New Tour: The Guinea Heritage Driving Tour
Now that all components of this project have been revealed, we would love to share a little bit about the new driving tour in Gloucester County. The Guinea Heritage Driving Tour takes visitors to the southeastern park of the county to an area called Guinea. With Guinea there are the communities of Achilles, Bena, Jenkins Neck, Maryus, Perrin, Rowes Haven, Severn, and Big Island. Stops along the route include a general store, churches, marinas, scenic overlooks, and local retail shops. This area of Gloucester has strong ties to the seafood industry & is home to many families who spend their days working on the water.
Photographs by: Consociate Media, Gloucester
This tour was developed by Parks, Recreation & Tourism in partnership with the Guinea Heritage Association. This tour consists of three parts, with an average completion time of less than two hours. There is a brochure map that can be found at many locations in Gloucester (see list below) including our visitor center & history museum, a virtual application that allows you to go to each stop and listen to informational segments that were recorded by locals. And lastly just this past week a sign was installed at Buck’s Store Museum which just so happens to be the first stop on the tour.
Photographs by: Visit Gloucester VA
The Guinea Heritage Association has worked to really inform not only locals but those that visit the area about the history and traditions of the area. With Buck’s Store Museum being a highlight of that process. Early morning you will still see a group of locals gathered out front for hot coffee and conversation. On most Saturdays the museum is open to the public and they serve up some of the best BBQ too! Seeing the pride and dedication to preserve a building and the history that still shines inside is heartwarming.
“I believe having this tour is a wonderful addition to the county. Guinea is a beautiful area that deserves to be showcased. I have loved being a part of the development of this tour and watching the work between the two organizations blossom into a great addition for this area. I encourage visitors to venture from route 17 and explore the unique area of Guinea, Virginia.”- Susan Ammons, Tourism Coordinator
We hope you take a day to take this tour and see why so many love living and visiting Guinea. For more information on the efforts, events, and history of the Guinea Heritage Association please visit their website at https://www.guineaheritage.org/
Tour maps can be found at the following locations:
Gloucester Visitor Center & Gift Shop- Main Street
Whitley’s Peanuts- Micro Visitor Center
Gloucester Museum of History- Main Street
Parks, Recreation & Tourism Office- 6382 Main Street
Hampton Inn
Machicomoco State Park
Warner Hall
YROC - Marina Store
Fairfield Foundation- Main Street