Birthplace of Patrick Henry

Studley is an archaeological site in Hanover County where a two-story brick farmhouse once stood, the birthplace of Patrick Henry. The ground remains and markers show where the structures of an important colonial property once existed.

The original house was built in the 1720s by colonist John Symes and burned down in 1807. This loss left underground evidence of colonial architecture and daily life from that era.

The site connects to Patrick Henry, who became Virginia's first governor and shaped the American independence movement through his powerful speeches. Visitors experience a piece of early Virginia history tied to this influential political figure.

A visitor marker and explanatory plaque are located at Studley Farms Drive with information about the six-acre site. The open grounds allow visitors to view the historical markers and understand the scale of the former property.

Insurance maps from 1796 document that the property had a complex layout with separate buildings for kitchen, dairy, study, stables, barn, and granary. This reveals how a wealthy colonial estate functioned as an organized agricultural operation.

Location: Hanover County

GPS coordinates: 37.66910,-77.29100

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49