Nottoway County, Virginia

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Nottoway County, Virginia

Virginia local guide

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SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA

Nottoway County

Historic courthouse village, railroad towns, and small-town Southside character in Virginia’s Piedmont.

Region
Virginia’s Southside

Type
County

County seat
Nottoway

Known for
Historic towns, rail heritage, and architecture

Nottoway County is a rural Southside destination shaped by crossroads, railways, and its three incorporated towns: Blackstone, Crewe, and Burkeville. It makes a good stop for visitors interested in Virginia’s smaller historic communities, with a compact collection of local museums, historic streetscapes, and landmarks rather than a single large visitor attraction. The county was formed from Amelia County in 1788, and its name derives from the Nottoway people.

For a first visit, focus on Blackstone’s historic district and carriage museum, then add Crewe for its railroad museum and railroad-era downtown. The county seat village of Nottoway offers a striking 19th-century courthouse. Check directly with museums and local visitor sources before setting out: opening arrangements and tours can vary, and some historic properties are private.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Plan a trip to Nottoway County

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Why visit Nottoway County?

Nottoway County suits travelers who enjoy exploring at a measured pace: walk a historic town center, visit a local museum, and take in the architecture and stories of the surrounding countryside. Blackstone and Crewe each reflect a different chapter of local development—one growing around an early tavern and later rail connections, the other laid out as a railway town.

The county’s appeal is especially strong for visitors interested in transportation and local history. Its historic resources include a courthouse, taverns, railroad-era commercial districts, and historic farmsteads. Not every listed historic property is open to visitors, so treat the wider historic landscape as a reason to explore respectfully—not as a promise of public access.

What to see and do

Blackstone’s historic district

Explore the commercial and residential streets of Blackstone, where the town grew around Schwartz Tavern and expanded with the arrival of the Norfolk and Western Railway. The district includes early-20th-century commercial buildings and a range of historic homes. Follow local guidance and respect private property.

Robert Thomas Carriage Museum

In Blackstone, this museum presents a collection of restored horse-drawn vehicles assembled by local educator and collector Robert B. Thomas Jr. The museum’s visitor information lists appointment arrangements and separate weekday and Saturday hours; confirm current access before visiting.

Historic Schwartz Tavern

Schwartz Tavern is an early landmark associated with Blackstone’s beginnings. Its long, altered building includes an early-19th-century dwelling section and a ballroom addition. The local visitor site asks guests to call to arrange a tour, so contact the town before planning a stop.

Crewe Railroad Museum and Veterans’ Memorial Park

Crewe’s museum celebrates the railroad workers and community connected with the Norfolk and Western Railway. The town’s visitor guide describes indoor railroad artifacts and photographs alongside outdoor rail equipment at the museum in Veterans’ Memorial Park. Check the town’s current visitor information before making the trip.

Nottoway County Courthouse

In the county seat village of Nottoway, the courthouse completed in 1843 is a notable example of Roman Revival design, with architectural details reflecting Thomas Jefferson’s influence on Virginia public buildings. It remains a working courthouse; check local information and observe public-building rules if viewing the exterior.

Crewe Commercial Historic District

Crewe’s commercial core developed alongside the railroad. The district includes the former Norfolk and Western Railway yard at its edge, as well as the town’s commercial streets. It offers context for the rail museum and a useful way to understand how transportation shaped the town.

History and character

The area that became Nottoway County was associated with the Nottoway people before English settlement. The county historical association describes the name as an Anglicized form of “Nadowa,” and records the area’s transition from Nottoway Parish, then part of Amelia County, to a separate county by legislative act in 1788. The Nottoway people’s history is broader than the county that bears their name; Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources documents Nottoway history and affiliated sites in the state’s interior Coastal Plain.

Rail transportation helped shape the county’s towns and economy. Blackstone developed as a commercial and shipping center after the growth of the railway system, while Crewe was planned in 1888 by Norfolk and Western Railway engineers as a divisional point. The historic register notes that Crewe’s commercial core formed rapidly around the railroad and its workers.

Planning a visit

Nottoway County is best approached as a self-guided, small-town itinerary. Choose one or two stops rather than assuming every historic property or museum is open for walk-in visits. For tours of Schwartz Tavern, the local visitor site asks visitors to call ahead; for the carriage museum and Crewe Railroad Museum, verify the latest hours and access details with the operators or town visitor information.

Historic-register listings are not a visitor-access directory. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources notes that many listed properties are private dwellings and are not open to the public; some may be viewed from public rights-of-way. Keep to public areas and seek permission before approaching private sites.

Nearby places and attractions

• Blackstone, Virginia — the county’s best base for exploring the historic district, Schwartz Tavern, and the Robert Thomas Carriage Museum.
• Farmville, Virginia — a nearby Southside town with its own downtown and regional visitor attractions.
• Prince Edward County, Virginia — explore more of the surrounding Southside countryside and historic communities.
• Virginia’s Southside — regional context for Nottoway and neighboring communities.
• Virginia Civil War Trails — a broader route through Virginia’s Civil War history; check individual site access before visiting.

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References

External links

• Nottoway County official website
• Visit Blackstone, official town visitor information
• Town of Crewe official website
• Virginia Department of Historic Resources: Nottoway County listings
• Nottoway County Historical Association