Commonwealth of Virginia

Queen Elizabeth I

The original Colony of Virginia was named after Elizabeth I (who was also known as the “Virgin Queen”).  She ruled England in the 16th century and the colony of “Virginia" is the oldest designation for English claims in North America.   

Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. She was born September 7, 1533 at Greenwich Palace.  Elizabeth was crowned Queen on Sunday, January 15, 1559.   The reign of Queen Elizabeth I is often referred to as The Golden Age of English history.  Elizabeth was an immensely popular Queen, and her popularity has waned little with the passing of four hundred years. She is still one of the best loved monarchs, and one of the most admired rulers of all time. She became a legend in her own lifetime, famed for her remarkable abilities and achievements.

Early settlement

Originally the Colony of Virginia encompassed the entire eastern coast of North America from Cape Fear north to the shorelines of Acadia and a large portion of inland Canada.

The first settlement in the Colony of Virginia included the well known Roanoke Island.  Sir Walter Raleigh sent his first mission to the island of Roanoke (in present-day North Carolina).  This group of colonists whose fate is unknown has come to be known as the "Lost Colony".

The first permanent English settlement in North America was established May 13, 1607, at Jamestown, Virginia.

Revolutionary War

Revolutionary sentiments first began appearing in Virginia shortly after the French and Indian War ended in 1763.
George Washington had been appointed head of the American forces by the Continental Congress and Virginia was under the political leadership of a Committee of Safety formed by the Third Virginia Convention in the governor's absence.
As one of the original 13 United States that won their independence from Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War, Virginia produced more national leaders than any state, including four of the first five presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe). 

Civil War Era

Virginia began a convention about secession on February 13, 1861 after six states seceded to form the Confederate States of America.   The first and last significant battles of the Civil War were held in Virginia. The first being the Battle of Manassas and the last being Battle of Appomattox Courthouse.  During the American Civil War, Richmond was the capital of the Confederate States of America.

At the conclusion of the war, the Commonwealth formally rejoined the Union on January 26, 1870.

A Number of Important Facts Include

• On January 13, 1990, Douglas Wilder became the first African American to be elected as Governor of a US state since Reconstruction when he was elected Governor of Virginia.
• Virginia was targeted in the September 11, 2001 attacks, as American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington County.
• Virginia provided four of our Nations first five Presidents and a total of eight Presidents in all.  It is know as the birthplace of Presidents and it is just a few minutes away from the bustling capitol of Washington, D.C.
• Virginia is connected to five other states (Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia) and to the District of Columbia.
• Virginia has 95 counties, 40 independent cities and 189 incorporated towns.  There are four major mountain ranges, the Allegheny, Blue Ridge, Cumberland, and Shenandoah.

Virginia Today

The recent expansion of government programs in the areas near Washington has profoundly affected the economy of Northern Virginia, and the subsequent growth of defense projects has also generated a local information technology industry.  Jobs are plentiful both in the public and private sector and have provided many Virginian’s with relevant experience as they progress up the corporate ladder.

Education is a priority in Virginia and the region prides itself on high test SAT scores and the large number of students that go on to college.  The northern counties have several excellent colleges including Marymount, George Mason, Northern Virginia Community College, Strayer and Potomac.

Northern Virginia is a vibrant and growing area within the Commonwealth and is just a stone’s throw from the Nation’s capitol.  The highway infrastructure is being improved throughout the area and heralds one of the best subway and bus systems in the Nation.  

The subway system, known as the Metro, connects residents with hundreds of different locations in Maryland, the District of Columbia and northern Virginia.  It is also being expanded to provide rail service to Dulles International Airport which is located approximately 25 miles from the Nations Capital. Dulles Airport provides residents with easy access to almost any destination in the world. 

The people living in northern Virginia are as diverse as the world since this area host embassies from almost every country.

 
What to do in Virginia

Whether you are a history buff or just want to find a convenient place to live and work, Virginia is the place for you.  The area has living options for everybody’s preference—from condominiums, to town homes, to single family homes to apartments.  You can find any type of living accommodation you desire. 

There are numerous community centers, exercise clubs and public parks where you can exercise or just enjoy being outdoors and relaxing.

For the history enthusiast, Northern Virginia has an unending array of things to do.  You can explore the entire area whether you want to learn more about the early settlements, the Revolutionary War or even the Civil War—many wonderful parks (that were originally battle sites) are scattered throughout the area. 

You can visit the beautifully restored homes of George Washington, George Mason and even the Curtis-Lee Mansion.  The Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery are just a subway ride away.   There is also Old Towne Alexandria which is a bustling area of shops, historical building and host to many historical and holiday events.

Using your automobile you are within 2 hours of many other historical areas including Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Charlottesville (where President’s Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe’s homes are located).  You can take a picnic lunch and visit the Blue Ridge Mountain range and enjoy nature at its finest or in the fall you can spend a day enjoying the splendid color provided when the leaves turn.  On the way, you can visit many of Virginia’s fine wineries that are scattered throughout the area.

Crossing the river into Washington, D.C. allows you opportunities to explore the Nation’s Capitol with its hundreds of monuments, government buildings, and museums.  There is never a shortage of things to do or places to go when you live in Northern Virginia.