History Comes Alive at Berkeley Plantation
Experience a by-gone era and eighteenth-century lifestyle
By Chris Murphy / Image from Berkeley Plantation/Gary Smith Images
Step back in time and explore Berkeley Plantation, Virginia’s oldest three-story brick mansion! Here, history comes alive for the whole family with exciting adventures and fascinating stories waiting around every corner.
Travel Back to the First Thanksgiving!
- Explore the story of the brave settlers who celebrated the very first official Thanksgiving right here at Berkeley in 1619.
- See a cool film and exhibits that bring this historic event to life!
Meet the Famous Harrisons!
- Discover the fascinating story of the Harrison family, who called Berkeley home for generations.
- Explore the mansion, beautifully decorated with 18th-century furniture, and meet costumed guides who will share stories about the Harrisons, including presidents and a signer of the Declaration of Independence!
Uncover Civil War Secrets!
- Imagine what it was like when over 100,000 Union soldiers camped at Berkeley during the Civil War.
- Learn the story of the haunting melody of “Taps,” created right here on the plantation, and stand on the hilltop where it all began!
- Explore the museum filled with interesting artifacts from Native American, colonial, and Civil War times.
Explore the Beautiful Grounds!
- Take a relaxing walk through Berkeley’s five terraced gardens, leading all the way down to the scenic James River.
- Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a peaceful afternoon by the water!
Bonus Activities!
- Get lost in our exciting corn maze (seasonal)!
- Pick your own pumpkin from our pumpkin patch (seasonal)!
- Find hidden treasures on a scavenger hunt!
- Browse through our gift shop for unique souvenirs!
Berkeley Plantation: Where Learning is Fun!
Berkeley Plantation offers a fun and educational experience for the whole family. With exciting tours, interesting exhibits, and beautiful grounds, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Plan your adventure today!
Open daily, year-round.
For more information and hours, visit our website: www.berkeleyplantation.com
This article: History Comes Alive at Berkeley Plantation has been curated from our friends at Go Williamsburg and the original in it's entirety can be found here: https://gowilliamsburg.com/history-comes-alive-at-berkeley-plantation/