The Virginia road trip that’s perfect for literature lovers
On this Virginia road trip, bibliophiles can explore the homes of famous authors, historic bookstores, and libraries that bring the Commonwealth’s rich literary heritage to life.
Virginia’s storied past isn’t just one of battles and politics—it’s also one of literary inspiration. From the homes of celebrated authors to charming bookstores and libraries steeped in history, the Commonwealth offers countless opportunities for bibliophiles to explore. Pack your bags, and let’s hit the road for an unforgettable literary journey across Virginia.
1. Poe Museum
1914 E Main St. Richmond, VA 23223
The first stop on this Virginia road trip is Richmond’s Poe Museum, which offers a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of Edgar Allan Poe and lovers of history and literature alike. Located in the heart of the city, the museum immerses visitors in the life and legacy of one of America’s most iconic writers. Whether you’re drawn to Poe’s chilling tales, his fascinating life story, or simply the allure of stepping back in time, the museum delivers an unforgettable journey. Highlights include the Old Stone House, Richmond’s oldest surviving residence, where exhibits explore Poe’s childhood and connections to the city. Visitors can stroll through the enchanting garden, inspired by his poem “To One in Paradise,” featuring ivy from his mother’s grave and stone benches from the site of his marriage.
The Poe Museum is not just a tribute to the writer—it’s a dynamic cultural hub. The garden, with its towering Hackberry tree and historical relics, serves as a stunning venue for events like weddings, Unhappy Hours, and Poe’s Birthday Bash. The museum’s rich history includes its shrine, constructed from materials salvaged from Poe’s workplace at the Southern Literary Messenger. Visitors will appreciate the opportunity to see artifacts, hear stories, and connect with the legacy of a literary master. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual visitor, the Poe Museum offers a captivating blend of history, literature, and inspiration, making it a must-see destination in Richmond.
2. Booker T. Washington National Monument
12130 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Hardy, VA 24101
The Booker T. Washington National Monument offers visitors a chance to reflect on the life of a man whose writings captured the struggles and triumphs of those born into slavery. In his autobiography, “Up From Slavery,” Washington recalls his early years on the Burroughs plantation in Virginia, describing a small, cold log cabin where he lived with his family. He wrote, “There was no wooden floor in our cabin, the naked earth being used as a floor,” painting a vivid picture of his harsh beginnings.
Washington’s autobiography not only recounts his personal journey from slavery to freedom but also sheds light on the broader challenges faced by African Americans after emancipation. As the founder of the Tuskegee Institute and an advisor to presidents, his writings advocated for education as a path to empowerment. The monument honors his legacy and serves as a place to explore his enduring impact on race, education, and self-improvement.
3. Willa Cather Birthplace
Gore, Frederick County, VA
The birthplace of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Willa Cather, located in the tiny Frederick County community of Gore, reflects her humble beginnings in rural Virginia. According to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the weatherboarded log house, built in the early 19th century by her great-grandfather Jacob Seibert, was home to Cather’s maternal grandmother, Rachel Seibert Boak, who inspired a central character in Cather’s final novel, “Sapphira and the Slave Girl” (1940). Cather’s early memories of the Shenandoah Valley shaped her later works, which often explored themes of courage and struggle.
As noted by the Willa Cather Center, the house has fallen into disrepair and requires significant restoration. In May 2023, realtor Katherine Solenberger purchased the property to stabilize it and plans to donate it to the nonprofit Willa Cather’s Virginia. Efforts are underway to preserve the structure and elevate Cather’s Virginia legacy, with hopes that the site will attract visitors interested in her life and work.
4. Hollywood Cemetery
412 South Cherry St., Richmond, VA 23220
Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, is not only a serene resting place with breathtaking views of the James River but also the final home to several celebrated authors. Among the notable burials are Douglas Southall Freeman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and historian best known for his work on Confederate General Robert E. Lee and George Washington. Freeman’s contributions to American history and military analysis earned him national renown, and his work remains influential in Civil War scholarship.
Also buried at Hollywood is James Branch Cabell, the author of “Jurgen, A Comedy of Justice” (1919), a novel that became the subject of a landmark obscenity case. Cabell’s literary career spanned the genres of fantasy, science fiction, and comedies of manners, with his sprawling “Biography of the Life of Manuel” being one of his most ambitious works. Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow, a celebrated Richmond native, is also interred here. Known for her novels that captured the South’s social and cultural landscape, Glasgow’s prolific career spanned over four decades, with works such as “The Descendant” (1897) and her posthumous autobiography, “A Woman Within” (1954). These authors, alongside other historical figures, rest at Hollywood Cemetery, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s literary and cultural heritage.
5. Richmond Public Library
101 East Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23219
Efforts to establish a public library in Richmond date back to 1812, with notable milestones like the Athenæum in the 1840s and the Rosemary Library for Boys in the early 20th century. Philanthropist Grace Arents significantly advanced the cause by founding the St. Andrew’s Library and contributing to other educational initiatives. Despite multiple rejections of Andrew Carnegie’s offers to fund a public library—partially due to concerns about racial integration—community demand persisted, culminating in the creation of the Richmond Public Library Association in 1905.
In 1925, the City Council secured the Ginter House, the former home of Major Lewis Ginter, as the library’s permanent home. The Richmond Public Library opened on October 13, 1925, with a collection of 20,000 volumes, incorporating donations from family libraries, the John B. Tabb Library, and others. Today, it stands as a symbol of the city’s enduring commitment to literacy and public access to knowledge.
6. Alexandria Library
717 Queen St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2420
The Alexandria Library, founded in 1794 and chartered by Virginia’s General Assembly in 1799, served Alexandria’s white residents exclusively for over a century, despite Black taxpayers supporting it. By 1939, the library, then called the Kate Waller Barrett Library, offered no access to African Americans. Samuel Wilbert Tucker, a 26-year-old lawyer and Alexandria native, organized a peaceful protest on August 21, 1939. Five young Black men entered the library, requested cards, and, upon being denied, silently read until police arrested them for “disorderly conduct.” Though Tucker planned to challenge the arrests in court, community resistance resulted in establishing a segregated facility, the Robert H. Robinson Library, in 1940.
In 2024, Alexandria Library commemorates the 85th anniversary of the sit-in with events celebrating its “Legacy of Courage.” “The events of that day started a lot of important conversations in Alexandria,” said Jimmy Lewis, honorary co-chair for the celebration. Programs will explore themes of racial justice and equality, ensuring the story of the sit-in continues to inspire. “I’m proud to be adding my voice to the many others telling this story so we don’t forget the courage it took to create the strong, diverse, resilient community we have today,” said Cathy Puskar, fellow honorary co-chair.
7. Jefferson Library
1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA 22902
The Jefferson Library at Monticello collects and shares materials that explore the history of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, and the people connected to these legacies. Its collections include books, journals, manuscripts, photographs, and digital files on topics such as Jefferson’s life, colonial and revolutionary America, slavery, and science. Notable collections include the Ron Laycock Collection on Lewis and Clark and the Filippo Mazzei Archive, along with over 15,000 titles and access to 80,000 e-books and research databases.
8. Virginia Museum of History & Culture
428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond, VA 23220
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), operated by the Virginia Historical Society, safeguards nearly nine million items that tell the evolving story of the Commonwealth. As one of the nation’s oldest cultural institutions, the historical society curates an extensive collection of artifacts, books, and documents for its museum and research library, highlighting Virginia’s rich and complex history.
A notable addition to its collection came in 2018 when the VMHC received the Stewart and Bryan families’ archives. This extraordinary trove spans three centuries and includes over 2,300 volumes and 12,000 manuscript items such as personal correspondence, business records, and photographs. Among the materials are rare documents detailing the Stewart brothers’ business ventures—including tobacco, railroads, and turnpikes—as well as records tied to the slave trade in Virginia and Tennessee. The collection also features Joseph Bryan III’s papers, chronicling his correspondence with luminaries like E.B. White and Katherine Hepburn.
9. Virginia Center for the Book
946 Grady Ave. Ste. 100, Charlottesville, VA 22903
The Virginia Center for the Book, a program of Virginia Humanities and the state affiliate of the National Library of Congress, celebrates the transformative power of books and literacy. Through year-round initiatives, it supports reading, education, and literary arts across the state. Its flagship event, the Virginia Festival of the Book, held annually each March in Charlottesville, unites authors and readers from around the nation for a vibrant celebration of literature. The 2025 Festival, running March 20–23, will continue the Center’s tradition of showcasing diverse voices through free and accessible events for all.
10. Virginia Children’s Book Festival
Farmville, VA 23901
The Virginia Children’s Book Festival was created to inspire children to embrace reading and provide access to diverse books in a region where one in five adults is functionally illiterate, according to Visit Farmville. Over the years, the festival has become a beloved event, earning recognition as a 2023 Library of Congress Literacy Award Winner.
Traditionally held each October, the festival offers K-12 students the chance to meet acclaimed children’s book authors through free sessions across Longwood University’s campus.
11. New Dominion Bookshop
404 East Main St., Charlottesville, VA 22902
For nearly a century, New Dominion Bookshop has been a cornerstone of Charlottesville’s Historic Downtown Mall, delighting readers with its thoughtfully curated selection of books and gifts. Established in 1924, it holds the distinction of being Virginia’s oldest independent bookseller, blending rich history with a commitment to personal service. From its relocation to the Downtown Mall in 1926 by C.C. Wells to its modern stewardship under owner Julia Hoppe, the shop has remained a haven for book lovers.
Visitors can explore a handpicked collection of new titles across genres, alongside unique gifts, in a warm and inviting space steeped in literary tradition.
12. Beck’s Antiques & Books
321 Twin Lake Dr., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Beck’s Antiques and Books offers a fascinating journey into the past for collectors and history enthusiasts. For over 50 years, Bill and Susan Beck have curated rare and historical treasures, showcasing items that reflect the rich material culture of early America and beyond. Their collection includes standout pieces like an 18th-Century Italian, Latin, and French dictionary in its original leather binding with gilt-tooled spines and “Constantin Volney’s Travels Through Syria and Egypt, 1783–84,” complete with folding maps and engraved illustrations that evoke the allure of 18th-century exploration.
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