Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

About a dozen or so years ago, one Fourth of July’s main event was way too close to a Christmas song to ignore. Y’all remember the 1979 hit by Elmo & Patsy, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer?” Well, my mom nearly rebranded it to: “Mama Got Run Over by a Lil’ Deer.” 

The fireworks had just started in Danville, reflecting off of the Dan River in colorful awe. My parents, brother, and sister-in-law, along with my date, were watching the show from a picnic blanket, when out of the thicket burst a fast fawn. It bounced through the crowd and up the hill, staring straight at my mother. 

Why mom didn’t move, I couldn’t tell you (maybe she felt like a deer in the headlights). The baby deer jumped right at her, clipping her shoulder before hopping along on its merry good way. I hope your holiday’s great—albeit, less eventful. Either way, I’m so glad you’re here.

Here’s what you need to know: What better way to kick off Independence Day than highlighting the birthplaces and homes of United States presidents born in Virginia? 

Our top picks:

• Boasting approximately 11,000 square feet of living space, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello dazzles guests with dozens of rooms, 13 skylights, a spectacular Dome Room, and more. Designed and redesigned by the president himself, Jefferson lived in the home both before and after his years in the White House, 1801 to 1809.

• The nation’s first president was born in the Northern Neck of Virginia. While the original structure overlooking Popes Creek no longer stands, there is an outline of the home’s foundation on the ground. Visitors to the national monument can explore what life was like in the 1730s.

• Our nation’s 28th president called Staunton home—now, his house is a site where history and hands-on learning meet. The campus hosts events for the community often, ranging from engaging World War I lectures to a conversation over tea about women’s suffrage. 

Ready to explore? Several presidential homes and birthplaces offer tours of the property. You can learn more about these historic places at our link in bio. 

Question of the Week: What’s your most festive Fourth of July memory? Write to me and let me know at amie@couriernewsroom.com. 

So you’re ready to watch the fireworks, but have you taken the necessary steps to cast your ballot this fall? It’s easy to find out if you’re registered to vote in the commonwealth—and it’s a quick click away if you discover you aren’t. 

You can check your registration status with a brief visit to the Virginia Department of Elections website. The secure online form will request your first and last name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, and address of where you live in Virginia. It’ll also ask that you check a box stating that you’re requesting the information for yourself—not on behalf of someone else. 

After you submit the form, you’ll be able to double-check your voter registration. You’ll also be able to see important information, like which districts you’re in, contact info for your local general registrar’s office, and where to cast your ballot. 

If you aren’t registered to vote, you’ve come to the right place. Just click on our link below to learn more about the quick and easy process. 

• From the 17th century through the mid-19th century, enslaved African Americans in the United States resisted bondage by seeking freedom through self-emancipation. These freedom seekers, along with their allies, formed the Underground Railroad—a network that played a crucial role in dismantling slavery and inspiring the Civil Rights Movement (READ MORE HERE).

• The country’s first Black governor, Virginian L. Douglas Wilder, is the grandson of enslaved people and lived through Jim Crow. He believes it’s vital, as Republicans crack down on teaching about America’s diverse past, for us to study the nation’s history (WATCH HERE).

• Richmond’s colonial past lives on in its cobblestone streets and historic sites—including some voting precincts. One precinct, in particular, connects voters to a landmark with deep roots, thanks to a congregation that predates the founding of the United States (READ MORE HERE).

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