Patrick Henry's Red Hill

Red Hill serves as a monument not only to a notable Founding Father but also to the deep history predating European colonization. This fertile land once thrived with Indigenous life, evidenced by Early Archaic and Late Woodland sites belonging to the Saponi peoples. Their settlements rivaled the grandeur of Patrick Henry's estate. Artifacts like Dan River Ware pottery and advanced hunting tools reflect a rich cultural legacy. Notably, a towering Osage orange tree, linked to ancient trade networks, stands near Henry's house, symbolizing the enduring Indigenous presence in the region. Tradition tells of an Indigenous man named James, whose lineage connects to Harrison Henry, an enslaved individual at Red Hill.