Agecroft Hall in Richmond

I'd had enough of the Civil War, so the last attraction in Richmond I chose to visit was from the late 15th century -- Agecroft Hall.

From their site: On the rolling banks of the James River stands a remarkable Tudor estate. And by Tudor, we're not simply referring to an architectural style. This manor house was actually built in Lancashire, England in the late 15th Century. For hundreds of years, Agecroft Hall was the distinguished home of England's Langley and Dauntesey families. At the end of the 19th century, however, Agecroft fell into disrepair, and in 1925 it was sold at auction. Hearing of this tremendous opportunity, Richmonder Thomas C. Williams, Jr. purchased the structure, and had it dismantled, crated, and shipped across the Atlantic, and then painstakingly reassembled in a Richmond neighborhood known as Windsor Farms. Today, Agecroft Hall stands beautifully re-created, in a setting reminiscent of its original site on Lancashire's Irwell River.

Now, this was my type of house.

Unfortunately, once again, I was not allowed to take pictures inside this maginificent home. Heck, we were barely allowed to breathe while in there. The tour guide was quite strict with her admonishings of what we could not do. Don't dare sit on the furniture, (I think that's a given at most historical sites) but dare ye not to brush against a wall, door, or furnishings, or face the wrath of the self-proclaimed lady of the house. With the rather large crowd ranging from toddler to senior, squeezed along tiny halls into tiny rooms, it was challenging for the guide. She spent a good portion of the tour making folks aware they were in too close proximity to something. I wished she would have spent more time on the actual furnishings and architecture of the home. The inside is extraordinary and when the guide said we were allowed to touch the banister as we walked upstairs, I caressed it the entire flight. At the end of the flight was the study...my dream room..wall to wall, floor to ceiling bookcases. From what I saw, I would be very happy living in that home.

There were outdoor gardens that were just beginning to bloom. I was allowed to take pictures outdoors...

I highly recommend visiting Agecroft Hall. The ten minute film at the beginning of the tour documenting how it came to be re-built in Richmond from Lancastershire is very interesting as well.

Berkeley Plantation

A couple of miles from Shirley Plantation we headed down another pebbled road to Berkeley Plantation.

The view from the back of Berkeley's main house

The plantation has quite a history, starting from 1619, and you can read about it here, but when you visit in person you can watch a film about it in the basement of the large estate. Behind the walls of the film projector, what was once an underground tunnel now sports a museum. I found it to be very interesting and informative. While you're waiting for the guided tour to begin, or after its ended, you can check out the Coach House and view some more exhibits, including info on their slaves, and other stuff including recommendations for restaurants. Fair warning...there are only two nearby.

A costumed tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting when we toured the inside of the home, but for me, the real star of Berkeley are its grounds.

You are allowed access to various gardens, a grave yard, the first Thanksgiving Shrine, historical markings, and the shores of the James River.

It's quite beautiful, so tranquil. I felt like I was standing still in time with my feet embedded in the sand and eyes gazing across the river experiencing what the early settlers felt and saw. With no one around, the soft lapping of the tiny waves, and bright sunlight dancing diamonds in the river, one could easily transport themselves into another history past. Very spiritual in nature.

Anyway, here's some photos and you can see for yourself what I'm trying to convey...

I never realized the extent of retribution the signers of the Declaration of Independence underwent

This is where Taps was written by a Union soldier. There's a recording you can play. It made me weep.

We spent more time here than we did at Shirley so we missed lunch and realized it was too late to see any other plantations. I sorta felt after the two we saw that day, you've seen two, you've seen enough. So, we decided we would partake in an early dinner. We drove to Charles City and stopped at a converted farmhouse restaurant which was set in the middle of plantations and farms called Charles City Tavern. Although they wouldn't start serving dinner for another hour they took pity on us and allowed us to sit at the tiny bar. After a drink we moved into a screened porch area that overlooked the peaceful landscape. Every once in a while a car would drive down the road, but the birds singing drowned them out. The staff was friendly, the food was excellent -- tasted farm fresh, generous portions, and selections you'd be surprised to find in the middle of nowhere -- well worth the wait, and I highly recommend it..

I'll close this post with this...

Virginia is indeed quite beautiful, but I still want to be buried back in Brooklyn...