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Charles City County, Virginia, is one of the oldest settled areas by English-speaking Europeans. This area was established in 1616 and has survived the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. It’s an area steeped in history, tradition and some of the oldest and rarest homes in the United States.
The James River Plantations are some of the finest examples of early architecture that can be seen today. Many of the homes are inhabited by families with roots that go back to the first settlers and patriots of this country.
Charles City County has been home to Indian, patriots, presidents, planters, slaves and free blacks. Chief Powhatan located his Capitol in this area. It was the largest confederation of Indians in the country. Pocahontas, Chief Powhatan’s daughter saved the life of Captain John Smith. Smith later wrote the country’s first history. Many famous early Americans came from this area.
Some of the finest plantations in the South are found near the James River which was the “highway” of those times. Planters used the river to bring supplies in, to take out goods to sell, to transport family and friends along the river to other homes and towns. Some of the most popular of these plantations will be covered here.
Berkeley Plantation
Berkeley is considered by some to be the most historic plantation in the country. Berkeley was settled in 1619 when thirty-eight men from Berkeley Parish in England landed on Virginia soil.
Berkeley is considered to be the home of the first official Thanksgiving. Benjamin Harrison, one of the signer’s of the Declaration of Independence, was born here. President William Henry Harrison, ‘Old Tippecanoe,’ was born here as well. In 1862 “Taps” was composed at Berkeley. The first ten presidents of the United States were honored at dinner here with the Harrison family.
The house is a 1726 Georgian manner that hosts a rare collection of period antiques. Lovely gardens have been restored and visitors can amble through them as they tour the house and grounds.
Berkeley Plantation is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and a restaurant and gift shop are on grounds.
Sherwood Forest Plantation
This plantation is first recorded in a 1616 land grant and was first known as Smith’s Hundred. It had several owners before it was bought by John Tyler in 1842. John Tyler became the tenth president of the United States when William Henry Harrison died in office. Tyler acquired the house and surrounding 1,600 acres from a cousin while he was still in office. He renamed the plantation ‘Sherwood Forest’ making a reference to his reputation as a political outlaw.
The house, circa 1730's, is the longest frame house in America. It has been restored and most of the period pieces seen here belonged to President Tyler and his young bride, Julia Gardiner. The house is still occupied by members of the Tyler family. Beautiful gardens and six of the original outbuildings surround this lovely old home.
The house and grounds are open for tours 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
North Bend Plantation
North Bend is a Federal Period Greek Revival style home. The house was built in 1819 by John Minge for his new wife Sarah Harrison, sister of William Henry Harrison the ninth president of the United States.
The home was used as Union Headquarters in 1864 by General Phillip Sheridan. There were more than 30,000 union troops in that area at the time. The Union troops dug ditches from Kittewan, a neighboring plantation, across North Bend to Weyanoke and the James River. A pontoon bridge was built across that river that allowed the union troops to cross and proceed to the battle at Petersburg.
The home is now a lovely bed and breakfast inn as well as a historical landmark. Group tours are available by appointment and grounds are open daily 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. daily.
Shirley Plantation
This plantation has been the home of the Hill-Carter family since 1660. The oldest plantation in Virginia, it dates back to a land grant of 1613.
The Queen Anne’s mansion was begun in 1723, the home that stands today is primarily in an original state. It is recognized as an architectural treasure, it’s flying staircase rises three storeys without any visible means of support. It’s the only one of it’s kind in America. Guided tours through the first floor show original family portraits, period furniture and silver. Guided relate the fascinating history of this family.
During the Revolutionary War, Shirley was a supply center for the Continental Army. Shirley was the birthplace of Ann Hill Carter who married Governor Henry “Light -Horse Harry” Lee from the front parlor. Their son Robert E. Lee was educated with his cousins at Shirley.
Four of the remarkable outbuilding can be seen on grounds. A large two-story brick summer kitchen, two L-shaped barns, a stable, smokehouse and root cellar. One of the barns house an ice cellar under it.
The grounds are open from 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Evelynton Plantation
These grounds were originally part of the much larger Westover Plantation owned by William Byrd. The plantation was named after his daughter Evelyn, it was assumed it was to be part of her dowry, but she never married.
Evelynton has been in the Ruffin family since 1847. Edmond Ruffin fired the first shot of the Civil War and is known as the father of American agronomy. The original house was destroyed during the Civil War, the current house was designed in the 1930's by architect Duncan Lee and then built on the original foundations.
This Georgian Revival house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is furnished with eighteenth century English and American pieces, arts and family silver. This is part of a 250-acre farm that is still worked by the Ruffin family.
The grounds and house are open daily form 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. for guided tours.
Charles City County in Virginia is one the leading areas of history and traditions in the Country, be sure to visit the fine plantations of this area.
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