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The Blog
Welcome to our blog—a place where stories, history, and community come together. Here, we share insights, updates, and discoveries that highlight the rich heritage and ongoing preservation efforts of Port Royal. From behind-the-scenes looks
at restoration projects to spotlights on local landmarks, artifacts, and events, each post is designed to inform, inspire,
and connect. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a curious visitor, or a dedicated supporter, our blog offers a
deeper look into the people, places, and moments that shape our community.
Places
The Town Hall & Lyceum, Port Royal, Virginia
About the Town Hall & Lyceum On June 1, 1851, 35 Port Royal Citizens agreed to subscribe 52 shares at $50 a share (a total of $2,700) for the construction of a new “Town Hall & Lyceum” behind Lot 20 on King St. Undergoing restoration, the brick two-storied structure, with cellar, still stands. All original documents pertaining to the construction of the building are still intact, and comprise the only full documentation of any structure in Port Royal. “Harkness” was the arch
The Peyton House, Port Royal, Virginia
About Peyton – Brockenbrough This house dates from the mid – 1700s. Once owned by Champe Brockenbrough, it was arguably once the finest house in Port Royal. The house was visited by John Wilkes Booth following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Sarah Jane Peyton was alone at the time and suggested that Booth and his accomplice continue to the Garrett Farm 3 miles to the south, where Booth was later killed. Later in the home’s history, an entire hallway was sold by a subse
The Riverview House, Port Royal, Virginia
About Riverview For many years called the Armstrong House, Riverview, erected here in 1846, is one of Port Royal’s most spacious homes. This two story house with 9 room fronts on a series of long, steep, terraces leading down to the edge of the Rappahannock River, where formerly a grain warehouse stood for loading grain onto riverboats. One hundred yards out into the river are the remains of a wharf, built in the 19th century where the Lightfoot family moored its boat, the “
St. Peter’s Church Rectory, Port Royal, Virginia
About St. Peter’s Church Rectory St. Peter’s Church Rectory is one of the oldest structures in Port Royal. It was built in two periods. The oldest section dates from 1740 – 1745, and the front section dates from 1840. The house is frame, and the older section contains one and one-half stories with three dormers, made of mostly beaded weatherboarding. It also has a full bricked-in cellar (dating to about 1800). You’ll find hand hewn beams with Roman numerals in formerly the p
The Pearson Home, Port Royal, Virginia
About Pearson “Cummings”, (who may have been Phoebe Cummings) was the first owner here in 1787. The name on the title was shown as Pheby Cummings in 1800 and as Phoebe Cummings in 1804. Next owners in 1804 were John Pearson and Elizabeth Pearson who lived here when the present dwelling was erected, circa 1818. In 1830 Elizabeth Pearson conveyed the title to Lot 30 to Stafford H. Parker. John Pearson died in 1837. William P. Owens, a carpenter, owned Lot 30 from 1854 – 1909.
The Quesenberry Home, Port Royal, Virginia
The home to a prosperous merchant, Robert Johnston, the house was built in 1750 and is one of the oldest surviving structures. It served as a post office for many years. The original house received an addition, incorporating one exterior chimney for both sections before 1800. In 1810, Lucy Johnston, Robert Johnston’s widow; sold the house to John Hildrup and Maryann Johnston. The house changed hands a few more times before Philip Johnston sold one-half of Lot 31 to John S. Qu
The Roy Chimneys, Port Royal, Virginia
The Roy Chimneys These chimneys were once attached to the Roy Tavern and are all that remain of the estate of Dorothy Buckner Smith Roy. Dorothy Roy was significant because she was only woman to hold a franchise to operate a tobacco warehouse in the American Colonies. Her franchise was chartered by John Buckner in 1673 and then passed to John Roy, and upon his death the franchise passed to Dorothy Roy. In addition, she owned this tavern where business and politics were discus
The Timberlake Home, Port Royal, Virginia
2013 About Timberlake This property was first constructed as a small cottage, and since grew to 15 rooms. According to property records, the first owner was someone identified as S. Major– who could possibly have been Samuel Major of King and Queen County. In approximately 1750, the present small frame cottage was constructed on the corner of Market & Caroline Streets. Reuben Gravatt owned and occupied this Lot, 24, with his wife Lucy (Timberlake) Gravatt. Lucy Gravatt’s mai
The Holloway House, Port Royal, Virginia
1968 About the Holloway House As you look at this structure, note that this is one of the last surviving displays of wealth from early Port Royal. This house was built around 1770, and owned by John Hipkins who was a prosperous merchant and land speculator. His family was well known in the community for 175 years. In 1784, Hipkins became the owner here. Dr. Thomas Coke, renowned English Methodist missionary visited the Hipkins home in 1791. In 1796, Hipkins insured the home
Fox Tavern in Port Royal, Virginia
1977 About Fox Tavern The history of Fox Tavern dates back to 1755, when William Fox secured a license to operate a tavern in his home, although the present dwelling dates from a little later in 1759. Fox’s expense ledger tells us that George Washington stayed here on three occasions. Lot 26 has taken a number of different names over the years, sometimes being called Powers’ House and at other times, Fox Tavern. When Captain Fox was away at sea as a master of sailing vessels,
The Farrish Printing Building, Port Royal, Virginia
1968 This 18th century structure provides a rare perspective on commercial operations in Colonial America. This building was constructed as a purely commercial enterprise and was never intended to be lived-in as a residential dwelling. It is unique in that it was a commercial building, and it has been preserved remarkably well. Most commercial structures from the 18th century have been lost, and in America as a whole, not many still stand. 2013 The primary use for this buil
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