Visit Historic Plantations in Williamsburg

In addition to the popular historical attractions like Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg, there are also a number of other historical sites that make the perfect addition to any trip to Williamsburg. Due to its position in the South, the Williamsburg area contains a number of historic plantations that date back as far as the 1600s.

The James River Plantation group contains five plantation estates: Sherwood Forest, Westover, Shirley, Evelynton, and Berkeley. All of the plantations are located on Route 5 in historic Charles City County. Each plantation is in the National Register of Historic Places. The earliest plantation is Shirley, which was established in 1613 as Virginia’s first plantation. Shirley has seen eleven generations of the same family living and working the plantation, and the family still owns and operates the plantation today.

Berkeley plantation was built in 1726, but the land was in use long before that. In 1619, it was the spot of the first Thanksgiving dinner. Berkeley was also home to Benjamin Harrison, one of the original signers of the constitution, and later was the residence of President William Henry Harrison, the 9th U.S. President. The house is preserved in 18th century style and features 18th century furniture and decorations. Guided tours are available.

Westover and Evelynton were once one plantation, until William Byrd, the owner, created Evelynton for his daughter, Evelyn, after which it become its own plantation. Westover was built around 1730 by William Byrd II, who was the founder of Richmond. Westover is a classic Southern plantation, complete with ancient trees and landscaping. The house is not open for touring, but the grounds are. The original buildings of Evelynton were destroyed in a Civil War battle, and the current house was built in 1937. Evelynton is still an operating farm and is not available for touring.

Sherwood Forest was built in 1720 and was the home to the U.S. 10th President, John Tyler, after he bought it and the surrounding land in 1842. The house still retains many of the Tyler’s possessions on display. Sherwood Forest is still owned by the Tyler family, and descendents reside in the house today. Grounds and house tours are available for a fee.

These plantations have seen a number of historic events, ranging from Revolutionary War meetings to Civil War battles, making visiting these plantations a one-of-kind-experience.

No related posts.