Visit Historic Lexington, Virginia Where History Lives

At first glance it is a typical small mountain town. Narrow, hilly streets lined with painted red brick buildings yield to old, established neighborhoods where 19th century houses sit majestically on streets lined with century old maples behind wide verdant lawns dotted with dogwoods and brightly colored azaleas.

Lexington, however is far from typical of any town in America. Since its' settlement in 1777 the streets of Lexington have been home many famous Americans some of whom were born in Lexington, others were drawn to Lexington to be educated or to educate others in Lexington's two outstanding colleges. When one walks the streets of old Lexington he or she follows in the footsteps Sam Houston, American statesmen, politician and soldier, who was born near Lexington and grew up in the town.

Lexington is the home to Washington and Lee University and to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).

Washington and Lee is one of the oldest colleges in America, having been founded as Augusta academy in 1749. It later became known as Washington College after receiving a large endowment from former President George Washington in 1796. After the Civil War ended general Robert E. Lee was named president of the college where he remained until his death in 1870. At Lee's death the college was renamed Washington and Lee college to commemorate its' much loved president.

Walking the streets of Lexington one can still see the lovely brick home in which Lee lived during his years in Lexington. It remains the university president's residence today.

On the grounds of Washington and Lee one can visit Lee's Chapel. In addition to being an active chapel it also serves as the final resting place of Robert E. Lee and his family. Outside the chapel a small marker marks the grave of Lee's much beloved horse, Traveler.

Adjacent to the Washington and Lee campus one can visit the Virginia Military Institute, the oldest state military college. Since its' founding in 1839 VMI graduates have distinguished themselves in every American war and boasts of having produced more field grade military officers than any college (excepting the Military and Naval Academy). The college also takes pride in having produced more Rhodes Scholars than any military college in the nation.

It was on the campus of VMI that Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson served as professor prior to the Civil War. It is interesting that Jackson who was Lee's favorite and most effective general also lived in Lexington. A museum on campus displays many artifacts which belonged to the Confederate General including many personal items, the most poignant being the bullet riddled rain slicker worn by Jackson the night he was shot. The museum also provides a home for Stonewall Jackson's horse, Little Sorrel.

In downtown Lexington the only home Stonewall Jackson ever owned still stands and is open for visitation.

In the rich tradition of producing 'citizen soldiers' VMI stands out as the only college to send its' entire student body to fight as a unit during the battle of New Market in 1864. Monuments on the VMI campus mark the graves of six cadets killed in the battle. Overlooking these graves is beautiful statue, Virginia Mourning Her Dead. This statue was designed by a cadet who himself fought in the battle.

Not to be missed is the Marshal museum on the VMI campus. George Marshall 20th century statesman, soldier and designer of the Marshal Plan was a 1901 graduate of VMI. The museum offers a remarkable collection of memorabilia, papers and maps documenting Marshall's unparalleled accomplishments.

On most Friday afternoons one can enjoy the colorful and impressive full dress parade on the VMI parade ground.

Continuing a walk through downtown Lexington the center of town is home to the Lexington Presbyterian church. This is the church Stonewall Jackson attended and where he conducted Sunday school classes for many of Lexington's slave population prior to the War.

In the center of an oak shaded lawn the Lexington cemetery is home to the final burial place and monument in memory of Stonewall Jackson.

There is more to Lexington than can be listed here. It is a treasure trove of history.

It is worth visiting and exploring on your own. It is particularly beautiful in the spring and fall when the valley is in full color.

Lexington is may be reached by by both Interstate 81 and Interstate 64.

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