History of Orange County, Virginia
Exceedingly rich in history, Orange County was created in 1734 and named in honor of William, Prince of Orange and husband of Anne, Princess Royal of England. In 1722 King George I awarded patents totaling 13,500 acres to James Taylor II, a former Knight of the Golden Horseshoe, who in time gave his daughter Frances and her husband Ambrose Madison 2,500 acres. Both their home-site, Mount Pleasant, and Montpelier, home of their grandson, James Madison, were both established on this land. Two of Taylor's great-grandsons became Presidents of the United States - Zachary Taylor, who was born in Orange County and James Madison of Montpelier.

Travel the "Constitution Route" Virginia State Route 20 and visit presidential homes, Civil War Battlefields, wineries and other historic sites. Four United States Presidents - Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Taylor - were either born or built their private estates along this historic ninety-mile route. A short drive from Madison's Montpelier is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland.

Places of interest in Orange County and the surrounding area:

Accommodations
Innsoforange.com
Greenock House Inn
Holladay House
Inn on Poplar Hill
Mayhurst Inn
Ridgeview B&B
The Inn at Meander
Wolftrap Farm

http://www.shenandoahnationalparkhotels.com

James Madison's Montpelier
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
James Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland
Michie Tavern
Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel
Orange County Historical Society & Historical Research Center
James Madison Museum
University of Virginia
Wilderness Battlefield
Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center
Chancellorsville Battlefield & Visitors Center
Tourguides, Ltd. ~ Frank S. Walker Jr. (proprietor) can be reached at 540/672-9414. Walker offers custom tours by appointment year round.
Annual Events
Fall Fiber Festival & Montpelier Sheep Dog Trials
Horse Shows at Commonwealth Park
Montpelier Hunt Races
Montpelier Wine Festival
Orange County Fair
Orange Street Festival
Somerset Stream and Gas Pasture Party ~ (540) 672-3429 for information
Virginia Festival of the Book
Virginia Film Festival
Virginia Garden Week
Art & Galleries & Antiques
Art and Antiques of Orange
A Classic Touch
The Art Center in Orange
Corner House Gallery
Hare Hill Antiques
Ed Jaffe Gallery
Melrose Antiques
JS Mosby
Wineries & Tours
Arcady Wine Tasting Tours ~Enjoy half day or full day tours of 4-6 local wineries. You will be picked up and droped off at the Inn and have all your needs throughout the day taken care of by Erika of Arcady Vineyard.
Barboursville Vineyard
Burnley Vineyard
First Colony
Horton Vineyard
Jefferson Vineyards
Keswick Vineyards
King Family Vineyard
Kluge Estate Vineyard
Oakencroft
Old House Vineyards
Prince Michel Vineyards
Whitehall Vineyards
Theater
Four County Players
Recreation
Anna Point Marina
Blue Ridge Balloon Co.
Lake Anna State Park
Lake Orange
Monticello Country Ballooning
Oakland Heights Farm Horesback Riding
Shenandoah National Park (including Old Rag Mountain)
Skydive Orange
Summerleas Farm Hunting Preserve
Orange County Tourism & Visitors Bureau
http://www.visitorangevirginia.com/
Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia
www.virginia.org