Canal Basin Square – 249 Main Street – 434.286.9267
Canal Basin Square is an outdoor transportation history park featuring Virginia’s James River and Kanawha Canal story from the Monacans to the railroads. Exhibits explain river and canal travel in the 18th and 19th centuries and how different means of transportation affected Scottsville. On display is a replica of a James River batteau. and a scale-model demonstration canal lock. The park is also a Virginia Civil War Trails Site.
Hours: For self-guided tours, 7:00 a.m. to dark during Spring, Summer, and Fall when there is no chance of freezing weather. School field trips and guided tours are available by appointment, call 434.286.9267.
Hatton Ferry – 10120 Hatton Ferry Road
In-season hours: Hours: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Established in 1870, the Hatton Ferry is the last pole-operated ferry in America. The ferry operates on weekends from mid-April to mid-October and at other times by special arrangement. The ferry is located five miles from the Town of Scottsville.
Call the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society at 434.296.1492 or visit the website to make sure the ferry is in service. The ferry cannot operate when the water level in the James River is too high or too low.
Pine Knot – 711 Coles Rolling Road, Keene – 434.286.6106 (Paula Beazley)
Pine Knot is a rustic cottage four miles from the Town of Scottsville that served as the Albemarle County getaway for President Theodore Roosevelt and his family from 1905-1908. Visits are by appointment only.
Scottsville Museum – 290 Main St. – 434.286.2247
The Scottsville Museum is home to exhibits on James River transportation, local history, the Civil War, Native American artifacts, and photographs. Admission is free.
Hours: The museum is open April through October, Saturdays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sundays 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. The Museum is also open on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day or by appointment.
Scottsville’s Native American History
The Monacans were living in this area long before the first Scott of Scottsville. The Monacans are a combination of several tribes, who are all members of the Sioux (pronounced like the girl’s name, ‘Sue’) Nations. They worshiped the river as a bringer of life. The Town of Scottsville acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land where the town now exists, the Monacan Nation. The efforts of the Town today honor the Monacan elders past and present.
We continue to uphold their tradition and house many Monacan artifacts found along the James River in the Scottsville Museum. Monacan Nation website and Monacans at Scottsville Museum