Virginia's Revolutionary Landscapes: Protecting the Land That Shaped Our Nation

Carter's Grove- Williamsburg, VA

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Significance of Virginia's Lands and Water During the American Revolution

Virginia's land was the foundation of its success from the beginning of English settlement in North America through the American Revolution. The colony's fertile soil, long growing season, abundant forests, mild climate, and extensive network of navigable rivers made it one of the most valuable regions in the New World. After Jamestown was established in 1607, settlers discovered that tobacco thrived in Virginia's rich soil, transforming the colony into a profitable agricultural center. The James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac Rivers connected plantations to ports, allowing crops and goods to be transported efficiently to both local markets and England. As settlements expanded, access to productive land fueled population growth, economic prosperity, and the development of communities, making Virginia one of the largest and most influential of the Thirteen Colonies.

By the time of the American Revolution, Virginia's land had become a vital strategic and economic resource for the Patriot cause. Its farms produced grain, livestock, tobacco, and other supplies that supported both civilians and the Continental Army throughout the war. The colony's rivers and roadways provided critical transportation routes for troops, weapons, and provisions, while its central location made it an important military theater. This importance was demonstrated in 1781 at the Battle of Yorktown, where the geography of the Virginia Peninsula helped American and French forces trap General Cornwallis's army, leading to the decisive British surrender. From the first permanent English settlement to the final major battle of the Revolution, Virginia's land shaped the colony's economy, influenced military strategy, and played a central role in the creation of the United States.

Preserving Pieces of The Story

Conservation Partners has assisted in preserving several significant properties that have ties to early colonial settlement and the Founding Fathers.

Carr's Hill, York County

In 2006, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation donated a conservation easement to the Historic Virginia Land Conservancy on 230 acres of the Carr's Hill property which contains archaeological remnants of the historic Benjamin Powell Plantation site. Benjamin Powell was a prominent builder in Colonial Williamsburg during the 1770s, building landmark sites such as the Bruton Parish Church steeple and the Public Hospital. During the American Revolution, he repaired and maintained soldier barracks and supplied tents to the Continental Army troops. The permanent conservation of this site will protect the historic site and allow for future archaeological excavation to aid in telling the colonial history of the region.

Carter's Grove, James City County

Carter's Grove is a significant historic site in James City County that is steeped in early American history with evidence of Native American burial sites, Martin's Hundred uprising, and importance within the American Revolution. The iconic mansion, an excellent representation of early American architecture, was built in the early 1750s after the grounds were purchased by Robert "King" Carter. Nathanial Burwell, Carter's grandson, was a colonel in the Virginia militia in 1774 and represented the county in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1778-1779. Due to its strategic shoreline and landing along the James River, the property was a key site of logistical movement of troops and supplies during the American Revolution. In 1788, he was one of two men elected to represent the county in a convention called to consider the proposed constitution of the United States and ultimately voted to ratify it on June 25, 1788. Carter's Grove remained within the Carter family until 1790. In the 1960s, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation purchased the property and opened it to the public as a historic site. The Foundation donated a conservation easement on 400 acres including the mansion in 2007 to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and the Virginia Board of Historic Resources. The property was sold to a private buyer in 2008 which closed it to the public. The permanent conservation of this property has ensured that its history will remain intact.

 Ingles Family Tavern and Ferry, Pulaski County

In the 1750s, during the height of the French and Indian War, Mary Draper Ingles was captured by Shawnee warriors, allies of France, when they attacked Draper Meadows, her home. She famously escaped, walking over 500 miles along the Ohio, Kanawha, and New Rivers where she eventually navigated her way back home, reuniting with her husband. They eventually moved to a new home on the New River near Radford and opened a tavern and ferry. The tavern and ferry were popular amongst travelers throughout the Revolutionary War and even played a part in the Lewis and Clark legacy, when William Clark crossed the site using the ferry in 1809 as a part of his return home from his frontier exploration commissioned by Thomas Jefferson. This historic ferry operated until 1948 when it sunk while trying to transport a heavy coal truck. In 2009, the Ingles family completed a bargain sale purchase of an easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and the Virginia Board of Historic Resources with funds from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.

Menokin, Richmond County

In 2008, the Menokin Foundation donated a conservation easement on 175 acres containing the ruins of historic Menokin, the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signor of the Declaration of Independence. After serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses, he served as the Virginia delegate to the second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1776.

Natural Bridge, Rockbridge County

In 1750, Lord Thomas Fairfax commissioned a young George Washington to survey the land surrounding "Natural Bridge." Local legends state that Washington, an athletic man, decided to scale 25 feet up the side of the landmark where he carved his initials which can be seen today. When passing through Rockbridge County in 1767, Thomas Jefferson came across the remarkable Natural Bridge and called it the "most sublime of Nature's work" in his famous Notes on the State of Virginia. Jefferson purchased the land from King George III in 1774 hoping to make it one of his retreats in nature. After some financial trouble in 1809, Jefferson tried to sell the tract of land. He periodically leased the land for saltpeter mining and use as a shot tower. However, by 1815, he changed course and felt that he could not sell the land so as not to risk that the bridge would be destroyed or defaced. The land and Natural Bridge were sold in 1833 as a part of Jefferson's estate. In 2014, the Natural Bridge of Virginia, LLC sold the property to the Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund, Inc who then donated a conservation easement to Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation. In 2016, the property became a state park and remains open to the public.

From Revolution to Preservation: A New Fight for Virginia's Landscapes

Virginia's landscape is one of the largest remaining artifacts of the American Revolution and it is increasingly facing threats from development and conversion. With Virginia now earning the title of being the largest data center market in the world, Virginia's lands are facing enormous pressure to convert not only for more data center development but for more infrastructure to support data center demands including water supply and power transmission routes. Additionally, the farming population is aging with younger generations unable to afford the rising cost of land and farm inputs such as fertilizer and fuel. With the loss of farmland already at a rise, this generational issue could cause a rapid decline in working farms and forests across Virginia. As we reflect on the past 250 years of American history, we must plan for the next 250 years. Landowners across the state of Virginia are committing to preserving the landscape that played such a large part of America's foundation. What will our lands look like on the 500th anniversary of American independence?

This article was co-written by Bridget Braunscheidel, Director of Grant Programs and Administration, and Tori Kennedy, Managing Partner. Bridget holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in History from the University at Buffalo. Tori holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from George Mason University and a Master of Business Administration from Liberty University.