Established in 1734, Orange County is named in honor of William, Prince of Orange, who in that year married Anne, Princess Royal of England. Rich in history, it has the distinction of having been the largest Virginia county ever formed. Orange covered a vast territory extending from its present eastern boundary west to the Mississippi River and north to the Great Lakes. The states of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia were once part of Orange County. Over time, its boundaries have contracted to an elongated county of approximately 37 miles by 17 miles.
In 1710, Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood was sent from England to take charge of the Virginia colony. In 1714, he settled a group of German immigrants on the banks of the Rapidan River in what is now a part of eastern Orange County. He also built a palatial home there, with both the settlement and his home being called “Germanna.” At the time, Germanna represented the western frontier for English settlement in the New World.
In 1716, Spotswood led an expedition from Germanna westward over the Blue Ridge Mountains, a venture designed to publicize the fact that the mountains were passable and that rich lands lay beyond. The expedition succeeded in reigniting the westward expansion of the colony and contributed significantly to the ultimate settling of America. The persons of wealth and power who accompanied Spotswood were dubbed by him “Knights of the Golden Horseshoe,” many of whom figured prominently in later Virginia history.
A wide variety of mineral deposits were discovered in the county, including iron ore, which Spotswood successfully mined. In 1732, William Byrd Il visited Germanna to inspect Spotswood’s mines and furnaces, penning a glowing report on the economic progress there. Byrd was also impressed by Spotswood’s home, which he called the “Enchanted Castle,” the name by which its remains are known today. In later years, gold was mined commercially in Orange County, with one mine continuing in operation until 1937.
In 1722, King George I awarded a patent of 8,500 acres to James Taylor Il, a former Knight of the Golden Horseshoe. Much of today’s Town of Orange lies within that tract. Taylor soon established a successful plantation and built his home, “Bloomsbury.” Two of Taylor’s great-grandsons became Presidents of the United States: Zachary Taylor, who was born in the county, and James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution,” for whom “Montpelier” in Orange County was his lifelong home. Since the 1930s, Montpelier has hosted, on the first Saturday in November, the Montpelier Hunt Races, a Virginia Horse Country show piece event.
The only significant actions of the American Revolution which took place in Orange County were a British raid, which terrorized the present-day Antioch Church area for several days, and Lafayette’s march through the county in 1781. The route Lafayette took is still called the “Marquis Road.” Men from the county played significant roles in the war, initially as members of the Culpeper Minute Men. The Minute Men helped win the Battle of Great Bridge, the first Revolutionary battle fought on Virginia soil.
Highlights of Montpelier TourA visit to Montpelier connects you to the foundations of American democracy, where "a more perfect Union" took shape and continues to inspire today. ... Read More
Inaugural Annual Madison Lecture - "James Madison’s Reverential View of Religious Freedom"Join our 2026 James Madison Fellow, Dr. John Ragosta for our Inaugural Annual Madison Lecture. Dr. Ragosta will explore how James Madison and his coll... Read More
Highlights of Montpelier TourA visit to Montpelier connects you to the foundations of American democracy, where "a more perfect Union" took shape and continues to inspire today. ... Read More
Highlights of Montpelier TourA visit to Montpelier connects you to the foundations of American democracy, where "a more perfect Union" took shape and continues to inspire today. ... Read More
Salon 1776 at MontpelierIn 18th-century Paris, the salon was where ideas came alive over candlelight and conversation. Hosted in elegant private homes, these semi-private gat... Read More
Constitution TourThis one hour tour explores the origins of the Constitution at Montpelier and the legacy it leaves today. This one-hour tour of Montpelier’s hist... Read More
Highlights of Montpelier TourA visit to Montpelier connects you to the foundations of American democracy, where "a more perfect Union" took shape and continues to inspire today. ... Read More
We the Kids: Think Big!250 Years of Bright Ideas… and Counting! Think big and bring your ideas to life on We the Kids Day at Montpelier! James Madison’s ideas helped sh... Read More
Highlights of Montpelier TourA visit to Montpelier connects you to the foundations of American democracy, where "a more perfect Union" took shape and continues to inspire today. ... Read More
The Road to Freedom Started Here: Leadership of the Culpeper Minute MenJoin us in our Sandra and William H. Speiden auditorium for a presentation by Jim Bish, a local historian who will present on the leadership of the Cu... Read More
Constitution TourThis one hour tour explores the origins of the Constitution at Montpelier and the legacy it leaves today. This one-hour tour of Montpelier’s hist... Read More
A Visitation with Governor SpotswoodJoin us in our Sandra and William H. Speiden auditorium for a presentation by Beau Robbins and an intimate experience with Lt. Governor Alexander Spot... Read More
Constitution TourThis one hour tour explores the origins of the Constitution at Montpelier and the legacy it leaves today. This one-hour tour of Montpelier’s hist... Read More
The 190th Anniversary of the Death of President James MadisonJoin us in our Sandra and William H. Speiden auditorium for a presentation by Tom Chapman on the life and times of Pres. James Madison. James Madis... Read More
Orange Music Festival VA250 Chris Cagle and Kentucky HeadhuntersCelebrate history and summer in true Virginia style at the Orange County Music Fest at Montpelier, a one-of-a-kind live music event honoring the 250th... Read More
Constitution TourThis one hour tour explores the origins of the Constitution at Montpelier and the legacy it leaves today. This one-hour tour of Montpelier’s hist... Read More
Salon 1776 at MontpelierIn 18th-century Paris, the salon was where ideas came alive over candlelight and conversation. Hosted in elegant private homes, these semi-private gat... Read More
George Washington's First SurveyJoin us in our Sandra and William H. Speiden auditorium for a presentation by David Cubbage, VDOT engineer and professional surveyor, on the first rec... Read More
Salon 1776 at MontpelierIn 18th-century Paris, the salon was where ideas came alive over candlelight and conversation. Hosted in elegant private homes, these semi-private gat... Read More
Salon 1776 at MontpelierIn 18th-century Paris, the salon was where ideas came alive over candlelight and conversation. Hosted in elegant private homes, these semi-private gat... Read More
The Dissenters'- A Play about the 10,000 Names PetitionCome learn about the Dissenters Petition that circulated Virginia in 1776. The petition had 10,000 names and the signers were from many walks of life.... Read More
Montpelier Hunt RacesAn exciting day of steeplechase horse racing at the home of James and Dolley Madison. Seven spectacular horse races as well as Jack Russell Terrier Ra... Read More