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 Knights of the Golden Horseshoe

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 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

Knights Of The Golden Horseshoe Expedition on TV

November 21, 2016 By Germanna Foundation

The Germanna Foundation had a wonderful time with the producers and hosts of “Best of America by Horseback” at our Visitor Center and at the top of the Blue Ridge in Shenandoah National Park. Hosted by Tom Seay and Kristen Biscoe (both descendants of Germanna colonists Michael Holt and Anna Scheible), “Best of America by Horseback “has […]

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

Photos from Living History Encampment

September 29, 2016 By Germanna Foundation

You can see photos of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe 300th anniversary living history encampment at Germanna on our NEW photo gallery site (also found under Resources on the menu). For more information about this event, see our previous blog post.    

Filed Under: Germanna Blog, Knights of the Golden Horseshoe, Photos

Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Living History Encampment – Sept 17-18

August 25, 2016 By Germanna Foundation

Living History Encampment Celebrating the 300th Anniversary of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition at Germanna 17 and 18 September, 10am to 4pm

The Germanna Foundation Board of Trustees hosted a living history colonial encampment open to the public at no charge at their Brawdus Martin Visitor Center grounds on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 10 am to 4 pm each day. This event celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe […]

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

Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition Ride Reenactment

August 23, 2016 By Germanna Foundation

(Dale Duvall/Culpeper Times) Virginia Colonial history will be re-visited as horseback riders from across the United States gather to re-enact Colonial Governor Alexander Spotswood’s Transmontaine Expedition up and over the then imposing Blue Ridge Mountains.  It was 300 years ago that this expedition paved the way and began the never ending westward expansion of America. Starting […]

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

Editorial: Unearthing stories of Germanna’s past

May 20, 2016 By Germanna Foundation

Thousands of people pass the place every week, yet far too few know of its international significance. Some remarkable moments in American history happened at the Germanna historic site, on State Route 3 in Orange County. Some of those stories are told, briefly, by exhibits in the Germanna Foundation’s Brawdus Martin Visitor Center where the […]

Filed Under: Announcements, Articles, Fort Germanna, Germanna Blog, History, In the News, Knights of the Golden Horseshoe, People, Reunion

Germanna Reunion Registration is Open!

April 15, 2016 By Germanna Foundation

Germanna reunion

Plan your Own Expedition of Discovery to the Germanna Reunion and Conference July 14-17.  Join with Germanna descendants and others from around the country, even the world.  Celebrate the 300th anniversary of Alexander Spotswood’s Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition at the Germanna Reunion and Conference.  Click here for details, including the schedule of events, pricing, […]

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

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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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