Virginia’s Pioneers & Defining Moments

As America’s first federal public works project, the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse guided ships through one of Virginia’s key trade gateways.

In 1784, Virginia native James Hemings traveled to Paris with Thomas Jefferson, becoming the first American trained in French cuisine.

Before beer and barbecues, the first tailgate happened in 1861—on a Virginia battlefield during the First Battle of Bull Run.

Grace Hopper, pioneer of computer science, lived in Virginia later in life and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.