The Culpeper Star Exponent published this column by Jim Charapich, President / CEO of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, on June 21, 2010:
Did you know that Blackbeard the Pirate was captured by one of the Early Governors of Virginia. That would be the very same Governor that at the time established a new settlement on the western frontier of Virginia. Governor Spotswood named this settlement “Germanna” after German immigrants that had sailed to Virginia to settle there in the early 1700’s. The name includes “Anna” to honor the British Queen Anne. Thus, the name Germanna was created for the outlying fort in Virginia, an enduring name in our area.
The Germanna Foundation has established a visitor’s center on the original property of the Germanna Fort to honor those who arrived as part of our early American history. Their contribution to the area has been significant. The family names are prevalent throughout the Piedmont of Virginia. The visitors center structure seen along Route 3 is an approximate replica of the Fort of those early days. The building is the shape of a pentagon like that of the original fort. Recently, through the generosity of Germanna Foundation members, the property has a new addition, a Memorial Garden Pavilion. The structure will be dedicated during the Reunion and Conference weekend of July 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2010 (a tradition since 1956).
The conference weekend is an opportunity for those interested in connecting with the Germanna heritage. The Foundation is planning tours of local sites that were satellites of the original Fort location. There is a canoe trip planned on the Rapidan River adjacent to the Germanna property. Saturday’s July 17th’s events include a Historical Conference with a portrayal of Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood by Dennis Loba. There will be a variety of speakers on subjects including local history and genealogical research.
The Germanna Foundation is an active community partner. They are members of the Culpeper, Orange, Fauquier, and Madison Chambers of Commerce. They welcome visitors to our area from around our region and our country that are connecting with the Germanna heritage. We have such a rich heritage of early American history in our area. It is great to have such investment in preserving the heritage that shaped our country and continues to shape us today.
Learn more about your Germanna ancestry and find more information about the Germanna Reunion and Conference weekend of July 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2010 - contact the Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies in Virginia, Inc. (The Germanna Foundation) through their website www.germanna.org or search for the page on Facebook.