What America Looked Like on its First Birthday

An American flag waves in the breeze. A wooden fence borders a manicured lawn.  Gently rolling green hills provide a picturesque backdrop. In the horizon, only blue skies and gentle clouds complement the pastoral view.   Not much of this scene has changed since the day of our nation's birth, July 4, 1776.  By the grace of God there are more stars on our flag, but the soft grass beneath our feet, the unfettered skies, the gently rolling hills, the chirping crickets, and the subtle scent of magnolia still remain.  There's no wonder why Patrick Henry, America's First Patriot, called this very place "The Garden Spot of the World." 

This place is Red Hill in Brookneal, Virginia. Red Hill was Patrick Henry's final home, the site of his law office, the site of his family cemetery, and home of his descendants well into the twentieth century. Today, Red Hill operates as a National Monument with a visitor center, exhibits, living history days, and docents available to give tours to individuals, school groups, and for special events.  One of those special events is the Independence Day Celebration held every July 4.  

Mark and I were invited by some friends to go to Red Hill this July 4th to spend the afternoon at this historic site. We met our friends in town, and my daughter hopped into the Jeep with her friend. They rode in front of us, Jeep top down, ponytails flying behind them, as we caravanned up 501 North toward Brookneal, then down a winding road leading past vineyards and tobacco fields, until we finally reached Red Hill.  The children stepped out of the cars and Jeep wearing their Crocs and ear buds.  Vendors sold barbecue, burgers, funnel cake, and ice cream, as the bluegrass band's music was magnified through loud speakers.  Our group set up a table full of food we prepared in advance and packed in thermal bags, and laid our blankets underneath a collapsible tent.  The tent, the table, and most of the food were compliments of Kelly and Dale Redd and Patricia and Andy Rice. They thought of everything that I didn't. The tent. The table. The forks. Yeah, I'm new to this. 

 

Mark spent much of the day in a chair beneath a shady tree, while the children ran and played old fashioned games with wooden toys, then waited in line to get their faces painted.

Me and my little man, Carrington, in the face painting line. Yes, he dressed himself. His sense of style is unparalleled and his level of cool is beyond measure. 

Carrington asked for an American flag to be painted on his cheek surrounded by camo, and Courtie and Becky chose matching tiger faces. 

While waiting in line, I looked down to find that Carrington had removed his shoes, his feet bare, soft grass tickling his toes. It reminded me of how Patrick Henry's children and grandchildren may have stood while they played and ran and enjoyed life at Red Hill, nothing between themselves and the earth but the  green grass soft on their skin. Above me, bird songs filled the space between the leaves in the tree. Chirps of crickets echoed from the field ahead. Bluegrass music played up the hill at a distance. Strings resonated in traditional American folk style.  Children ran in the open field, laughing, playing, toppling to the ground in exhaustion. The sun shone above through an almost cloudless blue sky, but a comfortable breeze blew by, cooling my arms. With a deep breath, I took in the aroma of barbecue wafting  down the hill along with the music.  In this moment, and at this very place, I knew what this part of America must have looked like and felt like at its birth. 

The Osage Orange tree at Red Hill is the oldest and largest of its kind.  Osage orange trees are reported to grow to between 20 and 30 feet, but this one is 55 feet tall, and known to be at least 340 years old.  I can only imagine what it would have looked like during Patrick Henry's time, and wonder how much growth the enormous tree has seen since Patrick Henry's time here.

As part of the living history exhibits at Red Hill, costumed docents and workers demonstrated what life and work looked like during Patrick Henry's time here.  The little girl pictured below was making linen from flax.  The blacksmith and cook were both at work, as well, and the law office and slave cabin were open for viewing.

The cemetery where Patrick Henry and descendants are buried is located on the property a very short walk from the law office. This is Patrick Henry's tombstone.

At about 7:00 pm, the color guard presented the flag, and our national anthem was sung.  Patrick Henry's fifth great-grandson then came out of the cabin dressed as Patrick Henry himself and presented, by memory and with full fury, the famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech.  The Virginia is for Lovers tourism campaign had their "LOVE" sign on site with props for the perfect patriotic photo op following the speech.

The crowd thickened closer to dusk. We claimed our seats and manned our blankets, as Patrick Henry made his encore entrance and delivered the Declaration of Independence, followed by a grand fireworks display. 

There were no ice cream trucks or face painters two hundred years ago at Red Hill. There were no speakers or grand fireworks illuminating the sky.  The best of Red Hill, though, has remained. Soft grass tickling bare toes.  Cool breezes and smell of cooking from the house wafting down the hill.  Laughing children rolling in the field, concentrating on their wooden toys. Crickets chirping and bird songs filling the trees. Beyond the wooden fence, rolling hills and fertile trees as far as the eye can see.  It is easy to see why Patrick Henry loved this land like he did. On this Fourth of July, 238 years after our nation's birth, I listened to Henry's plea for liberty and America's Declaration of Independence.  Our Star Spangled Banner waved as our national anthem was sung.  As I remembered the struggles of the patriots who fought for our independence, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude.  May we never forget that struggle for freedom and those who fought and died so that we might enjoy it, and may we always show our gratitude and support to those who continue to uphold that freedom.

Red Hill truly is a beautiful, quiet garden spot. If you like what you see, consider paying a visit to Red Hill.  Did you do something special for July 4th? Have any traditions, recipes, activities, ideas, or favorite Independence Day spots?  Please share them with me, and I'll be sure to include them next time. 

XOXO, Erin   

Southern Virginia Mom 

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