About

Hanover County was formed on November 26, 1720 from New Kent County along the boundaries of St. Paul’s Parish. Hanover County’s historic courthouse, believed to have been constructed between 1737 and 1743, is the second-oldest in the Commonwealth still in public use and is the official seal of the county, along with being the birthplace of Patrick Henry and Henry Clay. Other historical sites in Hanover County include Hanover Tavern across U.S. Route 301 from the historic Courthouse; Scotchtown, the home of Patrick Henry at the time of his famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech and his election as Virginia’s first governor; Rural Plains, which was owned by the parents of his first wife and is now part of a Civil War battlefield preserved by the Richmond National Battlefield Park; the memorial at the site of the Historic Polegreen Church where Virginians seeking freedom of religious expression gathered to worship freely; and several Civil War battlefields. Hanover County’s participation in the 250th commemoration is supported by the Board of Supervisors and the local committee appointed by the County Administrator is planning events, programs and activities.

Local Events

Martha Washington, first-person interpreter
July 27, 2024 - July 27, 2024
Hanover County

Often called the "Mother of our Country", Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was extremely instrumental in her husband George's political and military... Read More

John Paul Jones, first-person interpreter
August 03, 2024 - August 03, 2024
Hanover County

Hear the story of how merchant John Paul Jones came to Virginia and, by befriending other Scottish Virginians, Jones became embroiled in the Revolutio... Read More

Abigail Adams, First-Person Reenactment
August 17, 2024 - August 17, 2024
Hanover County

The wife of the second president of the United States and the mother of the sixth, Abigail Smith Adams is famous for her admonition to her husband to ... Read More

The Parsons' Cause - Prelude to Revolution
August 24, 2024 - August 24, 2024
Hanover County

One December 1, 1763, a country lawyer from Hanover stepped from obscurity into the forefront of legal and political circles in Virginia. His name was... Read More

The American Revolution Experience
September 29, 2024 - October 26, 2024
Hanover County

This innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique ar... Read More