Historic Germanna

Historic Germanna connects communities with Virginia’s past and present through its historic, natural, and cultural resources.

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You are here: Home / Archives for History

WATCH: Evening With Germanna: Spotswood’s “Knights of the Golden Horseshoe” Expedition in 1716

September 16, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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 […]

Filed Under: Events, Germanna Blog, History, Knights of the Golden Horseshoe

The Peter Hitt Farm: Uncovering Two Centuries of History on the Rappahannock River

August 16, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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 […]

Filed Under: Conservation, Germanna Blog, History, Video

The Peopling of Germanna and Beyond

July 23, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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 […]

Filed Under: Fort Germanna, Genealogy, Germanna Blog, Germany, History, Knights of the Golden Horseshoe, Video

Germanna America in Embryo

July 23, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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 […]

Filed Under: Fort Germanna, Germanna Blog, History, Knights of the Golden Horseshoe

Explorers, Indians, Refugees, and Settlers—The Road to Germanna 1650-1714

July 23, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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. […]

Filed Under: Fort Germanna, Germanna Blog, History, Knights of the Golden Horseshoe, Reunion, Video

18th Century Timepieces with Dennis Loba

July 23, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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 […]

Filed Under: Germanna Blog, History, Video

Remembering D-Day

June 5, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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 […]

Filed Under: Germanna Blog, History, In Memorium, People

18th Century Tavern Stemware

March 2, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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.

Filed Under: 5 Minutes with Germanna, Germanna Blog, History, Video

Taverns in the Time of 18th century Germanna

January 27, 2021 By Germanna Foundation

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 […]

Filed Under: 5 Minutes with Germanna, Germanna Blog, History

LtGov Alexander Spotswood reads 1720 proclamation announcing the creation of Spotsylvania County

October 6, 2020 By Germanna Foundation

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 […]

Filed Under: Events, Germanna Blog, History

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The rich tapestry of Germanna’s history encompasses Indigenous peoples, English colonists, German immigrants and their descendants, and African and African American communities. Historic Germanna invites individuals to explore the diverse stories of the past through its places, research, and shared narratives, fostering engagement and inspiring a deeper understanding of our collective heritage.

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Hours:
Monday: By appointment
Tuesday-Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Trails open dawn to dusk

Germanna sits on 170 pristine acres along the Rapidan River in Orange County. Visitors are invited to enjoy the Siegen Forest Trail System that includes four trails totally nearly 5 miles. Learn more

Historic Germanna
MAILING: P.O. Box 279
LOCATION: 2062 Germanna Highway
Locust Grove, VA 22508-0279
Phone: 540-423-1700
Fax: 540-423-1747
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