Westmoreland State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westmoreland State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Potomac River shoreline within Westmoreland State Park
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| Location | Virginia |
| Nearest city | Montross |
| Area | 1,321 acres (5.35 km2) |
| Established | June 1936 |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
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Westmoreland State Park Historic District
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Cabin 7, one of the original CCC-built cabins in the park
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| Nearest city | Montross, Virginia |
| Area | 1,321 acres (535 ha) |
| Built | 1933 |
| Architect | Meyers, E.L. Jr.; et al. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001265 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 16, 2005 |
Westmoreland State Park lies within Westmoreland County, Virginia. The park extends about one and a half miles along the Potomac River. The park covers 1,321 acres. The park's Horsehead Cliffs provide visitors with a panoramic view of the Potomac River. The park offers hiking, camping, cabins, fishing, boating and swimming.
History
Westmoreland State Park is one of the six original state parks opened in June 1936. The park was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Most of the roads and trails found in the park were originally dug by hand. Located on the Northern Neck Peninsula, the park is close to George Washington's birthplace and Stratford Hall, the birthplace Robert E. Lee.
The Tayloe and Helen Murphy Hall is a recently renovated restaurant built by the CCC in 1936. The facility contains exposed wood beams, wrought iron hardware, and a large fireplace. The restaurant has been renovated and now hosts meetings, special events, and educational programs. The hall is named for W. Tayloe Murphy Jr., former delegate to the Virginia legislature and Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources, and his wife, Helen, both of whom are from Westmoreland, Virginia.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, as a national historic district. The property has 32 contributing buildings, 6 contributing sites, and 16 contributing structures.
Attractions
- Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking trails – 7 trails covering 6 miles
- The park's popular "Beach Trail" leads from the Visitor Center to the shore of the Potomac, below the Horsehead Cliffs. Embedded in these cliffs are fossil remains of porpoises, whales, and sharks from as long as 15 million years ago. Erosion over time exposes these remains and hunting for shark's teeth is a popular activity for visitors.
- Pool
- Beach area – on the Potomac River
- Fishing
- Boating – ramp available
- History and Nature Programs
- Gift Shop
- Visitor Center
Lodging
Westmoreland State Park has 26 cabins available for renting. These range from one-room efficiency log cabins to two-bedroom log or cinderblock cabins.
The park has 133 camping sites available for tents or recreational vehicles.
