History

Celebrating Jane Austen’s Birthday in Virginia

That handflex. It’s taken on a life of its own. Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie created an iconic moment in cinema history with a powerful and oh-so-subtle gesture after helping Elizabeth Bennet into her carriage. It’s become a cultural phenomenon, sparking endless debate among Janeites worldwide. Was it […]

by Kinsey Gidick

All Dressed Up, and the Drink is the Show

Mint juleps whet whistles sip after historical sip. Shutterstock She’s the undisputed diva of drinks. Served in a silver cup, she’s minty sweet, icy cold, and strong all at once. She is the mint julep, and her pedigree is pure Virginia. We see you, Kentucky, but she’s ours. Mint juleps were […]

by Staff

Medical Trailblazer

The country’s first plastic surgeon hailed from Prince Edward County. In the mid-19th century, patients seeking the best medical care would travel—even from abroad—to see a Virginia country doctor. And for good reason. John Peter Mettauer of Prince Edward County was widely regarded as one of the finest surgeons alive. The […]

by Dean King

Virginia’s Historic Trails

When the pavement ends, the travel by gravel fun begins. Douglas Graham Douglas Graham / WLP Willisville Road Some historic treasures don’t fit inside a museum. Take the 300 miles of gravel roadways that wind through Loudoun County’s pastures and ridges. “These are the same paths traveled by early colonists, Revolutionary War soldiers, and George Washington […]

by Jill Devine

Legends that Linger

Virginia’s history includes stories of sasquatch sightings and pirate gold. Virginia Legends & Lore by Charles A. Mills. History Press. pp.173. $21.99 Virginia Legends George Washington’s secret son, the origins of Chincoteague’s wild ponies, the hiding place of the mysterious Beale Treasure? Virginia is full of strange […]

by Konstantin Rega

Old Glory

Restoring the grandeur of an antebellum compound takes labor, money, and love. (Photography by Kip Dawkins) John Holland knew when he first visited Oak Ridge, more than 20 years ago, that there was much more to the sprawling, careworn estate in Nelson County than the overgrown gardens and deteriorating steps he saw […]

by tupponce joan

Never More Merry

Virginia’s earliest Christmas celebrations. (Illustration by Robert Meganck) The first Virginia Christmas found the Jamestown adventurers far from home and far from merry. Although it was spring when the three English ships landed in the New World, the men had so neglected the fundamentals of survival in their rush for gold and […]

by miley theobald mary

A Tudor Showcase

It took four years and a few bidding wars with luminaries like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Rod Stewart to get Dover Hall furnished. The result is an astounding collection of period art and antiques. (Photography by Kip Dawkins) It always starts with a modest thought. Dennis Pryor, a Richmond resident, wanted to build […]

by Richard Ernsberger Jr.

Southern Exposure

The expansive valley view from the front windows of Bramblewood Farm in Albemarle county is one of serenity and peace. photography by Andrea Hubbell It’s the bucolic panorama that Jim and Becky Craig envisioned for their Albemarle County home, though it was not immediately evident when they first laid eyes […]

by tupponce joan

Passing Through History

Ben Lomond is one of the oldest houses in Essex County, but the grand estate has many tales yet to tell. Roger Foley 2015 Roger Foley All Rights Reserved 20150812_vlm_ben The historic “Ben Lomond” in Dunnsville, Virginia, the home of Craig and Zorine Shirley. August, 2015. Ben Lomond, a brick Georgian manor house in […]

by tupponce joan

Waterford’s Magic

The village, founded in 1733, thrives with modern life—and they throw a great party every fall. Waterford, VA Linda Landreth and her sheep (Photos by Scott Suchman) It’s morning in the tiny village of Waterford, an hour from bustling Washington, D.C., and Linda Landreth pauses to check on her sheep before rattling […]

by Jill Devine

History Under Glass

The Menokin Foundation and some architects have hatched a bold plan to restore the 18th-century home of Francis Lightfoot Lee using structural glass–something that has never been done before. Architectural drawing of the north façade Photo from the 1940 Historic American Buildings Survey, courtesy of the Menokin Foundation Menokin, beneath its protective metal canopy […]

by erin parkhurst

20 Years: Remember

Where were you? What do you remember? 20 years ago today, 9/11 jolted our hearts and minds. Konstantin Rega After 20 years, 9/11 is still on our minds, though perhaps not in the same ways. Memory is funny like that, sometimes flames and planes are not what remains; instead, simple images like […]

by Staff

Historic Hanover

From its 18th century tavern to the annual tomato festival, this county connects its past with the present. FOR YEARS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN going to Hanover Tavern to enjoy a meal, see a play, or celebrate a wedding. But not all patrons know exactly how many years the tavern has been doing […]

by tupponce joan

It Takes a Village

Chris M. Rogers Maybe you know Gloucester for its daffodils. These “soft reminders of English springs,” brought to Gloucester County by the early English settlers, thrive in this coastal community, beckoning visitors every April with their own festival. But this one-time capital of the Native American Powhatan Confederacy, located an hour from […]

by Staff

Fenced In

The history of the state is all around us.

by Jill Devine

Never Forget

Part of Williamsburg’s Civil War battlefield protected for posterity.

by Markus Schmidt

At Home with History

Take a trip back in time at Richmond’s Tudor-era Agecroft Hall.

by Markus Schmidt

Here We Come A-Wassailing

An Anglo-Saxon tradition approximately 1,500 years old, and an early ancestor to eggnog and other end-of-the-year holiday drinks, wassail is also one of the oldest American holiday beverages. The mulled cider or wine beverage is served warm and often

by Staff

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Events

July 19, 2025

MaNiiTo II’NiNiiWak- (Creative Power People) Creative Sovereignty: The Power of Indigenous Artists Exhibit

Workhouse Arts Center

July 19, 2025

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Workhouse Arts Center

July 19, 2025

Shrek the Musical

All Saints Performing Arts Center (PAC)

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Around the world, as both a beverage and a pastime, tea is steeped in history and ritual. From the casual to the ceremonial, tea is a throughline for many cultures, and now, it’s enjoying a renewed interest from beverage pros who are drawn to tea’s unique flavor characteristics, health benefits, and cultural connections. Recently, two […]

by Stephanie Ganz

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

STAUNTON – Festival of Concerts June 26–Aug. 2: The stunning strums and resounding chords of classical music echo through Staunton’s mountain landscape as Heifetz International Music Institute students from around the world take the stage, with new concerts every day. HeifetzInstitute.org GLOUCESTER – Food Truck Frenzy July 13: Virginia’s most mouthwatering food trucks descend on […]

by Hope Cartwright

Top Summer Mountain Events in Virginia

Making the most of summer’s fleeting sweetness reaches new heights in a mountaintop setting. From the Blue Ridge to the Alleghenies, sun-soaked adventures unfold among soaring trees and peaks. Discover what Virginia’s ridges offer at mountain venues this summer. Chairlift Sunset Sessions, Roseland July 12 & Aug. 16 Take in sunset views of misty blue […]

by Hope Cartwright

History

Celebrating Jane Austen’s Birthday in Virginia

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Events

MaNiiTo II’NiNiiWak- (Creative Power People) Creative Sovereignty: The Power of Indigenous Artists Exhibit

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Shrek the Musical

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New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

Top Summer Mountain Events in Virginia

History

Celebrating Jane Austen’s Birthday in Virginia

Current Issue

Events

MaNiiTo II’NiNiiWak- (Creative Power People) Creative Sovereignty: The Power of Indigenous Artists Exhibit

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Shrek the Musical

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Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

Top Summer Mountain Events in Virginia

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weekly newsletter: VL Today

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