Discover Blackstone: History, Art, and Historic Museums

Blackstone combines historic buildings, museums, and lively art events into a destination offering an unusually wide range of discoveries. The historic district contains approximately 100 buildings. Those looking for a vacation rental in Blackstone can therefore focus on history, art, or a varied walking tour through the town during their stay.

Historic Traces in the Townscape

A prominent part of the town’s history is the former Blackstone College for Girls in the Blackstone Historic District. The building dates from 1922 and was constructed in the Georgian Revival style. It thus represents one specific architectural facet of the historic district, while other buildings reveal an earlier stage in the town’s development.

Blackstone in Nottoway County grew up around Schwartz Tavern, a landmark dating from the late 18th century. The building is 99 feet long and has been modified several times over the course of its history. Its interior is considered Federal in style, particularly based on the shape of the four mantelpieces on the ground floor. For visitors who enjoy examining individual details rather than just major attractions, Schwartz Tavern offers a particularly vivid insight into the town’s history.

A tour through historic Blackstone points out historic buildings with information plaques. The walk also includes Seay Park, which is considered a place to sit and relax. The Blackstone Antiques and Crafts Mall houses the visitor center of the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce. These stops can be incorporated into a personal exploration of the town without limiting the stay to a single museum.

Museums for Culture Enthusiasts

The Robert Thomas Carriage Museum is dedicated to restored vehicles. Its exhibition comprised a total of 35 restored vehicles by 2014; when the museum opened in September, it displayed 26 restored vehicles to the public. It is considered the second-largest public carriage exhibition in Virginia. The different figures refer to different points in the museum’s history and should be taken into account accordingly when planning a trip.

Another cultural destination is the Museum of the Virginia National Guard Collections Research Center. Admission is by appointment. If you would like to visit this museum, arranging a visit in advance is therefore an important part of sensible day planning. Accommodation in Blackstone can serve as a base for a stay whose individual activities you arrange according to your interests.

Art and Events

The Second Saturday Art Walk brings several shops, galleries, and other venues together for an organized, regularly held event. Artists present their work there; the art is typically offered for public sale. Live music, additional entertainment, and other activities accompany the Art Walk. For travelers who want to experience an event featuring art and the local business scene alongside historic buildings, this date adds a distinct highlight.

Blackstone is therefore particularly well suited to a trip planned around a combination of museum visits, architecture, and an event. When searching for a vacation rental, consider which focus should shape your stay: a historic tour, the carriage collection, a scheduled museum visit, or the Art Walk. This allows the various offerings to come together into a personal cultural stay without requiring you to limit yourself to a single attraction.

For the broader travel overview: Nottoway County.