My Virginia

Born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8th,  1932, Patsy Cline grew up in the Shenandoah Valley, and spent most of her life in the sleepy laid back town of Winchester. She was affectionately called  "Ginny",  and got her start singing in bars and roadhouses of the Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland area. Patsy Cline was known as tough, but a stand out. A "rough hewn"  cowgirl singer, she developed her singing talent to become synonymous with "The Nashville Sound": The smooth and lush arrangements with backing vocals, and added stringed effects, that took Country Music "Uptown".  In her earlier days she sang on "Town and Country Time" hosted by Jimmy Dean- a regionally syndicated Country Music program in the Washington DC. area. It wasn't long before her powerful bold Contralto voice and charisma would take her to the top. She wanted it badly, because she wanted to get the heck out of Winchester, Virginia. The truth i...

Virginia is located at the very northern tip of the South- or the Southern end of the Mid-Atlantic region, whichever way you look at it. We Virginians are Northern-Southerners. Because of this, Virginia is in a unique position. Her cultural identity was firmly rooted in the Old South, but  with the advent of the jet plane, Virginia is at New York's doorstep! Northern Virginia, close to Washington D.C., is a melting pot of people from all nations and all backgrounds. Spreading out as far as Winchester to the west, and stemming from Fairfax and Loudoun County to the East, and as far south as Fredericksburg. This area with its transient feel, represents a culture far removed from Old Virginia, despite having its old roots left in the plantation homes and historic markers and schools named after Confederate Generals. This is also the most liberal area of Virginia, and pushed Virginia into a "blue state" during both the 2008 and 2012 elections, although by a narrow margin. ...

Paxon House is located on Genito Road in Powhatan County. The farmhouse was built by my great great great great grandfather- Ennion Skelton. His son Dr. John Gifford Skelton, was a prominent physician in Virginia, during the War. He attended to wounded soliders on nearby plantations in the county. He moved in Richmond in 1866- and help to establish The Medical College of Virginia- otherwise known as MCV. Paxton Plantation is a good representation of Powhatan County and most everything is in tact and preserved as it was when it was built in 1819- including the outbuildings. Many plantations and historical houses have been lose due to fire which was much more common in those days. So for a structure like Paxton to remain untouched as it was is very unusual. Here is some footage and pictures of Paxton.  

For many Virginians, a "White Christmas" is virtually unheard of, but that doesn't stop us from getting into the spirit. Christmas in Virginia can be a wonderful time as temperatures start to cool down to welcome Old Man Winter. Many areas in Virginia are still fairly mild in December, but a very strong cold spell can sweep through much of the area and so everyone should bring at least a light winter coat! The best destinations for The Christmas Season in Virginia include Colonial Williamsburg and their "Grand Illumination". This has many celebrations on the first Sunday in December with a large fireworks display at night. Many small towns in Virginia have their Christmas parades the first weekend of December, and from Middleburg to Danville, you can expect a celebration of great multitude. The Richmond area has many things to do around Christmas- including carriage rides through Shockoe Slip during the month of December. The Dooley Mansion in Maymont Park is wo...

Bravo! Bravo! Finally a book that has some truth in it. For the past three decades, our Virginia school kids have been taught that the "Civil War" was fought solely over slavery- that their evil ancestors in grey were fighting to keep Negroes as slaves , where the egalitarian North fought to end it. Fiction, of course, but that's what our kids have been brainwashed for so long. If we learned anything in Sunday school, we know that Satan is the father of all lies. So its no wonder that when the Yankees won the war, they re-wrote our history as well. "Our Virginia Past and Present"- presents the truth about blacks and the Confederacy. Joy Masoff presents a beautifully written book about our wonderful Virginia history- people of all races should be proud. Virginia's soil was invaded, and her sons and daughters came to defend her. Would a lot of people still believe the lie that the "Civil War" was all about slavery? Well, some might. But to enl...

Located in Chester, VA, Magnolia Grange plantation is a prime example of the Federal Style Plantation home in Virginia and the Upper South region. Its large white columns and big winding veranda, harken back to those glorious days gone by, when people had lots of servants and you could enjoy a simpler way of life! Now that is all past , but its legend still remains. Built in 1822 by William Winfree, the plantation got its name from a circles of Magnolia Trees that one graced its front lawn. The Plantation is open year 'round to visitors who want to explore a great plantation home. Chester is located just 10 miles south of Richmond of 1-95 WESTON MANOR- HOPEWELL, VA The main house was built in 1789 , overlooking the Appoomattox River. It was built by the Gilliam family. The Gilliam Family owned several plantations in the area. Weston manor is a prime example of the Georgian style architecture popular in many Virginia plantation homes during the 18th century. It boasts distinctive cr...

Another great destination during the summer time, is Wakefield, Virginia. Our "Plantation Peanuts" are known world wide over. We invented Mister Peanut! Planter's original- grown right here in the Commonwealth. Wakefield has a great diner and restaurant, where you can also pick up some nice Smithfield Hams. The Virginia Diner , located in Wakefield, is a must see tourist place. Virginia is famous for its peanuts- and they make great stocking stuffers at Christmas time. You may also see some cotton fields while you're out in that part of the state. Cotton is also one of Virginia's products, and its grown primarily in the region known as "Tidewater"- the area of Charles City County and Eastward. Cotton is not as a primary crop in Virginia as it is in the Deeper South states. However, Virginia grows its fair share each year- and is part of the cotton growing industry. Smithfield Hams are also a staple of Virginia food products. Smithfield hams are cured i...