Over 300 years ago in September 1716, Virginia’s Lt. Governor Alexander Spotswood organized a famous trek over the Blue Ridge mountains that came to be known as the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe expedition. The trek began and ended at the colonial frontier fort that Spotswood established in 1714: Fort Germanna, where a colony of […]
The Peter Hitt Farm: Uncovering Two Centuries of History on the Rappahannock River
Gifted to the Germanna Foundation between 2007 and 2017, the Peter Hitt Farm is an architectural and archaeological gem that provides a rare glimpse into two centuries of life in western Fauquier on the Rappahannock River. Peter Hitt, its builder, was a grandson of the 1714 Germanna immigrant of the same name. The presentation by […]
The Peopling of Germanna and Beyond
People have come to Germanna for many reasons. Initially, they came because it was a convenient ford across the Rapidan River, and more recently to connect with the distant past, perhaps where their families fished and farmed, explored, or battled. These people have deep roots far from Germanna, whether they crossed the Bering Straits or […]
Germanna America in Embryo
This 50-minute documentary (originally on DVD) about the story of Germanna was recently uploaded to YouTube by the producer, Phil Audibert of AHHA Productions. Enjoy! In 1714, under the direction of Lt. Governor Alexander Spotswood, 12 German families established a settlement on the Rapidan River in present day Orange County, Virginia. At the time it […]
Explorers, Indians, Refugees, and Settlers—The Road to Germanna 1650-1714
Dennis Loba references primary sources to paint a picture of the history before Germanna and the forces that influenced Lt. Governor Spotswood to explore and settle the Germanna peninsula and its surrounding area. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dennis Loba is known to Germanna Foundation mainly for his portrayals of Alexander Spotswood and the Rev. John Thompson. […]
18th Century Timepieces with Dennis Loba
Historian and historical re-enactor Dennis Loba explores the various timepieces of the eighteenth century. Dennis explains where timepieces were coming from, shows examples from his collection and answers questions. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dennis Loba is known to Germanna Foundation mainly for his portrayals of Alexander Spotswood and the Rev. John Thompson. He is a history […]
Remembering D-Day
On June 6, Americans think of the greatest beaches in the world: Omaha, Utah, Juno, Gold, and Sword. On that day so many years ago, Americans and their allies hit the beaches to liberate a continent from the evil of National Socialism. We did more than liberate the continent. America represented what was good and […]
18th Century Tavern Stemware
Sylvester Bishop*, proprietor of the Spotswood Arms tavern in the Germanna area gives discusses and shows the different type of glass stemware of the 18th century. *Actually historian and living history re-enactor Dennis Loba, who is well-known among the Germanna family portraying Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood and Rev. John Thompson of Salubria.
Taverns in the Time of 18th century Germanna
Sylvester Bishop*, proprietor of the Spotswood Arms tavern in the Germanna area gives an introduction to 18th century taverns, their purpose and what you might find in them. This is the first of a series on taverns that will run once a month into April. *Actually historian and living history re-enactor Dennis Loba, who is […]
LtGov Alexander Spotswood reads 1720 proclamation announcing the creation of Spotsylvania County
On Saturday, October 3 in Locust Grove, Virginia, the Germanna Foundation held a Fort Germanna archaeology Public Access Day event which also served as the kick off event to the 300th anniversary of Spotsylvania County celebrations which will last to 2021. Historian and Historical Re-enactor Dennis Loba portrayed Virginia Lt. Governor Alexander Spotswood reading the […]
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