1-5 pm. www.visitorangevirginia.com 9 Historic Orange Train Station Orange County Visitors Center 122 East Main Street, Orange 540-672-1653 Toll free 1-877-222-8072 www.visitorangevirginia.com The Orange Train Station was built in 1909-10, in a Colonial Revival style. Passenger train service was discontinued in the early 1970’s. The station was renovated in 1997, and is the home of the Orange County Visitors Bureau. Stop in for information about the area, as well as free maps and brochures. Open 9-5 daily except for major holidays. Monticello, Home of Thomas Jefferson Route 53, Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville 434-984-9822 www.monticello.org Home of Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. President, author of the Declaration of Independence and founder of the University of Virginia. Monticello is a majestic reminder of Jefferson’s creativity and talent.