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 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. […]
Knights Of The Golden Horseshoe Expedition on TV
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 […]
Photos from Living History Encampment
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.
Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Living History Encampment – Sept 17-18
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 […]
Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition Ride Reenactment
(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 […]
Editorial: Unearthing stories of Germanna’s past
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 […]
Germanna Reunion Registration is Open!
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, […]
