Discover 10 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Orange (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: James Madison's Montpelier, James Madison Museum, and St. Thomas Church. Also, be sure to include Orange County Courthouse in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Orange (Virginia).
Table of Contents
James Madison's Montpelier
Historical landmark in Montpelier Station, Virginia. James Madison's Montpelier, located in Orange County, Virginia, was the plantation house of the Madison family, including fourth president of the United States, James Madison, and his wife Dolley. The 2,650-acre property is open seven days a week with the mission of engaging the public with the enduring legacy of Madison's most powerful idea: government by the people.
Montpelier was declared a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It was included in the Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District in 1991. In 1983, the last private owner of Montpelier, Marion duPont Scott, bequeathed the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) has owned and operated the estate since 1984. In 2000, The Montpelier Foundation formed with the goal of transforming James Madison's historic estate into a dynamic cultural institution. From 2003–2008 the NTHP carried out a major restoration, in part to return the mansion to its original size of 22 rooms as it was during the years when it was occupied by James and Dolley Madison. Extensive interior and exterior work was done during the restoration.
Archeological investigations in the 21st century revealed new information about African-American life at the plantation, and a gift from philanthropist David Rubenstein enabled the National Trust to restore the slave quarters in the South Yard and open a slavery exhibition, The Mere Distinction of Colour, in 2017. In June 2021, the Montpelier Foundation approved bylaws to share in governance of the estate with the Montpelier Descendants Committee, composed of descendants of those enslaved at the estate, then in 2022, the board voted to remove the Montpelier Descendants Committee's right to name future board members.[1]
Address: 11407 Constitution Hwy, Orange
James Madison Museum
Museum in Orange, Virginia. The James Madison Museum located in Orange, Virginia is a museum dedicated to 4th president of the United States James Madison and his wife, Dolley Madison. Exhibits include original furniture used by James Madison, his personal items, portraits of the Madisons, and a statue.
Due to Madison's reputation as a farmer, the museum also features a collection of antique farm tools. There is also a partially reconstructed 1733 house to demonstrate building practices.[2]
Address: 129 Caroline St, 22960-1532 Orange
St. Thomas Church
Episcopal church in Orange, Virginia. St. Thomas Church is a historic Episcopal church located at Orange, Virginia, United States. It is a rectangular brick structure measuring 40 feet wide and 105 feet deep. The front facade features a recessed portico with two Doric columns flanked by two Doric pilasters. Atop the gable roof is a three-stage tower topped by an octagonal cupola. The original church building was built in 1833–1834, and measured approximately 40 feet wide and 65 feet deep. It was built by William B. Philips, a master mason employed by Thomas Jefferson during the construction of the University of Virginia. It was enlarged and improved in 1853, and enlarged again in 1912. In 1928, the rear addition was raised to a full two stories and a parish hall constructed. The original church is believed to have been based on the plans by Thomas Jefferson for Christ Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. That church was demolished in 1895.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It is located in the Orange Commercial Historic District.[3]
Address: 119 Caroline St, 22960-1532 Orange
Orange County Courthouse
Courthouse. Orange County Courthouse is a historic courthouse complex located at Orange, Orange County, Virginia. It was built in 1858–1859, and is a 1 1/2-story, Italian Villa style brick structure. The front facade features a three-part arcade consisting of a semi-elliptical arch flanked by small semicircular arches. Above the arcade is a three-stage tower consisting of the main entrance as the first stage; a clock, installed within existing round windows in 1949, as the second stage; and arched openings with louvres covered by a shallow hip roof and topped by a finial complete the tower. Associated with the courthouse are the contributing clerk's office and jail.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It is located in the Orange Commercial Historic District.[4]
Ballard-Marshall House
Ballard–Marshall House, also known as Marshall House, is a historic home located at Orange, Orange County, Virginia. It was built in 1832, and is a two-story, three bay, brick late Federal Virginia townhouse dwelling. It is an example of an urban house form influenced by the Jeffersonian Classical style. A two-story rear addition was added about 1900, and the original front and side porches were replaced with ones in the Colonial Revival style in 1910. The house was converted to apartments in 1934–1935, and renovated in 1986–1988.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.[5]
Chestnut Hill
Home. Chestnut Hill is a historic home located at Orange, Orange County, Virginia. It was built about 1860, and is a two-story, frame dwelling in a combination of the Italianate and Greek Revival styles. A Second Empire style mansard roof was added in 1891. The front facade features a central, one-story, one-bay porch with a balustraded deck above and balustraded decks with the same scroll-sawn balusters across the front. The historic floor plan is a double-pile center-passage plan with two interior chimneys serving four fireplaces on each floor. The house was moved to a new location, 150 feet away from its original site, when threatened with demolition in 2003. Also on the property is a small, one-story, single-bay, 19th-century contributing shed.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.[6]
Rebel Hall
Historical place in Orange, Virginia. Rebel Hall is a historic plantation house located at Orange, Orange County, Virginia. It was built in 1848–1849, and is a two-story, three bay, Greek Revival style brick dwelling. It sits on a raised brick basement and has a shallow-pitched, standing-seam metal roof. A rear wing was added about 1900.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.[7]
Berry Hill
Berry Hill is a historic home located near Orange, Orange County, Virginia. It was built in 1827, and is a 2+1⁄2-story, brick dwelling with a standing-seam metal gable roof. It consists of an arcaded pavilion in the main section with a west wing. It was built by William B. Philips a master mason employed by Thomas Jefferson during the construction of the University of Virginia.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[8]
Mayhurst
Mansion. Mayhurst is an 1859 Italianate mansion in Orange, Virginia. It was built by the Willis family relatives of President James Madison as the plantation house for an estate comprising 2,500 acres of fields, pastures and forest. It was a scene of action in the Civil War. It is currently operated as an Inn.[9]
Orange Commercial Historic District
Orange Commercial Historic District is a national historic district located at Orange, Orange County, Virginia. One of Virginia's Main Street communities, it encompasses 61 contributing buildings in the central business district of Orange's county seat.[10]