Orange County’s first European settlement was Germanna, formed when Governor Alexander Spotswood settled 12 immigrant families from Westphalia, Germany in 1714. The settlement had a total of 42 people. Orange County later became the home of the 4th President of the United States and “Father of the Constitution”, James Madison. Madison built his home, Montpelier, a 2,700 acre estate just outside of the town of Orange and hosts an annual steeplechase in November.

Montpelier, Orange County, Virginia, Home of James Madison. Courtesy of The Montpelier Foundation. Photo by Aaron Watson.

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