Historical Significance Fincastle Sterrett purchased what is now known as the Washington House in 1817. Sterrett was enslaved by William King, a merchant, and was later purchased from his estate by a relative of King's, Charles Carson. Carson,…

Historical Significance The Tavern, the oldest of Abingdon's historic buildings and one of the oldest buildings west of the Blue Ridge, was built in 1779 as a tavern and overnight inn for stage coach travelers. From 1858 to 1965, the Tavern remained…

Historical Significance Petersburg's location on the Appomattox River at the fall line (head-of-navigation of U.S. East Coast rivers) caused the city to become a strategic place for transportation and commercial activities during the early growth of…

Historical Significance The Phoenix Bank of Nansemond was built in 1921 during a period when blacks began to open their own businesses in an attempt to provide their communities with the same types of goods and services available in white…

Historical Significance In 1920 Samuel D. Outlaw left his home in North Carolina and traveled to Hampton, Virginia, to attend Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, where he enrolled in a four-year course in blacksmithing. Two years after…

Historical Significance Between 1699 and 1775, at least half a dozen ships carrying slave cargoes docked in the bayside wharves of the Port of Accomack, the largest of which was in Onancock harbor. While ports along the James and York Rivers across…

Historical Significance Four glassworks operated in Alexandria at the turn of the century, and at least one, Old Dominion Glass Co., employed African-American men and women. The factory, large by Alexandria standards, operated from 1901-1925 on…

Historical Significance The Negro Day Nursery was established in 1938 by the Civic Club of Winchester as a nursery for working mothers with support from the United Fund. It continues as the Fremont Street Nursery. Cartwright's Funeral Home, then…