Hanover County was formed on November 26, 1720 by "An Act for Dividing New Kent County." Hanover County was named in honor of King George I, the first British monarch from the House of Hanover, who ruled over Great Britain and its colonies from 1714 to 1727.

Hanover County was the birthplace and a residence of Patrick Henry, whose concluding argument in the Parsons' Cause case of 1763 (held in the Historic Hanover Court House) may be said to have been the beginning of the American Revolution in Virginia, and made Hanover County a focal point in the Revolutionary movement.
A Conversation with
Author Dr. Jon Kukla
& Judge David B. Caddell Jr.

Sunday, July 13, 2:30 p.m.
Hanover Tavern's Bradley Theater
The Private Dinner with the Author
in the Arch Room is SOLD OUT

Visit our Events Page for more information!
The Hanover Tavern, Polegreen Church and Rural Plains are a few of the many Hanover landmarks that predate the Revolution, and the battles of Gaines' Mill, Totopotomoy Creek and Cold Harbor (among others) were fought in Hanover County during the Civil War.

Join or renew your membership to the Hanover County Historical Society for two years and receive a complimentary book! Visit our Membership page for details.

2025 PARSONS' CAUSE FOUNDATION SCHEDULE

Every Spring and Summer, the Parsons' Cause Foundation puts on a series of historical re-enactments at Hanover County's Historic Courthouse. These performances depict figures from American history and are free, but seating is limited, and they always fill up in a hurry. These performances are all on Saturdays, and begin at 10am. Visit the Parsons' Cause Foundation's website for full details.

June 21 The Parsons' Cause Trial (High School Cast)
July 5 Julia Child
July 19 Thomas Jefferson
August 2 The Reverend Samuel Davies
August 16 The Marquis de Lafayette
June 28 Maggie Walker
July 12 General George Patton
July 26 Patrick Henry
August 9 Elizabeth Ege
August 23 The Parsons' Cause Trial (Adult Cast)
HISTORIC COURTHOUSE TOURS

Hanover County's Historic Courthouse is open for free tours once a month, from 10am 'til 2pm. Society Docents will be available to tell the story of this icon of American history, and under most circumstances will be happy to also give tours of the Old Stone Jail, which is next to the courthouse.

If you're interested in a tour for your group or family on a different day, please reach out to us on our Contact page and we'll work with you!
2025 Courthouse Tour Dates

Thursday, July 10
Thursday, August 14
Thursday, September 11
Thursday, October 9
Thursday, November 13

Won't you join us?

The HCHS Online Store Is OPEN!
Visit our ONLINE STORE to pay for Membership, purchase tickets to Society events, and purchase many of the Society's publications!

Please visit our Publications page for a list of all available Society publications, and information about how they can be purchased.

Save the date!
We've set the dates for our 2025 schedule of events! Information regarding locations and presentations will be posted as they develop.

Sunday, July 13: Membership Meeting
Hanover Tavern, 2:30pm
Tuesday, September 9:
Gala & Patrick Henry Leadership Awards
Thursday, December 4: Annual Meeting & Dinner

Please visit our Events page for more information.
A 2010 article about Broaddus Flats: click here to read!
A 1997 article that refutes the 1957 claim of "Discovery of Ancient Chapel Under Fork Church Revealed!" Click here to read!
A 1957 article about the remains of a chapel dating to 1721 being discovered under Fork Church: Click here to read all about it!
Check out our Archives page, where articles previously featured at this site, links to Society YouTube videos and other treasures can be found!

Click here to download a PDF version of the Hanover County Historical Society's March, 2025 issue of Highlights!
Check out the Hanover County Historical Society's Facebook page, always up to date with the latest info!