Explore Montross through several clearly distinct historical themes: the Montross Historic District, the history of the Historic Courthouse, and the school history of the A.T. Johnson Museum. For trip planning, it is worth keeping these themes separate: they range from a historic courthouse site to the history of Westmoreland County and the story of a school on the Northern Neck. Another important planning note: the A.T. Johnson Museum is closed until further notice.
Montross Historic District: Courthouse Site and Architectural History
The Montross Historic District is a linear historic district within the town of Montross, running along Route 3/Kings Highway. Its center is a courthouse and courthouse lawn dating to the early 20th century. They are located on the site of a colonial-era courthouse built around 1685. The district also includes the Inn at Montross/Spence’s Tavern, its oldest building, which dates to the 19th century. The district thus brings together different historical periods: the early courthouse site, a 19th-century building, and the early 20th-century courthouse complex.
County History and Museums
The Historic Courthouse serves as the visitor center for Westmoreland County and offers changing exhibits on the county’s history. A granite plaque about the Leedstown Resolves can be read there; they are considered a precursor to the Declaration of Independence. In contrast to the architectural history of the Historic District, this focus is on the county’s history and a specific connection to the Leedstown Resolves.
The Original Museum offers a distinct historical perspective: it opened in 1941 and was the first museum on the Northern Neck to open regularly. Eighteen portraits honor notable residents of Westmoreland County. Here, the focus is on individuals from the county—unlike the buildings of the Historic District or the school history of the A.T. Johnson Museum.
The A.T. Johnson Museum is housed in the original building of Armstead T. Johnson High School. The school opened in 1937 in the Colonial Revival style and is considered the first public high school for African American students on Virginia’s Northern Neck. The museum preserves the high school’s legacy through interactive exhibits, changing displays, historical artifacts, class photos, yearbooks, sports memorabilia, and recorded stories from former students. This collection brings together different forms of remembrance: objects, visual and written materials, and personal stories.
Garden and Restored Mural
The Virginia Presidents’ Garden is a notable landscape feature of the Montross Historic District. It contains marble busts of George Washington, James Monroe, and James Madison, as well as a sundial bearing the names of the eight presidents born in Virginia. The garden’s theme is shaped by the presidential busts and sundial, while the historic courthouses offer a different focus. The Coca-Cola mural in Montross was restored as part of the mural project. The garden and mural complement the themes of architectural and school history with landscape design and restored mural art.
Discover more destinations: Colonial Beach
For the broader travel overview: Westmoreland County.
