Uncover the hidden stories of Virginia’s Northern Neck. Use the map below to plan your tour and explore the rich heritage that shaped this National Heritage Area.
Sort by County
Lancaster County
Northumberland County
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James Lindsey Smith — The Journey Toward Freedom
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First Baptist – Howland Chapel School
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Haynie Farm
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Rev. Paymus Nutt – Enslaved Founder of Four Churches
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Holley Graded School – Caroline Putman Grave Site
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Dr. Jaehn Charlton’s House – Doctor and Inventor
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Julius Rosenwald School
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Coan Hall – Elizabeth Key (AR)
Sites
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This Historic Highway Marker reads: “About 2,400 enslaved African Americans in Virginia escaped to the British during the War of 1812, encouraged in part by a proclamation issued on 2…
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The A.T. Johnson School, located at 18849 Kings Hwy, Montross, VA, is a vital historical site, serving as a testament to the African American community’s fight for educational equity. It…
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Located at Kamp Mills Rd, Rt#3, Lancaster, VA, this historical marker recognizes Armistead Nickens, a key figure in African American history in Lancaster County, linking the community to the broader…
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The Belmont Canning Factory played a pivotal role in the local economy, representing the industrial history of Richmond County. It’s also an important site for understanding the work of African…
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Christ Church in Lancaster County is home to the grave of Robert King Carter III, a prominent figure in Virginia’s colonial history, and offers insights into the complex history of…
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Churchill Beach was an iconic location on the Chitlin Circuit, where famous Black artists performed in the 50s and 60s, providing cultural significance for African American music and entertainment in…
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Coan Hall is linked to Elizabeth Key, a pivotal figure in Northumberland County’s history. Elizabeth was one of the first individuals of mixed race to challenge slavery, and her legacy…
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The COMPASS Entertainment Complex is a Black-owned business in Lancaster County that serves as a hub for entertainment and community engagement.
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This launch site is historically significant as it was once a major location for interaction between Indigenous peoples and European settlers during the 1640s to the 1660s, highlighting the early…
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The Dahlgren Heritage Museum at 3540 James Madison Pkwy, King George, VA, tells the story of the area’s naval and military history, including the contributions of Ira and Gladys West.…
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This trail, located along King George Rail Trail, offers visitors a chance to walk through history. It highlights the importance of railroads in the region’s development and their role in…
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Dr. Jaehn Charlton was a pioneering African American physician and inventor in Northumberland County. His contributions to both medicine and technology have made a lasting impact on the community.
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Dr. Morgan E. Norris, the first Black physician in the Northern Neck, is honored with a road marker in Lancaster County. His groundbreaking work in medicine has left a lasting…
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The Howland Chapel School, built in 1867 near Heathsville, Virginia, served as a Reconstruction-era school for African-American children, funded by philanthropist Emily Howland, and now functions as a museum, community…
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Fones Cliff is home to significant highway markers commemorating the historical importance of the area. The site highlights the interactions between Native Americans and European settlers and plays an essential…
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Haynie Farms, led by fifth-generation farmer P.J. Haynie, is a major grain producer in Virginia’s Northern Neck and a beacon for Black farmer advocacy. Through his work with the National…
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Located at 15803 Kings Hwy, Montross, VA, the historic courthouse is a key site for recognizing the contributions of African American servicemen from the Revolutionary War to the present, celebrating…
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The Holley Graded School is historically significant as one of the first schools dedicated to African American education in Northumberland County. The grave site of Caroline Putman, an abolitionist and…
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The Julius Rosenwald School in Northumberland County is an important site, reflecting the efforts of the Rosenwald Fund to provide educational opportunities for African American children during segregation.
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This trail recognizes the rich Native American history of King George County, exploring the interactions between Indigenous peoples and European settlers. Visitors can learn about the tribes that originally inhabited…
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Menokin, located in Richmond County, is an iconic plantation home that now serves as a museum showcasing the complex history of slavery and the plantation economy in Virginia. It also…
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Located at 10139 James Madison Hwy, King George, VA, Ralph Bunche School is a significant historical landmark, named after the Nobel Peace Prize-winning diplomat. It was the site of African…
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This marker commemorates the land of the Rappahannock Tribe, offering insight into the tribe’s history, culture, and the impact of colonization on their people.
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Rev. Paymus Nutt, an enslaved founder of four churches, is honored with a highway marker. His work in founding Black churches in the region is an important part of Northumberland…
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The grave of Uncle Wes, located at Shiloh Baptist Church on Stratford Hall Rd, Montross, VA, marks the resting place of an important figure in local African American history.
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Steamboat Museum – Capt. Bayton This museum is dedicated to Capt. Bayton, a significant figure in the steamboat era in Lancaster, showcasing the importance of river transportation in the region’s…
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Stratford Hall, at 483 Great House Rd, Stratford, VA, is home to the Uncle Wes Cabin, which holds the story of African American contributions during the plantation era. It’s a…
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Situated at 14961 Kings Hwy, Montross, VA, The Art Center showcases the talents and contributions of Black artists in the Northern Neck. This venue offers an important platform for African…
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The Brown House in Richmond County is an important landmark, serving as a historical site linked to African American history and the community’s development in the region.
