On a Thursday excursion last week with my Lexington friend, we discovered Gilmore Farm while driving on Constitution Highway in Orange, Virginia. We were giddy to explore this unexpected stop that made us late for other things on our agenda. According to the markers on site and the Historical Marker Database, this farm was built in 1873 by George Gilmore, a freed man who worked at Montpelier which is just a few miles up the road. Gilmore leased the land from a descendant of President James Madison and lived here with his wife and five children until his death in 1905. The home remained in his family until 1920. If you visit the link I supplied above, you will see a wood fence surrounding the property as well as a locked gate. None of that is now there allowing us to go on the property. We took the short walk to visit the Gilmore family cemetery that is in the wooded area behind the farm. Only crude markers remain here along with a marker describing the archeological work of the site and where George, his wife, and small child rest.
For full images, please click on the photos below.
When I visit a Virginia historical marker, I check it off in my Historical Marker guidebook published in 2007. I was disappointed to see that this marker, JJ 26, is not included.
And now you should hop over to Dan’s site to explore or contribute to Thursday Doors, where various doornatics assemble and share their doorscoveries each week. Yes, I am a day late, but Dan takes photos through noon Saturday (EST). Dan’s contribution today is a beauty! Until next time…🚪
Thoughts Of An E'ville Woman 
An interesting read, thanks for sharing this post. Perhaps the next time we visit Gordonsville we may stop over in Orange. Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Gene, Happy Holiday Season to you, too. And enjoy your travels this way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love Virginia’s history!! Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for visiting, Gilmore was a great find.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great adventure!
I’ve been to Virginia a few times, what a wonderful place to explore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you’ve been here. We have lots to share.
LikeLike
Historical Marker Database! What a treasure trove of information. Thanks for sharing this with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The book is fun to have for cataloging those markers I’ve run across.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a presence you must have felt there! A real privilege to walk in such a place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a place that holds so much history. I am lucky to be surrounded by so many stories like this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The unexpected places are the best. They are well worth a look-around, like this rustic place. Wonderful stone fireplace and red door.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting and going on this short walk in hallowed grounds.
LikeLike
Love this!! What a fun find that day!! Wondered who that was in a blue dress peering thru the window!!😅 ❤️
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
LikeLiked by 1 person
My trusty sidekick! It’s interesting that the outside fence and gate are gone but I assume these were present during the initial excavation?
LikeLike
What a lovely find. Totally worth any delay it caused. I love the house and the photos of the grounds and cemetery. I wonder if there’s a historic markers book for this area. I need to check that out. Thanks for joining us, and you’re right, you’re not late.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My handbook has the surrounding markers listed for Orange County, just not this one. I do know the marker was placed prior to my handbook’s pub date. I think it is a simple error of exclusion.
LikeLiked by 1 person