Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia

The book surveys the commonwealth's physical regions, waterways, climate, and natural and human resources to explain how geography shaped livelihoods. It traces exploration and colonization, colonial development, the Revolutionary era, state and national constitutional arrangements, antebellum changes, the War Between the States, Reconstruction, and twentieth-century developments. Economic chapters examine the workforce, principal industries, agriculture, fisheries and transportation networks that connected ports and inland areas. Cultural sections describe literature, visual and performing arts, architecture and educational institutions. Political material summarizes the state constitution, bill of rights, election procedures, state and local government structures, the amendment process and official symbols.