Today military buffs will enjoy being surrounded by over 15,000 international tank and cavalry artifacts dating from 1509 to the present at the American Armoured Foundation Tank Museum, likely the most extensive collection of international artifacts of this type in the world. Over 115 tank and artillery pieces, 150 machine guns, rifles, rocket launchers, hundreds of uniforms, banners and flags, small arms, hats and helmets, tank and artillery optical instruments and toys are on hand. Exhibits include the Treat ‘Em Rough WWI exhibit, Seek, Strike and Destroy-Tank Destroyers, Women in Uniform and Through the Eye of the Camera.

From there, it’s a short drive to the Tomahawk Winery, both a historic site and a winery. After returning from the Civil War, Confederate veteran James Anderson completed construction of a water-powered grist mill on Tomahawk Creek in 1888. His son Otey took over the mill in 1908 and greatly improved the operation by adding a concrete dam and steel waterwheel, along with French burr millstones. A cousin bought the mill in 1975 and continued operations until 1988 when he planted a vineyard. Soon, the sound of French millstones that worked for a hundred years gave way to the wine presses. Nearly two decades later, you will find Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Johannisberg Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon among the eleven different wines produced by the vineyard. Taste the wines and tour the vineyard and mill.

We have added one more quaint location on your agenda before leaving the area. Take the Walking Tour of Historic Chatham past 20 structures that date as far back as 1770. Beginning at the Pittsylvania County Courthouse at One North Main Street, the tour takes you through the original old town and through Wittleton, the first “suburb” of Chatham, named for James Whittle, an attorney, railroad promoter and state senator, who built the first house in the new area. Other notable structures include Mansfield, the home of Richard Farthing which served as a temporary courthouse and several historic homes that are now Bed and Breakfast Inns.

From there, we wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.