For history lovers who want to get away and experience the simple life with a variety of historical points of interest, abundant natural beauty and even some wine tastings and luxury treatments, Patrick County, Virginia is your perfect destination. Here are 20 must-see places to help you unplug, unwind, and step back in time.
The Reynolds Homestead
Step back into the Victorian era at the historic Reynolds Homestead, built in 1814. This tobacco plantation, named the Rock Spring Plantation, was home to R. J. Reynolds, founder of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Here you can take a tour of the main house and other buildings around the homestead, learn the history of the Reynolds Tobacco Company and of the enslaved men & women that lived and worked on the plantation & visit their cemetery. Take a self-guided tour around the property or sign-up in advance for a guided tour by one of the Homestead’s knowledgeable guides. While you are there, enjoy the one mile loop walk on their self-guided L.E.A.F. trail to experience the beautiful forest and learn about the flora & fauna native to the area. Visitors on the third weekend of June will be able to enjoy their annual Bushels & Barrels: Local Food, Wine & Beer festival.
Jack’s Creek Covered Bridge
Walk through the historic Jacks Creek Covered Bridge, located in Woolwine. It was built in 1914 to gain access across the Smith River to the neighboring Jacks Creek Primitive Baptist Church, where the bridge derives its name. Now substituted by an adjacent modern day steel beam bridge, Jacks Creek Covered Bridge is still open to visitors to walk through and sign the guest book. The site of the bridge is a wonderful spot for a blanket picnic or getting your feet wet in the river on a hot Summer’s day. Visitors on the third Saturday in June will be able to catch the annual Virginia Covered Bridge Festival located just across the road. The festival was originally designed to celebrate two of Patrick County’s Covered Bridges, the second being Bob White Covered Bridge which was tragically swept away by floodwaters in 2015.
Laurel Hill
Laurel Hill is the birthplace and childhood home of Civil War General J.E.B. Stuart. Upon arrival, visitors can pick up a self-guided tour brochure at the entrance and proceed onto the grounds. Visitors on the first weekend in October can enjoy the Civil War Reenactment & Living History Weekend that takes place on the property every year. Neighboring Laurel Hill is the oldest grave in Patrick County belonging to Stuart’s great-grandfather William Letcher who was a member of the local militia during the Revolutionary War. Letcher met a tragic end, being murdered in front of his family on his own doorstep by British Loyalists.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Breaking ground in 1935, the Blue Ridge Parkway was built by order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to connect Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the edge of North Carolina. Spanning 469 miles, this famous scenic drive was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps camp which created much needed jobs during and after the Great Depression. No commercial vehicles, billboards or other non-essential signage are allowed, leaving the Parkway to show off the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A smooth 45 mile and hour drive down the Parkway will offer breathtaking overlooks, recreation areas with camping and picnicking, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife.
Meadows Of Dan Village
On top of the mountain lies the charming village of Meadows of Dan. Here, you will find local home-style cooking as well as many unique places to shop. Poor Farmers Market offers a variety of quirky treasures and gifts as well as locally produced honey, jams, produce and more. Concord Corner Store offers an expanse of high quality, local artisan crafts such as large quilts, household woodworks, local wines, jewelry, moroccan lamps, lace dream catchers and more. Nancy’s Candy Company is a working candy factory with it’s own delightful storefront. Inside, you can look through the windows and watch your candy being made. Indulge in a variety of fudge, chocolates, gummies and more. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right through Meadows of Dan and is an easy hop on or off for a beautiful drive.
Grist Mills
Patrick County is home to two historic grist mills. The oldest is Cockram’s Mill. Built in 1885, this grist mill sits on the banks of the Dan River headwaters. The mill was also once the home of the Dan River Queen, a passenger River Boat the offered tours along the water. The Queen can still be seen today, laid to rest beside the mill. The second mill is the famous Mabry Mill, located North on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This grist mill, built in 1908, is the most photographed spot on the Parkway. In the warm months, the property offers visitors the opportunity to go inside the mill and also tour the other buildings on the property to learn about the skills and trades of the time. There is also a restaurant and gift shop on the property. In the Winter months the grounds are still open to visitors without tours or restaurant hours.
Patrick County Historical Society Museum
In the museum of the Patrick County Historical Society, visitors can learn all about the history of Patrick County. This museum houses many interesting exhibits like a rare three-seat horse-drawn buggy called a “drummers hack”, an original moonshine still owned by a Patrick County moonshiner, historical artifacts, vintage memorabilia and genealogical research assistance. Talk to a historian about where you’ve been and they can tell you where to go next!
The Hollow History Center
Make an appointment at the Hollow History Center and be treated to a walk through the history of the Patrick County “Hollow” in Ararat at no charge. On site you will find exhibits such as the Riley Puckett Cabin, the Library Cabin, a Log Tobacco Barn with farm equipment and a section of the Mount Airy and Eastern, or “Dinky,” Railroad. You will also find a collection of local history, photos and genealogy. Bring your lunch to enjoy the picnic shelter on site.
New Deal Post Office Mural
The Stuart Post Office houses one of the two surviving post office murals painted by John E. Costigan during the Great Depression. “Receiving the Mail on the Farm” was installed in 1942 and commissioned as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal project. The mural depicts a farming family pausing their work to read the mail they received. This mural has a similar sister in Rensselaer, Indiana with the same name and once had a third similar painting hung in Girard, Ohio that has since been destroyed. Visitors to the Stuart Post Office will find the mural straight back from the entrance. You can also read about this mural on the Appalachian Mural Trail.
Rock Churches Of The Blue Ridge
Made famous by the book “The Man Who Moved A Mountain” by Richard C. Davids, Patrick County is home to two of the five beautiful Rock Churches in the area. Mayberry Presbyterian Church (1925) and Slate Mountain Presbyterian Church (1932), both in Meadows of Dan, were built by Rev. Robert Childress from the stone of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can take a three hour “Backroads Tours” of all five churches created by The Mountain Laurel.
Mayberry Trading Post
From Meadows of Dan, drive South on the Blue Ridge Parkway to visit the Mayberry Trading Post. This general store built in 1892 was once the only place of commerce in the mountain community and originally served as the local post office. The store is still open to this day and offers visitors much of what was offered in its heyday. In the Fall, apple butter is made right outside the building. You can purchase homemade goods like Wild Elderberry Jam or Mayberry souvenirs. On the Andy Griffith Show, Andy talked about “the real Mayberry up on the mountain”. Many believe this area was what the character was referring to, as the show was based on the neighboring town of Mount Airy, NC.
Puckett Cabin
South of Meadows of Dan on the Blue Ridge Parkway is Puckett Cabin. This Parkway exhibit is the home of celebrated mountain midwife Orlean Hawks Puckett. She is known for delivering over 1,000 babies in the surrounding mountain area and never once lost a mother or child. Puckett started her midwife career at the age of 52 after losing 24 of her own infant s. She lived to the age of 102. Visitors can pull just off the Parkway to view her cabin home and read about her remarkable life. Want to know more? Read Orlean Puckett: The Life of a Mountain Midwife, 1844-1939 by Karen Cecil Smith. You can also ask about her at the Hollow History Center, land still owned by her husband’s family.
Philpott Dam & Lake
Built in 1942, Philpott Dam was constructed to relieve constant flooding by the Smith River into nearby towns and residential areas and to also generate hydroelectric power. Divers under the water will find the lost town of Fayerdale which was flooded to complete the project. Visitors can view the dam and the beautiful lake from the Philpott Overlook. The Visitors Center houses a small museum where guests can learn about the history of the dam and the local flora and fauna. Philpott Lake also offers an array of outdoor recreation opportunities to enjoy while you are there such as camping, hiking, paddling, boating, fishing and swimming. You can also visit neighboring Fairy Stone State Park, the second largest state park in Virginia. Here you can find outdoor adventures as well as rare staurolite crystals, locally called “fairy stones.” Pro tip: Head to the Fairy Stone Pit Stop just outside of the park for one of the best fairy stone hunt sites around.
Motorsports Museums
Patrick County is rich in motor sports history, beginning from the days of running moonshine. You can visit the VA Motorsports Museum & Hall of Fame in Stuart from 9 AM to 5 PM to learn all about the local and statewide history of the sport. Next door is the museum of one of the oldest teams in NASCAR who got their start in Patrick County, the Wood Brothers.
Blue Ridge Wineries
Enjoy the variety of three unique wineries that grace Patrick County. Stanburn Winery outside of Stuart offers delicious wines with locally inspired names such as “Highfly,” a sweet white named after J.E.B. Stuart’s battle horse. Look for their monthly wine festivals in the summer. Along the parkway you will find Villa Appalaccia. This Italian inspired winery offers many varieties of their European-style wines as well as cheese plates and the occasional live music all in a gorgeous villa setting. Just down the Parkway is Chateau Morrisette Winery. The Morrisette family have been in business since 1978, building the largest producing winery in Virginia. Have a tasting in their expansive tasting room or take a tour behind the scenes of their large operation with beautiful views.
Primland Resort & Other Places To Rest Your Head
While you are cruising around the area, make Primland Resort your home base. Here you will find a variety of accommodation options to suit your needs. Try a suite in the main lodge, a luxury tree-house with spectacular views or even a private cabin. While you are there (or even if you stay elsewhere), have a round of golf, get a massage or spa treatment, take a dip in the pool or dine at one of their three restaurants. Don’t want to splurge on the resort-style vacation? There are a variety of options for your perfect Patrick County getaway! Wolf Creek Farm in Ararat boasts an expansive, family friendly setting to rest your head. They offer many options like farmhouse rooms, private cottages and even special motorcycle accommodations. Willville Motorcycle Camp is a biker’s paradise when exploring the Parkway and surrounding area. They offer cabins, bunk houses, & campsites with motorcycle-only traffic, campfires, bike shelters, bathhouses, and more all for very affordable rates. Wanting to actually get away? Try one of the many private cabins and cottages for rent in the area or pitch your tent or park a camper at a campground. A quick look on visitpatrickcounty.org will give you many options to choose from.