On Rick Britton’s Navigator Tours, history comes alive in a way that’s intended to feel personal, engaging, and fun. The award-winning historian creates customized experiences that invite people in, sparking curiosity and connection.
“I would explain [the tours] as immersive, but also a friendly conversation,” says Britton. “I like to stimulate conversations with guests and gauge their level of expertise and interest, which helps me determine what to tell them.”
Britton’s historical knowledge has been shaped over a lifetime. His initial interest was piqued around the time of the Civil War centennial when his grandmother first introduced him to the history of the war. She sent books and magazines from Richmond while he lived throughout the United States and sometimes spent time in Argentina. What began then has expanded into a strong focus on Virginia’s Piedmont, the Civil War, and the life of Thomas Jefferson, about which he has written extensively.
“Every single tour is different,” Britton said. “I meet people from all over the world… there are different experiences, different questions.” That variety allows him to tailor each experience in real time.
His tours at various historic sites throughout the Commonwealth are layered with both well-known moments and lesser-known facts. “Most people don’t want minute details,” he says. “They want interesting, different, sometimes weird stories -- and those are some of my favorites.” Even after decades of leading tours, he’s still researching, still writing, and still uncovering new pieces to share.
That same dedication shows up in his work as a cartographer. Inspired by 19th-century maps, Britton taught himself to draw them by hand, an increasingly rare craft. “There’s hardly anybody else who is drawing maps for publication these days,” he said, noting that his work has been used in books, including novels, and he sometimes even guides visitors with maps he created himself.
Britton’s overall goal is simple. “Hopefully [guests] feel like they’ve learned a whole lot and have a new understanding,” he said. “After all, Virginia history is American history.”
For more information, visit RickBritton.com. For direct inquiries, reach out at 434-320-3999 or RHBritton@aol.com.