Nottoway County has four historic buildings on the Virginia and National Registers of Historic Places. They are the Nottoway County Courthouse, Schwartz Tavern, Burke’s Tavern, and Oakridge. In addition, Blackstone offers a walking tour of many of its historic buildings. A recent county wide comprehensive historical survey has documented over 100 significant dwellings and structures.
There is a wealth of Civil War history nearby. The Tour of Lee’s Retreat, a nationally acclaimed regional project following General Lee’s last march, has several stops in Nottoway.
Nottoway County Historical Society
For more information about historic sites in Nottoway County, and information about joining the Nottoway County Historical Society visit www.nottowaycountyhistoricalassociation.com
Museums/Place of Interest
The Nottoway region has welcomed travelers since Colonial times. Today, you can enjoy a vivid glimpse of the area’s cultural & transportation heritage through an assortment of unique historic sites—all open to you free of charge.
The purpose of the Nottoway County Historical Association is to study, preserve, and disseminate the history and culture of this county, viz.:
to restore, care for, and make available to the public such landmarks and such personal property, relics, and artifacts as it shall acquire through gift or purchase.
to collect, study, and catalogue all obtainable manuscripts, or duplicates thereof, pertaining to the people or the past of Nottoway and to conduct research in the public records.
to cooperate with organizations with similar interests and with schools to create a knowledge of and a pride in our past.
Historical Landmarks in Nottoway County
Photos by Patricia Herring
Burke’s Old Tavern
Burke’s Store
Burkeville Train Station
Jennings Ordinary
Crewe Railroad Museum
Crewe Municipal Building
Schwartz Tavern
The Gables
Nottoway Court House
“Old Brick” Gallery
Nottoway Presbyterian Church
Built in 1837
Summer 2006
Shutters removed and glass repaired
Interior, “Old Brick”
Interior, Pulpit
Interior, Chancel
Marker erected by David Baty, Fall 2006
David Baty, Eagle Scout Project
“Old Brick” and new marker, Fall 2006
Membership
Membership in the Association is open to any person interested in history who pays the annual dues. Annual dues are $20.00 per individual. To join, please send your dues and the following information:
Name
Mailing Address
Phone
E-mail (if applicable)
Mail to: Nottoway County Historical Association, P.O. Box 156, Nottoway, VA 23955
A flyer will be mailed to your address to inform members of meetings and activities. Renew your membership in October each year.
Links
These links can help with genealogical research and may be useful to help you locate your local historical societies and related organizations.
The Robert Thomas Carriage Museum has a collection of 28 fully restored horse drawn vehicles that represent every walk of life from the farmer to the wealthy. Pleasure vehicles, hearse, sleigh, surreys, wagons, and various buggies are all displayed in a carriage house style setting.
Guides and interpretive signs offer a glimpse into the horse drawn era. Accessories of early travel (saddles, lap robes, harness, foot warmers, and tools of the carriage industry) are displayed throughout the museum.
Built prior to the American Revolution, Schwartz Tavern boasts the title of Blackstone’s oldest structure. It was bought by John Andrew Schwartz, in 1790, and opened it as a tavern in 1798. It remained operational under four different owners until 1841. Standing within eyesight of its rival tavern operated by Francis White, the two competitors gave the crossroads its first name: Blacks and Whites. (Schwartz literally translates to Black in German). After the structure ceased to be a business, it was a private residence for seven families, the last of which was the Gilliam Willson Anderson family. After Gilliam’s death, the Anderson heirs deeded the property to the town of Blackstone with the intention that it be restored and opened to the public.
Call to book a tour today! Guided tours are free of charge and cater to your specific needs. An interactive children’s tour is available and groups are welcome.
Address: 100 Tavern Street, Blackstone, VA 23824 Date(s)/Time: (10:00 AM-5:00 PM) Phone: (434) 292-7795 Museum office: (434) 292-1459
Crewe Virginia owes its existence to the Norfolk & Western (N&W) Railroad. The Norfolk & Western Railroad merged with the Southern Railroad in the early Nineteen-Eighties to become the successful Norfolk-Southern Railroad of today.
The N&W pre-planned and built the town of Crewe in 1888. It was designed first and foremost to support the operations of the N&W as a Divisional halfway point between Norfolk and Roanoke, Virginia.
The Crewe railroad Museum is a ‘not-for-profit” memorial to the many residents of Crewe and the surrounding areas that lived here and were employed by the N&W Railroad. It is staffed and managed by Volunteers. Some of them are retired Engineers, firemen, conductors etc.
The Museum consists of a main building with similar construction as the original Crewe Passenger station. The building houses many artifacts, photos, and memorabilia, the majority of which has been donated by the residents of Crewe. Outside, in a park like surrounding, there is a Steam locomotive, Diesel locomotive, several freight cars, a caboose, and the latest acquisition, a passenger coach that was used on the crack N&W Powhatan Arrow passenger trains of the Nineteen-Forties and Fifties. Many other artifacts are to be enjoyed as well.
The Museum is located on land donated by the Norfolk Southern Railroad and is adjacent to their current operational yards. There are several adequate viewing spots to monitor Norfolk-Southern operations by the most discriminating rail-fan.
Hours of Operation
Friday & Saturday – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All other days call for appointment one day in advance
Admission is Free The Museum is a non-profit organization, staffed and operated by volunteers. Donations are helpful and graciously accepted.
434-645-9868 434-645-9650 434-645-9453
Address: 111 West Virginia Avenue (U.S. Highway 460), Crewe, Virginia 23930
The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment
The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment is a nonprofit organization created to archive, sustain, and perpetuate roots-based American music through the presentation of quality educational and community enrichment programs. Central to this mission is the preservation of the rich music history of south side and central Virginia.
Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment P.O. Box 607, Crewe, Virginia 23930 Telephone: 804-678-8013 E-mail:info@vmre.org
The Battle of the Grove
At this railroad cut on June 23, 1864, 3,500 Union cavalrymen commanded by Gen. James H. Wilson fought a Confederate cavalry force of 2,000 under Gen. W.H. Fitzhugh Lee. The savage, 9-hour battle was the first major engagement of the Wilson-Kautz Raid, a Union cavalry expedition intended to destroy railroads supplying Confederate forces besieged at Petersburg.
Location: 37° 6.395′ N, 78° 2.315′ W.
Marker is about two miles west of Blackstone, Virginia, in Nottoway County. It is located on Old Nottoway Road (U.S. Highway 460 Business) near The Grove Road.
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Nottoway County has four historic buildings on the Virginia and National Registers of Historic Places. They are the Nottoway County Courthouse, Schwartz Tavern, Burke’s Tavern, and Oakridge. In addition, Blackstone offers a walking tour of many of its historic buildings. A recent county wide comprehensive historical survey has documented over 100 significant dwellings and structures.