The Hope and Glory Inn: Sightseeing in the Area

During our three-day stay at The Hope and Glory Inn, we set out each day to explore.  The area is quiet and uncrowded, but full of history and its own special beauty.  Here are a few of our finds.

* Stratford Hall, Birthplace of Robert E. Lee

Stratford Hall, constructed in 1738
Stratford, Virginia

The house, gardens, and grounds are open to the public.

Part of the property overlooks the Potomac River.  There are picnic tables and a short
hiking trail here.

* Beaches and Waterways

* Historic Christ Church

Christ Church, c. 1735
Weems, Virginia

Annapolis, Maryland: The United States Naval Academy

When in Annapolis, a visit to the United States Naval Academy is well worth your time. Take a guided tour or get a map and set out on your own like we did.

One of the residence halls

Detail on residence hall

Dahlgren Hall
The Dry Dock Restaurant, open to the public, is located here.  Dahlgren Hall houses
many social activities for the cadets.

Outside detail on Dahlgren Hall

Inside Dahlgren Hall

Huge model ship at one end of Dalgren Hall

Model of the Wright B-1 Flyer hanging in Dalgren Hall

The chapel is a "must-see"

The gorgeous stained glass windows in the chapel were made
by Tiffany.

We were lucky enough to hear this gentleman playing the organ when we
visited the chapel.

Below the chapel is the crypt of John Paul Jones,
hero of the American Revolution.

The elaborate marble coffin of John Paul Jones

Preble Hall houses the U. S. Naval Museum

On the second floor of the museum is a large collection of intricate model ships.

Manassas Battlefield

The first major battle of the American Civil War was fought on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia.  Thinking this would be only a skirmish and a quick end to the talk of an actual war, many people who lived in the area brought picnic lunches and observed the fighting from surrounding hills. While the Union troops showed strength and progress early in the fighting, the Confederate forces stood their ground and gained strength from reinforcements.  Victory at First Manassas (or First Bull Run) belonged to the South, and it became evident that the Civil War was real and not quickly or easily resolved.

On our drive from Lexington, Virginia, to Annapolis, Maryland, we stopped to stretch our legs and see the site of the Battles of Manassas. The battlefield today is a quiet, beautiful place just outside the busy town of Manassas.  

The Henry family farm, site of the First Battle of Manassas

Home of 85 year old Judith Henry who refused to
leave when the battle began on her farm.

Grave of Judith Henry, the only civilian casualty of this battle.
She was killed when caught in the crossfire of the battle.

Confederate Battle Line

Monument to Confederate General (and VMI graduate) Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
"There stands Jackson like a stone wall."

Monument to those who died during First Manassas

A Tale of Two Colleges

On a hill overlooking the small town of Lexington, Virginia, sit two very different institutions of higher learning.  Washington & Lee University, with its, red brick buildings, white columns, and liberal arts curriculum dominates one side of the hill, while the austere, military stateliness of Virginia Military Institute secures the other side.  Where one campus ends, the other, quite literally, begins.  A visit to both is worth your time.

Washington & Lee University

Brick walkway in front of a classroom building

Lee Chapel
Robert E. Lee is buried here

Entrance to Lee Chapel

Window in Lee Chapel

Lee Chapel

Traveller's Grave
Robert E. Lee's beloved horse, Traveller, is buried beside Lee Chapel

Remembrances left at Traveller's gravesite

Virginia Military Institute

Cadets on the VMI campus

Detail of a window on a classroom building

Evening at VMI