To view the itinerary for the 2010 First Colony Tour, click here. SOLD OUT
To view the itinerary for the 2010 Second Colony Tour, click here. SOLD OUT
Every year the tours are different and to read the report and see photos of the 2009 Second Colony Tour click here.
Departure for each tour will be from the parking lot of the Best Western Hotel in Culpeper. For a map to the location of the Best Western Hotel, click here.
July 16 - Rapidan Canoe Adventure
Can't make the bus tours? No problem. You have options. The second annual Germanna Canoe Adventure will allow you to move along the Rapidan River (power provided by your own rowing efforts!) while soaking up the pristine views of this waterway which has served the area for centuries. Last year's outing was rated as a "total blast" and this year's outing will benefit from the experiences of last year. This year Virginia Outdoor Center will be the outfitter with Board Member Steven Fishback as our fearless leader though even he can't guarantee that you won't get a little wet.
Note: this is not a passive ride, one must be able to physically paddle the canoe - and the effort is rewarding. Two persons per canoe. A box lunch by Honey Baked Ham will be provided for participants.
Throughout history -- even over the last century -- the canoe has evolved from those made of logs to modern canoes, made of aluminum and fiberglass. The Seminoles in Florida and the Choctaws in the Gulf of Mexico traveled in dugouts -- which were carved out tree trunks. West of the Rocky Mountains, Native Americans used skin boats. A close relative of the modern canoe, the birch back canoe, was used by Native Americans, explorers, missionaries and trappers. Since it could haul huge lots of cargo while handle all sorts of conditions such as quiet waters, open lakes, quickly-moving rivers and coastal waters, it was perfect to navigate North American waterways. To read more on canoes, click here
To read about last year's Germanna Canoe Adventure and see some of the photos of that experience, click here.
Departure will be from the Visitor Center. For a map to the location of the Visitor Center, click here.
July 16 - BBQ at the Visitor Center
After the bus tours and the canoe adventure you will be able to enjoy the camaraderie of an old-fashioned BBQ on the grounds of the Germanna Visitor Center. Check out this beautiful gem of Germanna while catching up with old friends and making new ones. Good food, good drink and good times for all. This year's BBQ is being catered by Rodney Lillard of Madison County's Mill Valley Barbecue and the word is that we are in for some really good eatin' this year.
An exciting element to the 2010 BBQ will be the dedication of the new garden structure and memorials. This beautiful addition to the garden area of the Visitor Center will feature a wood-frame structure with a gabled roof topped
with a cupola designed to resemble the five-sided cupola on the Visitor Center. The semi-circular colonnade and will have walkways that lead south to the wooded trails and north around both sides of the Visitor Center to the parking lots. Reflect and meditate while sitting in the shade and viewing the garden area. You definitely will savor this opportunity.
This is an informal event where attendees can sip a glass of wine, or other libation of your choice, while conversing with friends old and new. Take the opportunity to explore the Hitt Hiking Trails on the Visitor Center property, walk down to the Rapidan River, and enjoy the fascinating exhibits in the Visitor Center building. Plan on relaxing, eating, drinking and just enjoying the time.
For a map to the location of the Visitor Center, click here.
July 17 - Saturday morning - Vendor's Hall and Presentations
The Saturday Conference presentations are always a highlight of the annual get-together. Informative and interesting subjects by knowledgeable presenters guarantee that everyone leaves with a wealth of new knowledge after these sessions. The Vendor's Hall provides a host of exciting products, books and services to browse when you are not soaking up the bounty from the speakers.
The lineup of speakers for this year's Conference and Reunion is the absolute best ever! More options, more topics, more speakers all means more reasons to attend this year.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AMAZING ARRAY OF OPPORTUNITIES YOU WILL HAVE ON JULY 17, 2010.
For a map to the location of the Saturday morning conference, click here.
July 17 - Camp Salubria theme for 2010 is Spotswood vs. Blackbeard
Ahoy, maties! Hoist your anchors and set sail for the Port of Camp Salubria on July 17th where our theme will be “Spotswood vs. Blackbeard.” Camp Salubria, formerly known as Kids’ Kamp, gives kids a fun day at Salubria while their parents take in a day at the Historical Conference. Governor Alexander Spotswood accomplished many things, but what some may not remember is that he is responsible for capturing Blackbeard!
During the fall of 1718, Governor Spotswood learned that Blackbeard was having a huge pirate party along the coast of North Carolina. Enough was enough! It was time to put an end to Blackbeard’s reign of terror. Spotswood sent two ships, commanded by Lieutenant Robert Maynard, to stop Blackbeard. A fierce battle ensued and in the end, Blackbeard was killed and Governor Spotswood had secured
the safety of the East Coast from the cruel capers of Blackbeard and his pirates.
This high seas adventure -- Camp Salubria: “Spotswood vs. Blackbeard” -- takes place Saturday, July 17th from 8-4:30.This annual experience for the children (held during the same time as the Saturday Conference presentations) allows the youth to participate in a variety of fun activities that always leaves the kids wanting more. Hands-on historical activities combined with good food and great supervision always makes this a favorite event. In past years, the kids have had an archaeological dig, learned to play colonial musical instruments, learned colonial dance and performed for the Banquet and Auction. The children should be dressed for hot, humid weather and physically be able to participate in vigorous activities. Sorry, no adults allowed (except for the adult supervisors).
This fun event for kids will take place at historic Salubria. For a map to the location of Salubria, click here.
July 17 - Dinner and Auction at Salubria
This is the fun event for everyone. A catered banquet, entertainment and the best darn auction you ever attended combine to make this the absolutely- do-not-miss part of the program. Self-tour the fabulous manor home Salubria. Enjoy the beverages and fellowship. Check out the many interesting and historical items that you can win by being the most skilled bidder (skilled = highest).
For a map to the location of Salubria, click here.
July 17 - Auction preview: This year Germanna has the absolute best selection of Auction Items for both the Silent Auction and the Live Auction. You will be amazed at what you will have the opportunity to bid on. To preview some of these great items: click here
Why are many auctioneers called Colonel? At the end of the Civil 
War, auctions were used to dispose of surplus goods. Officers with the rank of Colonel were given the assignment of Auctioneers.
July 18 - Special Event at the Little Fork Church and Picnic
The Little Fork Episcopal Church in Culpeper will be the site for a 10:00 a.m. special service followed by Katharine Brown and Barb Price sharing their historical insights. A picnic lunch with delicious food will close out the weekend of activities.
The Little Fork Church is located in the "little fork" between the Rappahannock and Hazel rivers and is Culpeper's only colonial era church coming into existence in 1731. Among the early rectors of the church we find Rev. John Thompson who built Salubria. A picnic on the church grounds will allow all to depart the area with good food in their stomachs, good memories in their thoughts, and good friends in their hearts.
TO REGISTER FOR THE 2010 CONFERENCE AND REUNION, JUST CLICK HERE
To see photos and read about the 2009 Conference and Reunion, click here
Make the 2010 Germanna Conference and Reunion part of your larger vacation plans. There is much to see in Germanna country that will appeal to all tastes. Below are some links to help you explore your vacation possibilities:
For Civil War buffs there are a large number of possibilities including:
The Wilderness battlefield is not far from the Visitor Center
Chancellorsville battlefield is also close to the Visitor Center
Cedar Mountain battlefield, again great proximity to the Visitor Center
Fredericksburg battlefield, a short distance from the Visitor Center
Chatham Manor another Fredericksburg historical site
Brandy Station site of the great cavalry battle in nearby Culpeper
Culpeper Museum has Civil War history and more
Spotsylvania Courthouse site of the famous Bloody Angle fighting
Ball's Bluff battlefield an early Civil War battle where Oliver Wendell Holmes was wounded
Manassas where the first major battle of the Civil War was fought
The Shenandoah Valley and Winchester offer great Civil War sites
The Stonewall Jackson House and Lexington are superb sites for the Civil War buff
Lee Chapel and Museum on the beautiful Washington & Lee University Campus
Virginia Military Institute supplied many soldiers to the Confederacy and George Patton to the U.S. Army which history you can explore at the VMI Museum, all in Lexington
Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy and offers many excellent sites
Museum of the Confederacy is another Richmond must see
Tredigar Iron Works in Richmond was the industrial workhorse of the Confederacy
Petersburg Battlefield where the fighting was long and tough
Appomatox where Lee surrendered to Grant
Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. where Abraham Lincoln was assasinated
Stratford Hall is Robert E. Lee's birthplace and another site worth seeing
Winchester Civil War Museum in the city that changed hands many times during the Civil War
Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel is Virginia's only remaining Civil War receiving hospital
For Colonial and Revolutionary history buffs try this sampling:
Colonial Williamsburg is an essential place to visit for every American
Yorktown where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington
Jamestown the first permanent English settlement in America
James River Ferry from Jamestown take the free ferry across the James River
Mount Vernon George Washington's home is another must see site
Monticello Thomas Jefferson's classic home near Charlottesville
Charlottesville close to Monticello and home to the University of Virginia
James Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland the home of our fifth president
James Monroe Museum and Library recommended by our own John Pearce
James Madison's Montpelier the home of the Father of the Constitution
Frontier Cultural Museum recommended by our own Katharine Brown
George Washington's Birthplace just east of Fredericksburg is worth the trip
Poplar Forest the retreat home of Thomas Jefferson
Red Hill Patrick Henry's last home
Scotchtown the home of Patrick Henry from 1771-1778
Historic St. John's Church where Patrick Henry delivered his Liberty or Death speech
Historic Christ Church Finished in 1735, Christ Church was the most finely crafted Anglican parish church in all of colonial Virginia
The James River Plantations are a trip back into early Virginia
Smithfield Plantation located at the Virginia Tech campus is a delightful venue
Our Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C., is another destination that is close by and offers so much that we can only give a small samping of your options here:
Smithsonian these museums house our nation's treasures
The Capitol Building is a must see in Washington, D.C.
The White House is another national treasure
The Washington Monument the symbol of our nation
The Lincoln Memorial an always impressive place to visit
The Jefferson Memorial a most beautiful memorial
Vietnam War Memorial a touching tribute to many who sacrificed for our country
World War II Memorial a new place to honor the fallen
Korean War Veterans Memorial we can never forget those who have served
Ford's Theater mentioned above
German-American Heritage Museum one of the newest museums in Washington, D.C.
Across the Potomac in northern Virginia you will find:
Iwo Jima Marine Memorial is another touching tribute to our servicemen
The Pentagon while Fort Germanna may have been the first pentagon in Virginia this one is the biggest ever
Mount Vernon which we mentioned above
Arlington National Cemetery is both beautiful and touching
Lee-Fendall House which you can visit just as George Washington did
Claude Moore Colonial Farm allows you to take a trip back to 1771
Colvin Run Mill offers interpretive programs at a 19th century water powered gristmill
Alexandria Archaeology Museum artifacts include a 13,000-year-old Clovis point, 18th- and 19th-century local pottery, and Civil War items.
National Air and Space Museum (near Dulles airport) displays thousands of aviation and space artifacts that cannot be exhibited on the National Mall.
Great Falls Park the Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country
Sully Plantation guided tours highlight early 19th century life
Oatlands Plantation a mansion built by George Carter, great-grandson of Robert "King Carter"
National Museum of the Marine Corps “Ooh-rah” this is the place to visit for Leatherneck fans
For genealogists check out these sites:
The Library of Virginia the ultimate depository of Virginia genealogical data
Virginia Historical Society find private manuscripts, family bibles, and family papers. Excellent museum and exhibitions.
The Valentine Library is another Richmond resource but call in advance to do research
Special Collection Library at William and Mary in Williamsburg is another gem for the genealogist
The Germanna Visitor Center and Library offers rare and unique Germanna items
Madison County Courthouse is an excellent site for many Germanna genealogists
Culpeper Courthouse is another treasure trove for the Germanna genealogist
Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library a superb regional library of Virginia and Northern Neck history and genealogy. Located at Lancaster Court House village. Be sure to visit their on line catalog.
The Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society a good collection of Westmoreland county history and genealogy, located in the Westmoreland County Museum on Court House Square in Montross.
Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution ranks as one of the best
The Library of Congress is an awe-inspiring place for any lover of books
The National Archives is a national treasure for genealogists
More Virginia sites worth visiting:
The Woodrow Wilson Library honoring the last Virginia born president of the United States
National Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, honoring a few good men
National D-Day Memorial makes Bedford a great place to visit
Luray Caverns Hooray for Luray! These caverns are amazing and near the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway if there is a prettier drive than this why hasn't anyone found it?
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is an engineering wonder near Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach where you can enjoy the sun and the surf
Chincoteague Island where wild horses still roam
E.A. Clore Furniture yes, that's a Germanna Clore and a picturesque site in Madison
Busch Gardens Williamsburg for a great kids adventure near colonial Williamsburg
The Homestead Resort one of the world's finest golf and spa destinations
Point of Honor Home and Museum is Lynchburg's look back into the early 1800s
Patsy Cline Museum where Winchester honors one of its own
The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond is southern elegance at its best; worth a stop to enjoy their lobby
The Inn at Little Washington where you'll need reservations for this famous Virginia restaurant
The Virginia Diner a classic place to eat peanut pie and taste real Virginia peanuts