History

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New London has been part of Central Virginia’s story since 1754, when it was established as Bedford County’s first county seat. The community has witnessed major changes with history spanning nearly three centuries, from the era of the American Revolution into the twentieth century. Its story has also revolved around people from many different walks of life. Farmers, merchants, craftsmen, soldiers, educators, enslaved and free African Americans, and some famous characters such as Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, who all contributed to the community that developed here.

Although New London no longer looks exactly as it did centuries ago, several of its historic buildings still stand today.
One of these buildings is Mead’s Tavern, the oldest standing structure in Central Virginia and a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Liberty University purchased the tavern in 2015, and since then it has been the subject of extensive historical and archaeological research. Students have played an important role in this ongoing work, helping uncover new information about the tavern and everyday life in early Virginia.

Come learn about the ongoing research and preservation of Mead’s Tavern and explore the many other historic sites that make up New London! Join Friends of New London and Liberty University for New London Day on October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is a great opportunity to experience local history, learn about student research, and explore New London’s historic buildings inside and out.

For more information, check out the New London Day page by clicking the link below!
https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/humanities/history/new-london-projects/new-london-day/

Image 1: Bedford Alum Springs Hotel
Image 2: Mead’s Tavern

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Columbus Day commemorates the difficult voyage of Christopher Columbus, who landed in the Americas in 1492 aboard the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. The holiday has long been associated with both Columbus`s journey and the heritage of Italian Americans, honoring their achievements and contributions. Although the day had been observed previously, it did not become a federal holiday until 1937. Originally celebrated on October 12, it was moved in 1971 to the second Monday of October.

Over time, the holiday has become increasingly controversial. Many Native Americans and others oppose its celebration because of its association with European colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, and other conflicts and developments that followed Columbus`s arrival in the Americas. In response, Indigenous Peoples` Day was established to recognize and honor Native American cultures and traditions. In 2021, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to issue an official proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples` Day. While it is not a federal holiday, many communities now observe Indigenous Peoples` Day alongside Columbus Day.

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Looking back on history can sometimes feel like navigating a map on the interstate. There are connected exits and off-ramps until you wonder, “How do I get where I’m going?” The start of the Second World War can also feel like this. It’s not as straightforward as we’d like it to be. So how did the Second World War come about?

German resentment over the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Fascism and militarism, and policies of appeasement on the part of Britain and France converged into one of the deadliest global conflicts in human history. A humiliated Germany was reeling from the defeat of the First World War and a global economic depression. The “National Socialist German Workers Party,” or Nazis, became the largest party in the Reichstag, and Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933, enabling their program of dismantling democratic institutions.

Fueled by Nazi beliefs in racial and national superiority, Hitler’s efforts to expand the boundaries of Germany met with a policy of appeasement, which resulted in the annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938. But that was not enough for Hitler’s vision of a future world power. German expansion continued with the annexation of Austria in 1938 and the occupation of the Czech lands in 1939. But when Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, Britain and France declared war.

The road to war is never a straight one and is often arrived at through more than one avenue. There was no single, isolated cause for the start of the Second World War, but rather a web of circumstances, ambitions, and fears that would ultimately cause the global conflict to unfold in the way we know it today.