This year the Lunenburg County Historical Society is planning its annual fall excursion by car caravan to neighboring Charlotte County to visit older properties on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Meeting place for the tour will be at Lunenburg Court House in the parking lot beside the law office buildings at 8:15 a.m. for roll call and distribution of directions. Departure from that point will be no later than 8:25 a.m. Those in Charlotte County may join the group at 9:30 a.m. at Red Hill, the first stop on the tour.

The morning will be spent at Red Hill, Patrick Henry’s last home and burial place near Brookneal. The Patrick Henry National Shrine at Red Hill, is one of America’s best-hidden historical treasures.

Lunch will be in Charlotte Court House at Diamond Hill, where the group will also enjoy the house and grounds. This two-story brick home, now an elegant bed-and-breakfast, was constructed by a local merchant in 1820.

Its name came from the glistening mica deposits in the red clay unearthed during construction. In the past, the house was once used as the first graded school at Charlotte Court House.

After lunch, the group will visit the two museums in the charming historic village of Charlotte Court House:  The APVA Museum, located on route 40 very near Diamond Hill, is a replica of the first clerk’s office.   The Museum of Charlotte County is located in the old county jail on the Courthouse Square.

The final stop will be an outstanding private home, Maple Roads, which was built before 1820 by Capt. John D. Richardson and is located just outside Keysville. Richardson was a hero of the War of 1812, a respected member of the Virginia legislature for nearly thirty years, and a successful plantation owner.

Maples Roads has been owned since 2000 by Carol and Max Sempowski who are both certified preservationists. The home provides a lovely backdrop for the couple’s antiques and other collectibles. Maple Roads Farm was featured in an impressive 12-page spread in the April 2012 edition of Early American Life.

The cost of the tour is $15.05 (includes admission, light lunch, tax and gratuities).

The deadline for registration is Thursday, Oct. 16. 

Please mail your check made to LCHS for $15.05 to Anne Hamlett, 689 Fowlkes Rd., Victoria, VA 23974. Also address questions to Hamlett at (434) 696-4488 or by e-mail sent to woodpark1@centurylink.net. You do not have to be a member of LCHS to participate.