Belle Grove

This National Trust Historic Site in the Shenandoah Valley played a role in the Civil War. Union General Philip Sheridan made Belle Grove his headquarters, and the Battle of Cedar Grove was fought on the grounds, which at that time comprised about 7500 acres. Situated on a rise overlooking the Great Wagon Road, south of Middletown, Va., Belle Grove (1797) belonged originally to Major Isaac Hite, Jr. and his wife, Nelly, the sister of James Madison. The Hites followed Thomas Jefferson’s design principles and used limestone quarried on the property to build the elegant centerpiece of their plantation.

Belle Grove is open seven days a week from April through October, with weekend tours in November and candlelight Christmas tours in December. Museum and quilting shops. Special events include: Easter Egg Hunt, Microbrew & Imported Beer Tasting Festival (May), Antique Show and Appraisal Service (Labor Day Weekend), and a full scale Civil War reenactment in October of the Cedar Creek Battle.