Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Historic Orange County, Virginia

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026

1. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker

Inscription.
Montpelier Hunt Races:
Montpelier hosts Orange County's premier event, the Montpelier Hunt Races, which were begun by Marion duPont Scott in 1934 and are held the first Saturday of November. The Montpelier Hunt Races continue to this day as one of the most beloved annual events in the Piedmont.(Photo provided by Orange County.)

James Madison's Montpelier:
Montpelier was the home of James Madison, father of the Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights and fourth President of the United States, and his wife Dolley Madison, America's 1st First Lady. The historic home and grounds are on the National Register of Historic Places as are 33 other historic landmarks throughout Orange County, including the home of twelfth president, Zachary Taylor, who was born in 1784 at Montebello, near Barboursville. (Photo provided by The Montpelier Foundation.)

Images and text provided by Orange County Department of Tourism

Erected 2013.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 38° 22.287′ N,

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77° 46.107′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. It can be reached from Twin Drive 0.1 miles north of A and K Boulevard, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in front of the Wilderness Walmart, visible from the unnamed parking lot right of way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2533 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026

2. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker

The marker is the second from right in the set of six under the overhang.

to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (a few steps from this marker); Germanna (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.

Other markers no longer nearby. Germanna Ford (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This marker and those that adjoin it were part of a successful partnership between Walmart and the historical/preservation organizations that mobilized to convince Walmart not to build on the Wilderness

James Madison's Montpelier image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 28, 2026

3. James Madison's Montpelier

The historic house is preserved in the configuration it held in Madison's late presidency and retirement, reflecting how it looked between 1815 and his death in 1836. The two wings were added during his presidency. Previously the house had been expanded by Madison in the late 1790s, adding the portico as well as two doors and three bays to the left side of the house. The original 1760s core, built by Madison's father, included the five bays on the right half of the central house section, with the original door being the one on the far right side of the porch. After Madison's death the house's brick was stuccoed over and the duPont family later raised the wings to the same height as the house's center section, as well as changing the portico arrangement. In 2008, Montpelier Foundation restored the house to the Madisonian configuration, following the wishes of Marion duPont Scott, who set aside the house for preservation after her death with instructions to restore it to Madison's era.

Battlefield.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are the other markers erected next to this one at this Walmart.

Also see . . .
1. Wilderness Walmart Controversy Resolution. This article from the American Battlefield Trust (formerly Civil War Preservation Trust) details the resolution of the Wilderness Walmart drama that led to the installation of this marker and the five alongside it. (Submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. History of Montpelier's Configuration & Restoration. Architectural detail on Montpelier's evolution, from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. (Submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.