Westmoreland State Park

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Westmoreland State Park
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
284px
Potomac River shoreline within Westmoreland State Park
Location Virginia
Nearest city Montross
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Area 1,299 acres (5.26 km2)
Established June 1936
Governing body Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Westmoreland State Park Historic District
Nearest city Montross, Virginia
Area 1,299 acres (526 ha)
Built 1933 (1933)
Architectural style Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Modern Movement
NRHP Reference # 05001265[1]
VLR # 096-0089
Significant dates
Added to NRHP November 16, 2005
Designated VLR June 1, 2005[2]

Westmoreland State Park lies within Westmoreland County, Virginia. The park extends about one and a half miles along the Potomac River. The park covers 1,311 acres. The park's Horsehead Cliffs provide visitors with a panoramic view of the Potomac River. The park offers hiking, camping, cabins, fishing, boating and swimming.

History

Westmoreland State Park is one of the six original state parks opened in June 1936. The park was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Most of the roads and trails found in the park were originally dug by hand.[3] Located on the Northern Neck Peninsula, the park is close to George Washington’s birthplace and Stratford Hall, the birthplace Robert E. Lee.

The Tayloe and Helen Murphy Hall is a recently renovated restaurant built by the CCC in 1936. The facility contains exposed wood beams, wrought iron hardware, and a large fireplace. The restaurant has been renovated and now hosts meetings, special events, and educational programs. The hall is named for Tayloe Murphy, former delegate to the Virginia legislature and Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources, and his wife, Helen, both of whom are from Westmoreland, Virginia.[4]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, as a national historic district.[1] The property has 32 contributing buildings, 6 contributing sites, and 16 contributing structures.[5]

Attractions

  • Camping
  • Cabins
  • Hiking trails - 7 trails covering 6 miles
The park's popular "Beach Trail" leads from the Visitor Center to the shore of the Potomac, below the Horsehead Cliffs. Embedded in these cliffs are fossil remains of porpoises, whales, and sharks from as long as 15 million years ago. Erosion over time exposes these remains and hunting for shark's teeth is a popular activity for visitors.[6]
  • Pool
  • Beach area - on the Potomac River
  • Fishing
  • Boating - ramp available
  • History and Nature Programs
  • Gift Shop
  • Visitor Center

Lodging

Westmoreland State Park has 26 cabins available for renting. These range from one-room efficiency log cabins to two-bedroom log or cinderblock cabins.

The park has 133 camping sites available for tents or recreational vehicles.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. and Accompanying four photos and Accompanying map
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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