OUR TOURS
General Background
When Orange County was formed in 1734, its boundaries included the land areas that now make up Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, the southern parts of Michigan and Wisconsin, and a large part of today's Virginia. As a result, the county and the areas surrounding it possess a vast and varied historic legacy. The archaeologists and anthropologists tell us that people were in our area as early as 10,000 B.C. There is Germanna, which when it was established in 1714, was the westernmost settlement in Virginia. Visitors from all over the world come to view the magnificent setting at Montpelier and learn about our famous neighbor and fourth President, James Madison. The American Revolution brought the Marquis de Lafayette and his army to Orange County in 1781. The Civil War saw the county’s Rapidan River boundary become part of the northern border of the Confederacy. As a result, Orange County has some of the most heavily fought-over ground in America.

Historic roads and railroads have left their mark on the land. Gold mines once dotted the Wilderness Run valley. The county has long been a leading producer of wine grapes in Virginia, and the Barboursville area’s vineyards and wineries are a focus of Wine Country Virginia. Enhancing all you see and hear is the scenic beauty of your tour route. From close-up views of picturesque local scenes to broad sweeping vistas towards the Blue Ridge Mountains, your surroundings will present their own, additional tour.

Tours vary in route and content, depending upon the interests and available touring time of the tour party. The following are some of the more popular tour presentations, but additional and custom tours are also available.

Orange County Heritage Tours
Orange County Historic Sampler: A full day exploring the extensive and diverse heritage of Orange County. The county is 17 miles by 37 miles, and we do it all, Gordonsville to Germanna, Barboursville to the battlefields. We review the Native American, Colonial, Revolutionary, Civil War, and Modern eras of the county and view the available relevant sites and venues. Makes a native out of a newcomer.
African American Heritage Tour: New and still developing. A full tour is already longer than a half-day. The aim is to “tell it like it is,” which means that the presentation includes both grand events and brutal scenes. Colonial, Civil War, Reconstruction, and Modern eras are explored.

Civil War
In the late winter of 1862-63, the Confederacy adopted a line marked by the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers as its northern boundary, and it successfully defended that line until the spring of 1864. The ongoing efforts of the Union forces to drive the Confederates off that line made the corridor between Orange Court House and Fredericksburg the most heavily fought-over ground in America.
Inside the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park:
We have become recognized for presenting a one-day familiarization tour that acquaints a visitor with the Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Chancellorsville, and Spotsylvania battles and battlefields. It is the most efficient way to learn about the battles, the layout of their battlefields within the Park, and the best ways to navigate through the Park's 8700 plus acres. Additional sites and venues are presented to the extent time permits. More extensive and detailed presentations of specific battles, sites and venues are available on request.
Outside the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park: Available to us are the Exchange Hotel Museum, Cedar Mountain, Brandy Station, Kelly's Ford, the entire Mine Run Campaign, the Battle of Orange Court House, The Battle of Bell's Mountain Pass, the Battle of Jack's Shop, and much more. At least another day of touring for those who have visited the marquee battlefields and who realize that this region offers even more.

Custom & Specialty Tours
Winery & Vineyards Tours: Depending upon how you are coming into our area, tours involving Prince Michel, Barboursville, Keswick, Horton, or Burnley vineyards and wineries can be on your itinerary. Clients sometimes wish to add a winery visit to a battlefields or heritage tour. Depending upon where their primary tour is taking them, that is sometimes possible, sometimes not.
Museums & Art Galleries: Museum and gallery opening days and hours vary over time. If such a tour interests you, please contact us well in advance to give us a chance to put a tour together for you.
Antiques: The attraction of fine antique shops is undeniable. Like museum and galleries, however, opening days and times can vary, so advance notice is critical.
Fall Color: Tours into the Blue Ridge Mountains in late October/early November have become a staple with us. The 'peak' varies from year to year, but the scenery, the history, your lunch, and the shopping always make the tour a success.

Montpelier
Mr. Madison's Montpelier has its own excellent guide corps and its own fee structure. We therefore do not offer Montpelier as a specific Tourguide tour, but a side trip to visit that revered and historically diverse property can be added on to a number of Tourguide's regular and special offerings.

Talks and Appearances
The research being done by the members of the guide corps often results in material for non-touring presentations on various subjects. Contact us with your particular interests, and let us see if we can be of assistance.

Booking and Tour Details
Your inquiry will first come to Frank Walker, who will return your call/message as quickly as possible. (Mr. Walker maintains the master booking schedule for all guides.) He will turn the contact information thus received over to the selected field guide, who in turn will contact you promptly. From that point, communications will be between you and the guide, unless Mr. Walker's additional services are requested.

Once a tour is decided upon, a single fee will be quoted regardless of the size of the group involved. For reasons of convenience and safety, there is extensive en route narration in addition to dismounted presentations. The tour party should therefore travel in one vehicle or in multiple vehicles that are connected electronically. All tours are given in a “step-on” format, meaning that the guide rides with you in whatever transportation you chose to travel in, in the company of whomever you chose to travel with. Admission fees and meal costs, where applicable, are not included in the guide fee. Tour start times and guide pick-up points will be as agreed with the guide.