Brunswick County: Rivers, History and Local Stories

Rivers and Water Activities

The Nottoway River is designated as a Scenic River by the state. Development along the river is limited, and it offers good fishing for a variety of fish species. Public boat ramps and canoe launches are available at several bridge crossings; no permit is required.

County Park at Great Creek offers a different connection to the water: it sits on the shore of Great Creek Reservoir, a 212-acre flood-control lake. Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming are available on the Meherrin River. The options differ: fishing and public access points take center stage on the Nottoway, the Meherrin offers activities from paddling to swimming, while the county park’s connection to the water comes from its location on the shore.

Historic Sites and Culture

The historic site of Fort Christanna covers 25 acres and offers an overview of the fort founded by Governor Alexander Spotswood in 1714. Another historical reference point is the Valentines Post Office: William H. Valentine established it in 1887 in the small community of Valentines. This spans the period from the founding of the fort in the early 18th century to the establishment of the post office in the late 19th century.

The Brunswick Museum & Historical Society preserves the cultural and natural history of Brunswick County, Virginia, and was founded in 1990. In a former library building, it operates a museum with numerous artifacts, to which donations continue to contribute. The institution complements the stories of individual places with the county’s broader cultural and natural history.

History, Tradition, and Getting Around

The Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail offers another way to explore history: this self-guided driving tour through Southside Virginia includes five stops in Brunswick County. Its format differs from that of a single historic site; here, the subject is explored at multiple stops.

Brunswick Stew is also associated with a local origin story. According to tradition, Mr. Jimmy Matthews, a cook employed by Dr. Creed Haskins, made the first known Brunswick Stew during a hunting trip in 1828 on the banks of the Nottoway River in Brunswick County, Virginia. The Brunswick Stew Tour presents Brunswick Stew from different perspectives. Local businesses support efforts to raise its profile.

The Brunswick Byways Visitor Center serves the traveling public with information about the county’s two Virginia Byways. It provides information about the Christanna Highway (Hwy 46) and the Lake Gaston Byway (Highways 903/626). Brunswick County’s Visitors Map lets you zoom in to view points of interest.

Plan Your Stay

Whether you prefer individual sites or a self-guided driving tour can also help you plan.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Rawlings, Alberta, Botetourt, Bedford County, Montgomery, Rockbridge County, Manassas and Albemarle.

For the broader travel overview: Virginia.