THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION

Take a self-guided road trip through Isle of Wight County to learn more about our experience during the American Revolution in honor of the United States’ Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence.

​This route--peppered with tales of bravery, drama, military engagement, politics and the domestic scene--has 14 stops, and each has audio guides and information to reveal the significance of these locations. A map view and driving directions guide users from one site to the next. Along the way, there is additional information about things to do.

All patriots...begin your journey below. 

The Isle of Wight County VA250 Local Commission spearheaded the development of this self-guided tour with funding from the Virginia250 Grant Program administered by the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Full-Length Driving Tour Audio
or scroll down for each individual stop

Introduction

Smithfield & Isle of Wight County Visitor Center
319 Main Street, Smithfield, Va.
Begin here to learn more about the role that Isle of Wight County played in the founding of this nation.

Stop #1: Pierceville

​502 Grace Street
Smithfield, Va.​
The Pierce Family, Benedict Arnold, Hessian Jaegers and the nearby Schoolhouse Museum.

Stop #2: Main Street

112-132 Main Street
Smithfield, Va.
Explore the 1750 Courthouse, Smithfield Inn and Gaming House. 

Stop #3: Isle of Wight County Museum

103 Main Street
​Smithfield, Va.
Founded in 1976 and located in the former 1913 Bank of Smithfield. Visit for local history and a photo with the World's Oldest Ham.

Stop #4: Mallory Todd House

22 Main Street
​Smithfield, Va.
Captain Mallory Todd settled in Smithfield in 1767 and opened a ham curing and shipping business by early 1779. 

Stop #5: Captain John Sinclair House

335 South Church Street
Smithfield, Va.
​John Sinclair was an entrepreneur and merchant ship captain who sailed his own vessels and traded regularly in the West Indies, England and France. 

Stop #6: Red Point Bridge (Cypress Creek Bridge)

409 South Church Street
​Smithfield, Va.
Imagine what the Red Point Bridge might have looked like at this location in 1781. Made of wood and very narrow by today’s standards, this small bridge was the only access to areas east of the town of Smithfield.

Stop #7: Macclesfield, Home of Josiah Parker

14121 Norsworthy Drive
Carrollton, Va.
Macclesfield was the home of Josiah Parker. The plantation was named for the Parker family’s home estate in England and part of a 1638 land grant given to Parker’s great-great grandfather. 

Stop #8: St. Luke's Historic Church & Museum

14477 Benn’s Church Boulevard
Smithfield, Va.
St. Luke’s Historic Church & Museum is a National Historic Landmark and Virginia’s oldest surviving church building.
​

Stop #9: The Road to Suffolk (Reynolds Drive) 

17541 Scotts Factory Road
Smithfield, Va.
​This historic roadbed was the route traveled by citizens, soldiers and wagons through the county.

Stop #10: Six Oaks & Mackie's Mill

14470 Great Spring Road
Smithfield, Va.
A discussion of the 1781 Battle of Mackie’s Mill and the circa 1750 home Six Oaks.

Stop #11: Young-Laine Courts Building

17000 Josiah Parker Circle
Windsor, Va.
​This complex houses the county's administrative offices as well as the Randall Booth Record Room.

Stop #12: Boykin's Tavern

17146 Monument Circle
Windsor, Va.
Francis Boykin purchased this land in 1780 and the 1762 house on it. 

Stop #13: Wrenn's Mill

Old Stage Highway & Wrenn’s Mill Road
​Smithfield, Va.
The original mill was built before 1685. Charles Wrenn obtained it in the 1820s.

Stop #14: Fort Boykin

7410 Fort Boykin Trail
Smithfield, Va. 
​This strategic site on Burwell Bay was constructed in response to the March 22, 1622, Indian Attack.

Conclusion

Isle of Wight County’s history is expansive, and there is still so much more to discover! Let our tour be your inspiration to delve deeper and learn more.