Category: Virginia

George Mason’s Gunston Hall

Lorton VA

George Mason was the author of the Bill of Rights, which became the foundation for the first ten amendments to the US constitution. In fact, several states (mostly Virginia) would not ratify the constitution unless they were assured the Bill of Rights would be added. On this visit we only had time to go through the visitor center, so we did not see the Gunston Hall house. This post is mainly a high level history lesson about the Revolutionary War and George Mason’s role as described on panels in the visitor center.

Bust of George Mason
Wine glass chiller/punch bowl that belonged to Mason, and a brick from Gunston Hall.

James Monroe Birthplace

Colonial Beach VA

James Monroe, our fifth President, was born here in 1758. He lived here until he was 16 and he entered William & Mary College. The house has been rebuilt according to historical records. All the rooms are set with pieces that reflect mid-18th century furnishings.

Bed warmer
Reproduction of the coat worn by 18 year old Lieutenant James Monroe at the Battle of Trenton in 1776. A feature of the uniforms of that time was the rank of Major and above wore two epaulets, while the rank of Captain wore a single epaulet on the right side, and ranks below Captain wore a single epaulet on the left side.
The visitor center has a few portraits of James Monroe…
Bust of James Monroe, by Cathe Wahendahl, 1957
James Monroe was a significant contributor to the early days of our country. He is considered “The Last Founding Father”. I think he deserves more attention and honor. This site should be part of our National Park system, but so far, it is a privately run organization.

George Washington Birthplace

Colonial Beach VA

Washington was born here in Westmoreland County, and he moved to Fredericksburg’s Ferry Farm when he was 6 years old.
Washington Birthplace monument obelisk.
This outline marks the archeological remains of a brick foundation representing a substantial 18th century home that belonged to the Washington family.
Colonial Revival Garden
Pathway to memorial house.
Washington Birthplace Memorial House. This house was built in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth.
The Washington family farm backed up to Popes Creek.
Colonial Revival Kitchen.
Tobacco barn
Tobacco
Farm Workshop
Walnut tree
Fig tree
Washington family tree
Bust of Washington inside the Memorial House.

NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center

Wallops Island VA

Tribute to the Apollo 11 mission, the first to land a man on the moon, July 1969.
Rocks from the surface of the moon…
Sounding rocket nose cone
Model of Saturn V rocket
Model of USS Ronald Reagan
Tiamat was the first research rocket launched from Wallops Island.
Rockets leading to the viewing stand. You can watch launches from here.
Various rockets on display.
Nike-Cajun 1956-1976
Black Brant IX first launched 1982