Virginia Approved 11 New Historical Markers
The state's historical marker program will add new sites commemorating key figures, events, and local history.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Historical
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The Virginia Board of Historic Resources approved 11 new historical highway markers on September 17, 2026, during a meeting in Orange County. The program, which began in 1927, aims to educate the public on significant people and events throughout the state's history.
Why it matters
These markers provide permanent public education about Virginia's diverse and complex historical narrative. By documenting specific sites, the state ensures that local history is preserved and recognized for future generations.
The board approved 11 new markers, five of which are designated for Central Virginia. The highway marker program has been operating since its inception in 1927.
The players
Virginia Board of Historic Resources
This state body is responsible for designating historical landmarks and overseeing the historical highway marker program.
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler
She was a pioneering physician who became the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States.
Patrick Henry
He was a Founding Father and orator whose early legal career included a significant 1763 case at the Hanover Courthouse.
William Oscar Page
He was a victim of a 1917 lynching in Northumberland County whose history will be commemorated with a new marker.
The details
The new markers highlight a diverse range of topics, including the life of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler and the 1763 case at Hanover Courthouse involving Patrick Henry. Other markers commemorate the 1868 organization of Old St. John's Baptist Church, the construction of Bright Hope Baptist Church using Civil War lumber, and the 1917 lynching of William Oscar Page.
Timeline
The Virginia Board of Historic Resources met to approve the markers on September 17, 2026.
The historical highway marker program was established in 1927.
The Hanover Courthouse was originally built in 1740.
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler graduated from medical college in 1864.
Old St. John's Baptist Church was organized on July 4, 1868.
Roadmap
The approval of 11 new sites extends the Virginia historical highway marker program by creating new physical touchpoints for public education. This initiative continues the state's long-term commitment to maintaining an accessible, statewide outdoor history museum.
Residents and travelers will eventually see these markers installed at their respective sites throughout the state. While installation can take over eight months, the markers provide lasting educational information for visitors and local communities alike.
The takeaway
These historical markers serve as enduring physical reminders of the people and events that shaped Virginia. Readers interested in local history can visit these sites once installation is completed to engage directly with the documented past.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's ongoing efforts to preserve heritage in the Historical section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 8News.
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