Germanna Foundation Visitor Center - Orange County VA
N 38° 22.657 W 077° 47.010
18S E 256852 N 4251382
The Germanna Foundation is located on the Rapidan River near the historic site of Fort Germanna built by Gov. Alexander Spotswood for the first German colonists to Virginia.
Waymark Code: WMBZXT
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 07/09/2011
Views: 8
The Germanna Foundation Visitor Center and Library is located on Germanna Hwy. (Rt. 3) in Locust Grove, Virginia. The foundation is a memorial to the Germanna colonies of the early 18th century. The Center sits near the Rapidan River and close to the location of the fort built by Alexander Spotswood to house the first German immigrants in 1714. Spotswood's home, known as the
Enchanted Castle
is also nearby.
The Visitor Center, built in 2000, is named in honor of R. Brawdus Martin who initiated the first beginnings of the Germanna Foundation. There are displays and artifacts within the center and a spiral staircase to a cupola with 360° views. There is also a library suitable for research which contains rare texts and genealogical material. Doug Harnsberger, a Germanna descendant, was the architect of the 5-sided building which mimics the shape of Spotwood's Fort Germanna, the 'first' pentagon in Virginia.
The Memorial Garden
behind the Visitor Center is dedicated to the first Germanna colonies and their descendants. A polished black obelisk marks the grave of John Spotswood, son of Alexander, in the center of a circular terrace of memorial pavers with dedicated benches and memorial slabs arranged around the perimeter.
The visitor center and library is open from 1 PM - 5 PM on Tuesday through Saturday with someone available to answer any questions and assist with any research. The memorial garden is accessible every day. Both sit adjacent to the Germanna Community College which was built on land donated by the Germanna Foundation.