Pembroke Manor, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pembroke Manor
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 Pembroke Manor
Location in Virginia
Pembroke Manor
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| Independent city | Virginia Beach |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Pembroke Manor is a historic area in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in the United States. It's located where Virginia Beach Boulevard and Independence Boulevard meet. The area gets its name from a very old house called Pembroke Manor, which was built way back in 1764.
Today, the original Pembroke Manor house is privately owned. It's used as a private Christian school for young children. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It's one of the oldest and most important buildings in Virginia Beach.
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How Pembroke Manor Grew
The Pembroke Manor area has changed a lot over the years. One of the first big buildings here was Princess Anne High School, which opened in 1954.
The Rise of Pembroke Mall
In 1966, Pembroke Mall opened. For a long time, it was the most famous landmark in the area. It had big department stores like Miller & Rhoads and Sears. There were also many other shops, from local favorites to national chains.
Changes in the Area
Later, in 1981, a new mall called Lynnhaven Mall opened in another part of Virginia Beach. This new mall became more popular than Pembroke Mall. For a while, the Pembroke Manor area was criticized for not being very friendly for people walking around.
Virginia Beach Town Center
Now, Pembroke Manor is home to the Virginia Beach Town Center. This is a big project that has brought many new shops and restaurants to the area. The goal of Town Center is to create a modern "downtown" feel in what has become a major business area of the city. It's designed to make the city's focus less about the Oceanfront resort area and more about this new central hub.
Modern Buildings and Fun Places
Town Center has tall buildings like the Armada Hoffler Tower and The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center. More are planned for the future. There's also a fancy apartment building called the Cosmopolitan. You can find many restaurants and a performing arts center here too, making it a lively place for everyone.
History of the Land
The land where Pembroke Manor stands was first given to Captain Adam Thoroughgood in 1635. This was part of a "land grant," a way the government gave land to people back then. Over many years, the land was divided among his family and sold to different owners.
Building Pembroke Manor House
In 1764, a man named Jonathan Saunders built the Pembroke Manor house. He had married Elizabeth Thoroughgood, who was a descendant of the original owner, Captain Adam Thoroughgood. Sadly, Jonathan Saunders died the very next year. His grave can still be seen today at the cemetery of Old Donation Church nearby.
A Loyalist's Story
Jonathan Saunders left his new home to his son, Captain John Saunders. During the American Revolutionary War, John Saunders was a "Loyalist." This meant he supported the British Crown, not the American colonists who wanted independence. Because of his strong support for the British, he was asked to leave Pembroke Manor and the colonies in 1779. He later moved to Canada and never returned to his home.
