Most people have heard of or visited cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia like Alexandria, Richmond, Roanoke, and Williamsburg. But very few know much about Lynchburg, a city bursting with charm and history. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or the "Hill City." Lynchburg was established by charter in 1786 at the site of Lynch's Ferry on the James River. It became a major hub of commerce and manufacturing in the 19th century, and by the 1850s, Lynchburg was one of the richest towns per capita in the U.S., with tobacco, iron, and steel among its chief industries. From April 6-10, 1865, Lynchburg served as the Capital of Virginia. A Confederate supply base during the Civil War, it was the site of the Battle of Lynchburg, where the Confederates managed to repulse a Union attempt to capture the city. Moreover, Lynchburg holds the distinction of being the ...

Ever heard of Montpelier? Neither had I -- at least not until a couple of years ago. It happens to be the plantation house where James Madison (1751-1836), 4th President of the United States and father of the U.S. Constitution, and First Lady Dolley Madison (1768-1849) lived. They didn't live there full-time, of course, until Madison completed his second term in 1817. Located near Orange, Virginia, the estate is comprised of a mansion, historic buildings, exhibits, garden, forest trails and archaeological sites. The origins of the name Montpelier are dubious at best, but the first recorded use of the name is traced back to a letter written in 1781. Madison liked the French spelling of the word -- Montpellier -- which translates to "Mount of the Pilgrim." Madison had a staff of roughly 100 enslaved African Americans at Montpelier who served in a variety of roles, from cooks to carpenters. It was declared a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Reg...