I had spent time here on my previous visit, but there were some places I wanted to revisit, as well as seeing some new places.
It was a drive of about 140 miles and again the weather was beautiful and the roads not too busy. I was keeping my eyes open for any point of interest that might be worthy of a stop.
And so it was I espied an interesting looking building at Gordonsville advertising itself as a museum. I was glad I decided to stop.
It is a small town and gets its name from Nathaniel Gordon, the first Postmaster.
About 1794 he was granted permission to build a tavern which stood at the intersection of two important routes; The Fredericksburgh Great Road, and The Richmond Road.
Stage Coach passengers often used the inn for food, drink and accommodation .Later on with the coming of a Rail Road, the town became even more important and the Inn even busier.
During the Civil War it was strategically important because of its position.
It boasted many important visitors such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
But in 1859 it burned down. Richard F Omohundro who then owned the land rebuilt it and named it the Exchange Hotel. This is the building now standing.
During the Civil War, it became a receiving hospital and over 70,000 soldiers were treated there.
Today it is a Museum, and reportedly one of the most haunted houses in America. I am afraid I met no ghosts during my visit, but I keep closely looking at my photos just in case....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordonsville,_Virginia
http://www.townofgordonsville.org/
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