Greene County was formed in 1838 and named for Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary War fame Stanardsville has always been the county seat.

 

In 1716, Governor Alexander Spotswood and his “Knights of the Golden Horseshoe” traveled through Greene on their historic expedition to the summit of the Blue Ridge Mountains, reaching Swift Run Gap, a short distance from Stanardsville.

 

Swift Run Gap was used by General Stonewall Jackson during the Civil War to shift troops from the Shenandoah Valley to the piedmont battle areas. The Battle of Stanardsville took place in 1864 and there are several buildings and sites related to the battle and the Civil war in general,.

 

During the War Between the Sates, Greene County furnished two companies of infantry and several men in various cavalry and artillery units for the defense of Virginia.

 

Today, Greene County has several Civil War reenactors who support and host the annual reenactment Battle of Stanardsville.