Stories

Patrick Henry's Red Hill Offers Many Complimentary Opportunities for Visitors in the Coming Week

Nestled in beautiful Brookneal, Patrick Henry's Red Hill is the final home and resting place of the "Voice of the American Revolution," Patrick Henry. Visitors can learn about Patrick Henry and his contributions as a Founding Father, as well as learn about the enslaved who lived, worked, and are buried there. Henry's original law office sits on the grounds at Red Hill which Henry lovingly referred to as "the garden spot of the world." The museum houses the largest collections of Patrick Henry artifacts in the world. The Quarter Place is where the enslaved and freed Blacks lived and is a half-mile trail ending at the Enslaved Cemetery.

Takisha Fowlkes has worked at Patrick Henry’s Red Hill for nearly two years as Director of Community Engagement & Programming. She said, “I was in education before and I was looking for a different pace of work and a more fulfilling career. I love my job. Everyday there is a new discovery. It’s pretty amazing when someone comes into the visitor center and they tell you they are a descendant of Patrick Henry’s or of the enslaved.”

Curator Cody Youngblood said his favorite part of his job is, “...working with artifacts that belonged to Patrick Henry. It’s amazing to know I’m touching the table, moving the chair, reading the letters that Patrick Henry wrote with his own hand.”

Over the next two weeks, visitors will be treated to many complimentary opportunities to engage with Patrick Henry’s Red Hill, beginning this weekend: 

• Starry Night with the Crewe Astronomy Club
  Saturday, May 27, 8-9:30PM
  Join the Crewe Astronomy Club for a FREE night of star-gazing. Admission is free.
   
• Patrick Henry’s 287th Birthday
  Monday, May 29, 9am-5pm
  Come out to Red Hill and enjoy complimentary birthday cake and lemonade while you tour the property. Patrick Henry’s 5th great-grandson will be in attendance. Admission is complimentary.
   
• “Pretty Young Rebel” book talk with Flora Fraser
  Wednesday, May 31, 1-2pm, Virtual
  On May 31 at 1 pm EST, join Dr. Jim Ambuske for a live virtual discussion with author Flora Fraser on her latest biography, Pretty Young Rebel: The Life of Flora MacDonald. This event is FREE and will be streamed virtually.
   
• Making a Memorial: The principal restoration of Patrick Henry’s Red Hill
  Saturday, June 3, 10-11:30am
  Join Curator Cody Youngblood for an exciting lecture telling the story of Red Hill’s principal restoration. Learn how Stanhope Johnson, one of Virginia’s foremost architects, was chosen to lead the rebuilding, and how funds were raised for construction. This event is FREE and will be held in person at Red Hill.

Archaeologist Lucia Butler is responsible for supervising the on-site archeology project and research design. She said, “Red Hill has so much going on. The history here isn’t static- we’re constantly learning and inviting the community to be part of that and learn and engage with us. There is a natural beauty of this place. There are not a lot of places where it’s this quiet and this peaceful.”

Volunteers are welcome to join in the archeology field work this summer. Families are welcome and can sign up to volunteer through SHARE Greater Lynchburg at Come Dig With Us!