Sussex County, Virginia
More actions
Region
Virginia's Southside
Type
County
Historic towns
Waverly, Wakefield, Stony Creek and Jarratt
Known for
Railroad history, historic sites and outdoor recreation
Sussex County is a rural Southside destination where small railroad towns, historic buildings and wooded landscapes make for a quieter kind of Virginia visit. The county was formed from Surry County in 1754; today, Waverly, Wakefield, Stony Creek and Jarratt offer starting points for exploring its local history and community attractions.[1]
Plan a visit around a museum or historic district, then leave time for the region’s parks, waterways and outdoor activities. The county describes local recreation that includes fishing, boating, swimming, hunting and sports facilities; check with individual venues before setting out, since access and schedules can change.[2]
Plan a trip to Sussex County
Why visit Sussex County?
Sussex County suits travelers interested in local history and small-town exploration rather than a single large attraction. Its story spans Indigenous presence, colonial settlement, rail expansion and Civil War activity. The county’s four incorporated towns grew around railway depots, while historic registers document sites ranging from archaeological places to houses and downtown districts.[3][4]
The experience is spread across the county. A practical visit can pair a museum or walk around Waverly with a look at the courthouse area or an arts program in Wakefield. For outdoor recreation, use county and venue information to identify current public access and facilities before traveling.
What to see and do
Miles B. Carpenter Folk Art Museum
In Waverly, the museum preserves and presents the work of folk artist Miles B. Carpenter. Confirm current visiting arrangements and programming with the museum before you go.[5]
Waverly Downtown Historic District
Explore the town’s historic downtown streetscape. The district is listed by Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources; treat this as a self-guided look at the area, not an assumption that individual buildings are open to visitors.[6]
Sussex Courthouse Historic District
The courthouse district brings together county-government buildings and historic residences around the courthouse area. Check local information before visiting, as the listing does not imply that buildings are open for tours.[7]
Wakefield Foundation Center for the Arts
The Wakefield Foundation supports local arts and community activity in the former Wakefield High School building. Its offerings include events and classes; check its official site for current programming and access information.[8]
County parks and outdoor recreation
Sussex County describes opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming and other outdoor activities. The county’s parks and recreation pages are useful starting points, but confirm current facilities, rules and access before planning a visit.[9]
History and character
The county’s history is layered. English settlement expanded south of the Blackwater River around the turn of the eighteenth century, on land already inhabited by the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) and other Native peoples. Sussex was created from part of Surry County in 1754. The county’s historical account also records the presence of Africans, both enslaved and free, in its early population and notes Quaker and Methodist efforts toward emancipation in the decades after 1776.[10]
Railways reshaped the county during the nineteenth century. The Petersburg and Weldon Railway ran through the western part of Sussex, while the Norfolk and Petersburg line connected communities including Wakefield and Waverly. The towns of Waverly, Wakefield, Stony Creek and Jarratt developed around these rail connections and depots.[11]
The Civil War also reached local rail lines and communities. The county’s account describes the destruction of Jarratt’s Depot in May 1864 and continuing military efforts to disrupt rail traffic. Historic resources listed for Sussex today include the courthouse district, Waverly’s downtown district, the Miles B. Carpenter House, and archaeological and residential sites.[12][13]
Planning a visit
Sussex County’s attractions are distributed among its towns and countryside, so plan on driving between stops. Choose a town or museum as an anchor, then check the official county, museum or venue pages for current hours, events, access rules and directions. Historic-register status alone does not mean a private property or historic building is open to the public.
For outdoor activities, verify that the specific park or facility is open and that the activity you have in mind is permitted. The county’s recreation information describes a range of local options, but conditions and facilities may vary by site and season.[14]
Nearby places and attractions
Petersburg, Virginia
A nearby city with historic sites and museums; check individual attractions for current visitor information.
Emporia, Virginia
Explore another Southside community south of Sussex County.
Greensville County, Virginia
A neighboring county to the south, useful for extending a Southside road trip.
Surry County, Virginia
Sussex County’s neighbor to the northeast and part of the region’s earlier colonial story.
Colonial Williamsburg
A larger history-focused excursion in the wider region; confirm travel plans and attraction details separately.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Sussex History, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Recreation, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Sussex History, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Sussex (County), Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Welcome to our Website, Miles B. Carpenter Museum. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Sussex (County), Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Sussex History, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ The Wakefield Foundation, Inc., The Wakefield Foundation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Recreation, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Sussex History, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Sussex History, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Civil War History, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Sussex (County), Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Recreation, Sussex County, Virginia, Sussex County, Virginia. Retrieved October 23, 2026.