Courtland VirginiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Courtland, Virginia.
1. Rawls Museum Arts
CREATIVE CULTURAL HUB
Rawls Museum Arts stands as a prominent cultural institution in Courtland, showcasing diverse artistic expressions and local talent. The museum features rotating exhibits that highlight both regional and national artists throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy various art forms including paintings, sculptures, and interactive installations in this community-focused venue.
2. The Peanut Patch
LOCAL PEANUT SPECIALTY SHOP
The Peanut Patch is a beloved specialty gift shop in Courtland that celebrates Virginia's peanut heritage with a wide array of peanut-based products. Visitors can browse through gourmet peanut confections, regional souvenirs, and locally crafted gifts in this charming establishment. The shop has earned a stellar reputation among locals and tourists alike, as evidenced by its impressive 4.8 rating.
3. Courtland Baptist Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
Courtland Baptist Church is a significant religious landmark featuring impressive Romanesque Revival brick architecture. The church serves as both a spiritual center for the community and a notable historical structure within the Courtland Historic District. Behind the church lies a Confederate burial ground, adding to the site's historical significance.
4. Mahone's Tavern and Museum
18TH CENTURY HISTORICAL SITE
Mahone's Tavern and Museum, constructed in 1796, stands as one of the oldest houses in Southampton County, built using 'heart' pine wooden dowels and hand-forged nails. The historic structure now serves as a museum preserving the rich history of the area through various exhibits and artifacts. Visitors can step back in time while exploring this well-preserved example of late 18th-century architecture and craftsmanship.
5. Cattashowrock Town
NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER
Cattashowrock Town functions as the cultural center and museum of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe in the Courtland area. The site offers visitors an immersive experience into Native American heritage through educational exhibits, artifacts, and cultural demonstrations. This important cultural institution helps preserve and share the rich history and traditions of the Cheroenhaka people.
6. Historic Courtland Walking Tour
SELF-GUIDED TOWN EXPLORATION
The Historic Courtland Walking Tour guides visitors through the charming Courtland Historic District, which encompasses 284 contributing resources across 135 acres along the east bank of Nottoway River. Participants can admire diverse architectural styles including American Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Federal, Italianate, Gothic Revival, and Victorian as they stroll through this nationally recognized historic area. The tour showcases the town's rich history through its courthouse, churches, commercial buildings, and historic residences dating from various periods.
7. St. Luke's Episcopal Church
GOTHIC REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, built in 1906, stands as a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture in Courtland's historic district. The church features large, beautifully crafted stained glass windows and a distinctive steeple clad in wooden shingles. Originally associated with the town's main burial ground, Riverside Cemetery, St. Luke's remains an important religious and architectural landmark in the community.
8. Riverside Cemetery
HISTORIC MEMORIAL GROUNDS
Riverside Cemetery serves as the main burial ground for Courtland, originally established in connection with St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The cemetery offers a peaceful setting for reflection while providing insights into the town's history through its grave markers and monuments. Visitors can explore this historic site to learn about prominent local figures and the development of the Courtland community over time.
9. Courtland United Methodist Church
COLONIAL REVIVAL SANCTUARY
Courtland United Methodist Church stands adjacent to St. Luke's Episcopal, featuring impressive Colonial Revival architecture with a distinctive central tower. The church serves as both an active place of worship and a notable architectural element within the Courtland Historic District. Its presence contributes to the town's collection of diverse ecclesiastical structures from the 20th century.
10. Helping Hand Cemetery
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE SITE
Helping Hand Cemetery, established in 1897 on the north side of Courtland, holds special significance as a burial ground created specifically for African Americans. The one-acre cemetery preserves an important aspect of local history, reflecting the social structures and community development of the late 19th century. Visitors can pay respects while learning about the contributions of African Americans to the Courtland area's cultural and historical fabric.
11. Heritage Village/Agriculture & Forestry Museum
RURAL LIFE EXHIBITS
The Heritage Village/Agriculture & Forestry Museum in nearby Suffolk offers a fascinating glimpse into rural Virginia life through its collection of historic buildings and agricultural implements. Visitors can explore restored structures including a one-room schoolhouse, country store, and blacksmith shop that have been carefully preserved. The museum celebrates the region's agricultural heritage while educating guests about traditional farming practices and forestry techniques that shaped the area.
12. Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
NATURAL WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 112,000 acres of forested wetland just a short drive from Courtland. Visitors can explore this ecological treasure through hiking trails, wildlife observation platforms, and paddling routes while experiencing one of the last remaining wild areas in the eastern United States. The refuge provides critical habitat for numerous species including black bears, bobcats, and over 200 types of birds throughout the year.
13. Planters Peanut Center
ICONIC PEANUT EMPORIUM
The Planters Peanut Center in nearby Suffolk celebrates the region's peanut industry heritage with its nostalgic shop featuring fresh-roasted Virginia peanuts and specialty products. Visitors can watch peanuts being roasted in the original roasters while browsing through an impressive selection of peanut candies, gifts, and souvenirs. The shop operates near the birthplace of the Planters Peanut Company, offering both a shopping experience and a connection to the area's agricultural history.
14. The Nottoway Indian Tribe Pow Wow
ANNUAL CULTURAL CELEBRATION
The Nottoway Indian Tribe Pow Wow brings the living heritage of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) people to life through an annual gathering featuring traditional dancing, music, and cultural demonstrations. Visitors can experience authentic Native American crafts, foods, and storytelling during this vibrant celebration of indigenous culture. The event provides a meaningful connection to the original inhabitants of the region while educating the public about the continuing presence and traditions of the Nottoway people.
15. Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum
RAILWAY HERITAGE EXHIBITS
The Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum preserves the region's railway history through exhibits housed in a restored 1885 passenger station just a short drive from Courtland. Visitors can explore vintage rail cars, examine historical photographs, and learn about the crucial role railroads played in developing the communities of southeastern Virginia. The museum features authentic railroad artifacts, interactive displays, and meticulously recreated scenes from the golden age of rail travel.