The Hallowes site, located along the banks of Currioman Bay to the northwest of here is one of the earliest European settlements in Westmoreland County. Due to the proximity of this site to local Indigenous communities who have occupied the land for thousands of years and its location along major travel routes, such as the Potomac River and overland trails, the site acted as a major place of interaction for the Indigenous people of the Northern Neck and the new European immigrants from the 1640s to the 1660s. Much of this interaction would have been driven by trade and archaeological excavations at the site in the 1960s revealed abundant evidence of the presence of the Indigenous people of the Northern Neck and their economy during the seventeenth century. Artifacts recovered from the site that suggest trade with Indigenous people in the area include pottery, bone tools, and tobacco pipes made by an Indigenous pipemaker near Nomini Bay.
In addition to these goods, one of the more significant trade items at the Hallowes site was venison. Analyses of the animal bones at the site indicated that the local Indigenous people were exchanging deer remains with the European inhabitants. Meaty deer parts were coming to the site to be eaten by the European inhabitants there and deer hides were being traded back to England to make a variety of popular products. While trade was a common and easily visible form of interaction between the Northern Neck’s Indigenous inhabitants and European immigrants, it served to facilitate much more culturally complex relationships that ranged from relatively peaceful and cooperative to violent and exploitative. Ironically, trading interactions between the Indigenous people of the region and Europeans would lead to the expansion of European settlement up the Northern Neck and the displacement and death of thousands of the area’s Indigenous inhabitants in just a few short decades. Despite these negative impacts on the area’s Indigenous inhabitants two contemporary communities of the descendants of these Indigenous peoples have persisted on the Northern Neck, the Rappahannock Tribe and the Patawomeck Tribe.
The Arts Center of Montross is a dynamic space that celebrates art and fosters creativity within the Northern Neck community. The center offers a range of opportunities for visitors to engage with artists, attend workshops, and explore art exhibitions. Visitors can enjoy meeting local artists working in various mediums such as painting, jewelry, and fiber arts, as well as participate in social and educational activities centered around art.
Opened in 2022, the Arts Center has quickly become a hub for artistic expression and learning. It provides a platform for both local and nationally recognized artists to showcase their work. The center also offers a variety of classes and workshops, making it a place where people can grow their artistic skills, whether they are beginners or seasoned artists.
To learn more about the center’s mission, exhibitions, and upcoming events, visit The Arts Center of Montross.
The Historic Courthouse now serves as a visitor center for Westmoreland County and has rotating exhibits on Westmoreland County history. This building also houses the Henry Hungerford Library and Genealogical Research Center. There is also a small gift shop that sells local history books and local postcards and souvenirs and the newest addition is the African American Military Service Exhibit.
This exhibit commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and honors the sacrifice of the many brave men and women of color, enslaved and free, who helped the country defy British colonial rule and thrive to become the modern world’s greatest power.
Throughout history, these patriots have served valiantly in all branches of the military, on both foreign and domestic soil, to ensure our independence, our freedom, and the principles of democracy.
Shiloh Baptist Church, located in Montross, Virginia, is a historic landmark that has long been a focal point for African American history in the Northern Neck. The church played a crucial role in the community, providing spiritual guidance and a sense of unity during a time of segregation and social upheaval. It also became a significant gathering place for African American residents, fostering cultural traditions, community support, and activism.
The church is particularly notable for its association with William Wesley “Uncle Wes” Payne, whose grave site is located there. Uncle Wes was an influential African American figure in the region, and his legacy as a community leader continues to inspire residents and visitors alike. His contributions are celebrated through this sacred space, which stands as a tribute to his work and the broader African American experience in the area.
Shiloh Baptist Church remains a symbol of perseverance and faith, representing the strength of African American communities throughout the region. It serves not only as a place of worship but also as a historical marker that connects visitors to the deeper narrative of racial and social justice in the Northern Neck. For more on the church’s significance and Uncle Wes’s legacy, click here.
The Uncle Wes Cabin at Stratford Hall is a heartfelt tribute to William Wesley “Uncle Wes” Payne, an influential African American figure in Westmoreland County. The cabin, built in his honor, showcases his legacy as a symbol of perseverance, culture, and community. Uncle Wes’s life and work, intertwined with the African American experience in the region, are commemorated through this site, which holds historical significance in honoring the contributions of Black individuals in the Northern Neck.
To learn more about the Uncle Wes Cabin and its historical importance, visit the full article here.
The A.T. Johnson School in Montross, Virginia, was a vital educational institution for African American students during segregation. Opened in 1926, it provided education to the Black community in Westmoreland County, offering a high-quality curriculum and fostering a sense of pride and achievement. The school was named after Dr. A.T. Johnson, an influential local African American leader and educator, and it played a key role in advancing educational opportunities for Black children in the region.
Today, the A.T. Johnson School stands as a monument to the resilience and determination of African American families during a time of systemic inequality. It has since been preserved as a historical site, where visitors can reflect on the contributions of educators like Dr. Johnson, whose dedication to education helped shape the lives of generations in the Northern Neck.