When the Germanna Foundation bought the 270 acres in 1956, it was hoped that it would contain the site of Fort Germanna. The 270 acres were located on the south side of State Route 3, beginning where the road crosses the Rapidan River, and extending eastward for about one and a half miles. As time went by, the hopes to be the owner of the Fort Germanna site faded. About ten years ago, Dr. Douglas Sanford and his crew of archaeology students discovered what looks like conclusive evidence that the Fort was on the north side of Route 3. More exactly, Lt. Gov. Spotswood built his home on the site of the Fort. Of course, he tore down the Fort first though apparently the houses of the Germans were left standing for several years. It still remains to excavate the grounds more completely and to define the actual position of the fort. It is a reasonable expectation that the fort could be partially reconstructed, and perhaps the location of the blockhouse and the homes could be determined also. A very educational display could be the result. The Foundation does not own this site though.
The Germanna Foundation did find a good use for a part of their land. They donated approximately 100 acres to the state of Virginia as a building site for Germanna Community College. This has been mutually beneficial, as the college facilities have provided a meeting space for the Foundation. Unfortunately, the space is not really ample for the needs of the Foundation.
On a portion of the land still owned by the Foundation, they have erected a Visitor's Center, which appears destined to become the center of the Foundation's activities. For the present, it will not provide the meeting space for a large group. A recent addition to the real estate holdings of the Foundation is Salubria. The land that the Foundation owns is its biggest asset. I know of no reason that parts of it could not be sold. On the north side of Route 3 in this area there are upscale homes and something similar could be done on the lands of the Foundation.
In its charter, the purposes of the Foundation are said to be threefold:
To preserve and make known the history of the several Germanna Colonies, their operations under the patronage of Alexander Spotswood, his residence and activities at Germanna, and in the surrounding area.
To purchase, hold, and improve real estate; to publish bulletins and other printed matter relating to the field of interest, and of a character to preserve and disseminate information for the general public, and to do any and all other acts which are necessary and proper to accomplish these purposes.
To establish an endowment fund, or funds, for the acquisition, restoration, perpetuation, and maintenance of any real estate acquired by the corporation for its operating purposes.
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.