This historical landscape hasn't really changed in the past 250 years. The Factor Store has gone through many transitions from a tobacco inspection facility and general store, to private homes, to the Urbanna Library and, finally, to the museum you see today. The Factor Store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walk up to the site and enjoy the view - and discover its history and charm.

More than 200 years ago, Virginia Street was called "Prettyman's Rolling Road." Laborers rolled "hogsheads" - barrels of tobacco - downhill to the merchant ships or uphill from the ships to the inspection office and store.

Caption of picture in upper left hand corner

Rolling the hogsheads (barrels) was hard work. Do you think any hogsheads got away? How would you stop one?

Marker can be reached from Old Virginia Street near Cross Street (Virginia Route 227), on the right when traveling east.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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