The only original standing home of Patrick Henry open to the public.
Walk the rooms where Patrick Henry lived and prepared arguments that shaped a nation. Scotchtown’s restored house, reproduction outbuildings, and pavilion picnic area deliver a focused, one-hour window into colonial Virginia life.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1 hour
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required; mostly level walking with occasional steps into period rooms
Wildlife
History
Patrick Henry lived at Scotchtown from 1771 to 1778 and is believed to have conceived elements of his "Liberty or Death" speech here; Preservation Virginia acquired the property in 1958.
Conservation
Visitors are asked to stay on marked paths and avoid touching fragile interiors; small-group tours and transferable tickets help limit crowding and wear.
Preservation Virginia
The only original standing home of Patrick Henry open to the public.
Preservation Virginia is a Richmond, Virginia-based organization that operates and interprets historic sites and educational programs across the state. The organization presents guided tours, hands-on workshops, documentary-style tours, and virtual programs that highlight Virginia’s colonial, revolutionary, and 19th-century history.
Preservation Virginia’s portfolio of sites and programs includes Bacon’s Castle (built in 1665 and recognized as North America’s oldest brick home), the historic landing site at Cape Henry Lighthouse, Smith’s Fort with surviving earthworks and an 18th-century manor house, Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown—the remaining house of the famed orator—and the John Marshall House in Richmond. Programming spans in-person tours and remote learning: the John Marshall House offers a 45-minute tour; the Courtmaker Documentary Tour of the Marshall House provides an intimate look at family artifacts; the Beginners Genealogy Research Workshop at Bacon’s Castle is taught by genealogist Sarah Carson; and multiple virtual programs bring lighthouse history and Revolutionary War sea battles to students.
Educational offerings also include the Augustus Hodges virtual program, focused on Willis Hodges—Cape Henry Lighthouse’s first African American keeper and abolitionist—and the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper kids program. Preservation Virginia’s events and tours emphasize primary sources, artifacts, architecture, and site-specific stories to connect visitors with Virginia’s past.
All descriptions and program leaders are provided in third-person; visitors should consult Preservation Virginia’s official listings for booking and availability.
Location
Richmond, Virginia
Based in Richmond, VA
Tours Offered
10
Historic and virtual experiences
Featured Length
45 minutes
John Marshall House guided tour
Historic Sites
5
Bacon’s Castle and four more
Reserve guided tours, workshops, or virtual programs at Preservation Virginia sites and experience living history in Richmond and beyond.
Arrive early for light
Morning and late-afternoon light flatter the low rooflines and clapboard siding—great for photos and cooler touring in summer.
Pack a picnic
Use the covered pavilion and one of twelve picnic tables; outlets are available to recharge devices during your visit.
Respect fragile interiors
Do not touch textiles or period furnishings and remain on marked paths to help preserve the site’s restored finishes.
Plan for families
Children 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times; tours are short but include narrow spaces.
Comfortable walking shoes
Support and grip for paths, gardens and the site’s gentle slopes.
Water bottle
Hydration for outdoor portions, especially in summer.
summer
Camera or phone with charged battery
Capture architectural details and garden views; pavilion outlets available to recharge.
Light rain jacket
Spring showers can be sudden; a packable jacket keeps you comfortable between indoor tour segments.
spring