Fun Fact: Patrick Henry wrote his famous “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech when he lived in Hanover County.

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Download this handy map of Hanover County.

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This Hanover County caNine List showcases our 9 favorite dog friendly “Spots.”

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1. Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown

📍16120 Chiswell La., Beaverdam

Amos, our pack’s historian, used Scotchtown’s Audio Tour to guide us around the grounds of Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown.

Amos: “Here at Scotchtown, Patrick Henry composed his famous speech. When he addressed the Second Virginia Convention in March 1775 with an emboldened ‘Give me Liberty or Give me Death,’ he convinced our Founding Fathers that war with Britain was inevitable.”

Amos: “Built in 1720, Patrick Henry purchased Scotchtown in 1771 for his growing family. Patrick and Sarah had five, and soon to be six, children. They also owned slaves. Although Patrick Henry passionately believed in liberty, he never freed his slaves.”

Amos: “The story of Sarah Henry is sad. Sarah’s mental and physical health deteriorated following the birth of their last child. Today, it is suspected that Sarah suffered from post-partum depression and possibly psychosis. Sarah became prone to violent outbursts but Patrick Henry refused to send his wife to an asylum where conditions were harsh. Instead, Sarah was moved into Scotchtown’s cellar. Sarah died in 1775 and she is reportedly buried in an unmarked grave somewhere on the grounds of Scotchtown.”

Handmade bricks

Kitchen

Ice house

Amos: “Here are a few interesting features to see as we tour the Scotchtown grounds—handmade bricks, a kitchen that is separate from the main house, and an ice house.”

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2. Historic Polegreen Church

📍6411 Heatherwood Dr., Mechanicsville

Amos was thrilled to tell us about the history of Polegreen Church. More information is found on its website.

Amos: “As a boy, Patrick Henry attended Polegreen Church where Reverend Samuel Davies, a great orator, often preached of liberty. At home after church, Patrick’s mother required him to repeat the sermon, thus honing Patrick’s public speaking skills.”

Amos: “The Polegreen Church represented religious freedom and dissent as it was non-Anglican at a time when the law required churches to be Anglican. Reverend Samuel Davies also preached to African slaves and is credited with teaching many slaves to read.”

Amos: “Polegreen Church burned down during the Civil War but its foundation remains. White beams and window frames provide almost a ghostly presence and a reminder of its impact upon a young Patrick Henry and hence, upon our nation.”

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3. Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter

📍12471 Taylor Complex Ln., Ashland, closed Sunday & Monday

Grendel wants everyone to know that your new best friend might be waiting for you at Hanover County’s Animal Shelter.

Can’t adopt right now? No worries. The shelter would greatly appreciate a donation from its Amazon wishlist.

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4. The Caboose Market & Cafe

📍108 S. Railroad Ave., Ashland

As our pack’s Chief Executive Gastronome, Jake loves trying out new restaurants. Here’s what he had to say about our outing to The Caboose Market & Cafe.

Jake: “If you enjoy trains, you will love dining alfresco at the Caboose Market & Cafe and getting a front row seat. The star of the show made a grand entrance soon after we arrived.”

Jake: “The menu changes all the time to best incorporate the freshest ingredients. We ordered Belly Up (Bahn Mi), one of the daily specials, and a veggie burger.”

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5. Beaver Dam Creek Battlefield

📍7423 Cold Harbor Rd., Mechanicsville

Battle of Beaver Dam Creek: First Day of the Seven Days Battles and part of the Peninsula Campaign, June 26, 1862

Amos: “During the battle, the Confederate and Union armies fought each other from opposite sides of Beaver Dam Creek. This battle was significant because it was General Robert E. Lee’s first battle as commander.”

Amos: “Today, the battlefield features a short trail of about a quarter mile, and a bridge, which provides access to each side of the creek where the battle occurred.”

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6. Gaines’ Mill Battlefield

📍6283 Watt House Rd., Mechanicsville

Battle of Gaines’ Mill: Second Day of the Seven Days Battles and part of the Peninsula Campaign, June 27, 1862

Amos: “The Union soldiers were on their way to take the Confederate Capital of Richmond but were thwarted by their defeat at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill. This was the largest of the Seven Days Battles and nearly 15,000 soldiers lost their lives.”

Amos: “The inhabitants of the Watt House were forced to leave prior to the battle. Their home became a temporary Union headquarters and a makeshift hospital.”

Amos: “Today, the Gaines’ Mill Battlefield encompasses 60 acres with trails, interpretive markers, and memorials.”

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7. North Anna Battlefield Park

📍11576 Verdon Road, Doswell

Battle of North Anna: Part of the Overland Campaign, May 21-26, 1864

Amos: “The Overland Campaign marks the first time that the armies of Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee fought each other in battle.”

Jake inspects the remains of Confederate earthworks.

Amos: “At the North Anna River, the Confederates built a series of earthworks that formed a large inverted V. This formation trapped any Union soldiers who advanced towards the Confederate line. After a series of skirmishes, the Union leaders realized that they were at a great disadvantage and decided to move in a different direction.”

Amos: “Today, the North Anna Battlefield Park provides two trails, the blue which is strenuous. and the grey which is easier. We took the grey trail which begins at the parking lot and ends at an overlook along the North Anna River.”

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8. Cold Harbor Battlefield Park

📍5515 Andersen-Wright Dr., Mechanicsville

Battle of Cold Harbor: Part of the Overland Campaign, May 31-June 12, 1864

Amos: “The Battle of Cold Harbor marks a turning point in the use of trench warfare instead of face-to-face combat.”

Amos: “At Cold Harbor, the Union Army learned the futility of trying to advance toward the entrenched Confederates. Union soldiers eventually dug trenches but not before suffering extremely heavy losses. At least 50,000 Union soldiers were killed in less than an hour.”

A monument to Connecticut soldiers killed in the battle

Amos: “Today, the Cold Harbor Battlefield Park provides a self-guided tour that may be accessed by car or on foot. Before your visit I suggest watching this YouTube video which shows a reenactment of the Battle of Cold Harbor.”

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9. Hanover Tavern

📍13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd., Hanover

Jake: “The Hanover Tavern first opened its doors in 1733 so it’s had a long time to perfect its customer service as well as its menu. I’m happy to report that the ingredients are fresh. Very fresh. The tavern grows many of them onsite.”

Jake: “We ordered the fried catfish and a barbecue sandwich and we enjoyed every single delectable bite.”

Amos gets the last word:

Amos: “At one point, the Hanover Tavern employed a young Patrick Henry. The tavern served many lawyers due to its close proximity to the Hanover Courthouse. In the company of these attorneys, Patrick Henry found his calling. He became a successful lawyer and argued his famous Parsons’ Case at the Hanover Courthouse. By the time Patrick Henry convinced our Founding Fathers that war with the British was inevitable, he had been arguing cases for 15 years and had become an absolute master of public speaking.”

Hanover Courthouse

Amos: “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me Liberty or give me Pets.”

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Thanks for all the LOVE, Hanover County!

📍Historical Polegreen Church, 6411 Heatherwood Dr., Mechanicsville

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P. S. We recommend the following audiobooks during your trip to Hanover County.

These are the words that led to the American Revolution.

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The author brings to life the battle and the events preceding it, and provides helpful details for anyone wishing to retrace the steps of both armies as they converged along the North Anna River.

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This book explains the tactics used at Cold Harbor and delves into how the impact from this battle continues to the present day.

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