Patrick Henry's Red Hill
Built by Richard Marot Booker in the 1770s, Red Hill became the home of famed American and former Virginia governor Patrick Henry in 1794. The home was considered to be the best-situated in all of Virginia, excepting Washington's Mount Vernon. It seems, however, that Red Hill was as beloved by Henry as Mount Vernon was by Henry's friend Washington. Considered "one of the garden spots of the world" by Henry and his contemporaries, it is still recognized as one of Virginia's most lovely plantations, with some of the best views and situations.
Despite its small size, between nine and eleven family members lived here while Henry was alive.
Later, his son added on to the home, until it had the appearance you see here. Of course, it burned to the ground in early 1919, not to be rebuilt until a private donation in the 1950s.
We really did enjoy our visit to Red Hill. Beautiful, quiet, surrounded by nature...It is quite a change from the more visited places like Mount Vernon and Monticello (though all of these homes should be visited if you have the opportunity!). Red Hill is still in "the country", with a winery nearby and working farms all around.
It's also inexpensive; only $6 for adults, and well worth the admission. Tours are self-guided, thanks to some very informative papers you'll be given at the visitor's center (where, more likely than not, some sweet almost-elderly Southern lady will chat your ear off about Patrick Henry, Red Hill, local eateries, and so forth). The visitor's center has a small but fine museum with Henry artifacts, letters from Henry's hand, his fiddle (*squeeeee!*), and a fantastically huge painting of Henry's "If this be treason, make the most of it!" 1765 speech against the Stamp Act by Peter Rothermel (third one down here). It's quite an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, and of course your six bucks (and profits from any purchases made at the gift shop, where, yes, we found some goodies) go to a great cause. More than that, though, it is quite a thrill to spend time at the place beloved by one of America's best orators and finest patriots.
Patrick Henry's Red Hill
Built by Richard Marot Booker in the 1770s, Red Hill became the home of famed American and former Virginia governor Patrick Henry in 1794. The home was considered to be the best-situated in all of Virginia, excepting Washington's Mount Vernon. It seems, however, that Red Hill was as beloved by Henry as Mount Vernon was by Henry's friend Washington. Considered "one of the garden spots of the world" by Henry and his contemporaries, it is still recognized as one of Virginia's most lovely plantations, with some of the best views and situations.
Despite its small size, between nine and eleven family members lived here while Henry was alive.
Later, his son added on to the home, until it had the appearance you see here. Of course, it burned to the ground in early 1919, not to be rebuilt until a private donation in the 1950s.
We really did enjoy our visit to Red Hill. Beautiful, quiet, surrounded by nature...It is quite a change from the more visited places like Mount Vernon and Monticello (though all of these homes should be visited if you have the opportunity!). Red Hill is still in "the country", with a winery nearby and working farms all around.
It's also inexpensive; only $6 for adults, and well worth the admission. Tours are self-guided, thanks to some very informative papers you'll be given at the visitor's center (where, more likely than not, some sweet almost-elderly Southern lady will chat your ear off about Patrick Henry, Red Hill, local eateries, and so forth). The visitor's center has a small but fine museum with Henry artifacts, letters from Henry's hand, his fiddle (*squeeeee!*), and a fantastically huge painting of Henry's "If this be treason, make the most of it!" 1765 speech against the Stamp Act by Peter Rothermel (third one down here). It's quite an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, and of course your six bucks (and profits from any purchases made at the gift shop, where, yes, we found some goodies) go to a great cause. More than that, though, it is quite a thrill to spend time at the place beloved by one of America's best orators and finest patriots.