It's actually the Nelson County Historical Society but the address is correct. Small museum with an…read moreinteresting display about Hurricane Camille that came through in 1969.

This roadside marker points out the birthplace of a local hero…read more The marker reads, "Two miles east, at Oak Ridge, was born William Cabell Rives, May 4, 1792. He was minister to France, 1829-32 and 1849-53; United States Senator, 1832-45; member of the Peace convention of 1861 and of the Confederate Congress. He died, April 25, 1868. Later, Oak Ridge was owned by Thomas Fortune Ryan." Online, there is more information. William Cabell Rives was an American lawyer, planter, politician and diplomat from Virginia. Initially a Jackson Democrat as well as member of the First Families of Virginia, Rives served in the Virginia House of Delegates representing first Nelson County, then Albemarle County, Virginia, before service in both the U.S. House and Senate (his final term as a Whig). Rives also served two separate terms as U.S. Minister to France. During the Andrew Jackson administration, Rives negotiated a treaty whereby the French agreed to pay the U.S. for spoliation claims from the Napoleonic Wars. During the American Civil War, Rives became a Delegate to the Provisional Confederate Congress and the Confederate House of Representatives. In 1860, Rives endorsed the call for a Constitutional Union Party Convention. He received most of Virginia's first ballot votes for President. Rives then became one of Virginia's unofficial delegates to the February 1861 Peace Conference in Washington, which sought to prevent the American Civil War by preserving slavery. Although Rives spoke out against secession, he was loyal to Virginia when it seceded. He served in the Provisional Confederate Congress from 1861 to 1862 and the Second Confederate Congress from 1864 to 1865. [Review 15230 overall, 732 of 2021, number 1330 in Virginia.]

This marker stands on US-29 about a half hour from both Lynchburg and Charlottesville. It is almost…read morea billboard for the nearby property which functions as an event space at https://www.oakridgeestate.com/. The marker reads, "About two miles east is Oak Ridge, a 4,800-acre estate first patented in the 1730s. Robert Rives (1764-1845), a tobacco planter and international trader, built his house there in 1802. In 1867, William Porcher Miles (1822-1899), a former Confederate congressman, acquired the plantation. Nelson County native and Wall Street financier Thomas Fortune Ryan (1851-1928) purchased Oak Ridge in 1901 and transformed it into a country estate. He remodeled Rives's Federal farmhouse into a Colonial Revival mansion and built some 80 structures, including schools, a telephone company building, a movie theater, and stables for Ryan's 200 Thoroughbreds. A Crystal Palace-style greenhouse, a racetrack, and a private railroad station are among 50 surviving structures." I did not have time today to see the property. Perhaps in the future. [Review 15197 overall, 699 of 2021, number 1329 in Virginia.]

I loved everything about this property. The host sent instructions the day before which were easy…read moreto understand and helped us once we got there to get the key and get everything situated. We stepped in the cabin and it is beautiful. The interior is rustic and it fits so well. The host left information about the area and pamphlets for things to do and see in the area which is a very nice touch too for someone who has never stayed in the area like myself. The kitchen is stocked with things you would need to cook, make tea and coffee which is very cool but bring things to cook (meats and such). There are restaurants about 20 minutes away but if you are looking for the retreat and just wanting to stay at the cabin there is also a firepit and grill out back available. It was awesome to sit in the fire pit area and just listen to the nature in the area.

The Orchard House run by Sarah and Caleb did a great job of making us feel welcome. The house is…read morevery cute, and our room, The Blue Ridge Retreat was very cozy, sunlit with a nice newer bathroom. We slept very well on our king sized bed with down blankets and big pillows. Our room was clean and neatly kept. The house is also very quiet at night. We didn't hear anybody in our neighboring rooms and they were fully booked. They have very nice music they play in the main rooms downstairs during the day. The music gave a relaxing atmosphere to read or talk. Breakfast is absolutely delicious! We truly enjoyed our french toast with eggs and sausage, pears with cream, turkey sausage and egg casserole, greek yogurt with honey and berries. Sarah is a very good chef and hostess! We also chose to eat dinner at the B and B after a day of winery touring. We had a delicious salad, grilled chicken and pesto pasta with a glass of white or red wine and a yummy pudding dessert! We also met a very nice couple at breakfast which we hope to have dinner with soon! The B and B is quiet and friendly. It is also located near many different wineries in the area. We are not usually B and B people and I would definitely return here! I felt we had plenty of privacy, but it is also a small enough place to chat with people at breakfast or maybe outside by the fire pit. Read less

We just discovered The Orchard House Bed & Breakfast in Lovingston, Virginia--only about 3 1/2…read morehours from Raleigh, NC--and it's the perfect getaway. The husband-and-wife owners, along with their four wonderful boys, are building such a special place here. The property is absolutely stunning: an amazing barn that's ready to host weddings, a sparkling pond with a fountain and gazebo, a vineyard right on-site, a beautiful swimming pool, a cozy fire pit, and breathtaking mountain views in every direction. There's so much to do--wineries, breweries, and incredible restaurants are just 15 to 20 minutes away in any direction, along with antique shops to explore. Or you can stay put and relax: enjoy a private breakfast on the front porch, book an in-room massage, or have a romantic dinner under the old oak tree in the backyard. And the breakfast? Out of this world. The wife is an incredible cook--you'll wake up to something better than you could imagine every morning. Whether you're looking for a quiet escape, planning a wedding, or just want to enjoy Virginia wine country, The Orchard House B&B is absolute perfection. Highly recommend!

While in the greater area, i was looking for new wineries with mead and saw Rebec and decided to…read morecheck it out. Driving in is a little strange, but do not let the exterior dissuade you. My husband and I shared a tasting of their entire menu, along with their mead and fruit wines. So literally tried everything. The mead was fantastic, and I liked how different some of the wines were - like the Sweet Sofia, an herb infused wine that tasted like Thanksgiving dinner. The price to try all 16 wines with pretty generous pours - $16. You cannot beat that price in the area. Check it out!

Wow this is a hidden little historic gem. Don't let the exterior fool you. Not pretentious at all…read morebut stellar wines. Honestly, Emily is the biggest gem, she was a phenomenal host exuding love and kindness. There are some very unique wines to try here and some awesome hosting wines. I am not a sweet wine person but I loved all of their sweet wine selections for hosting. They were not overly sweet and each had their own unique and dynamic flavors. Svet's Sweet Sofia was so unique and offers a herby Bulgarian recipe. Do the wine tasting because their wines will surprise you. Highly recommend you stopping by! As a side note they have both an annual Labor Day Festival and a Garlic Festival which is in October.

this is the most amazing place you can go to!!!! it was the most unique , crazy , fun , exciting ,…read morescary exhilarating place you can go to! to way , more thrilling than going on any roller coaster! you never know what to expect from the plastic huge sculptures, to the incredible shows , old towny look and scares and so much more! we're from new york and stop by on a road trip.when the park was closed. the owner and creator not only led us in to check it out and do whatever we want by ourselves , but even explain to us how we made it , i was so friendly and so accommodating , and this was all for free!!!! this made my eight hour trip worth it , and i would turn around just after seeing this without even finishing the rest of the road trip. i really came for tennessee, which is supposed to be so fun and cool things.but i think this is the coolest thing you can ever do! if you want accelerating things that you will never get anywhere else with a very nice owner and really cool interactive shows for a very , very cheap price , you should come here!!! definitely recommending to everyone! ( a little spooky maybe for little kids) but teens and adults will definitely get a real kick out of it!!! thank you for everything!!! this really really made my trip worth it! even\n though it's like an 8 hour drive at least i would definitely come back here.

Our 2 year old had a fantastic time and was nothing but smiles and giggles. If you have young ones…read moreI would recommend stopping by!

My 12/9 year old boys and I went on a 2 day canoe trip down the James River with Twin River…read moreOutfitters in early Aug and it was awesome. We elected the glamping option to lighten our pack load and the site was extraordinary. Highly recommend this very professional company who delivered on everything they promised.

Found this place on a drive by while camping up in Natural Bridge. Did the tubing and it was a…read moregreat experience. As others have mentioned, wear shoes as the rocks are slick. Went 2 days after storms rolled through so the water wasn't clear, but the pace was great. Staff very receptive and stored keys for free so they don't get lost in the river. Will be back