The 1619 arrival of the ship 'Margaret' at Berkeley Hundred brought 38 settlers who held a mandated day of thanksgiving, predating the Plymouth Colony event.
During the Civil War, the bugle call 'Taps' was composed at this location by General Daniel Butterfield in 1862.
The mansion's exterior brickwork features a 'rubbed and gauged' finish, an expensive 18th-century technique.
The property contains a documented 'Pet Cemetery' used by the Harrison family over several generations.
The interior woodwork and original floors date back to the 1726 construction period.
The estate was once a massive tobacco plantation that utilized enslaved labor.
The mansion served as a hospital for Union troops during the Peninsula Campaign.
Berkeley Plantation is an 18th-century Georgian brick mansion located on the north bank of the James River in Virginia. The site is recognized as the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President. The grounds house the original 1726 mansion, which remained in the Harrison family for generations. Historical records indicate the first official Thanksgiving in North America was observed here by English settlers in 1619. During the American Civil War, the estate served as the headquarters for Union General George B. McClellan during the Peninsula Campaign. The property features extensive terraced gardens that descend toward the river. Visitors can explore the interior of the mansion and the surrounding 1,000-acre estate. It remains one of the oldest and most historically significant private residences in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The view from the rear terrace looking down the garden steps toward the James River.
Allow extra time to walk down the terraced gardens to reach the riverfront.
Wear comfortable, flat walking shoes as the grounds are uneven and gravel-heavy.
Check the official website for scheduled guided tour times, as house access is often limited to specific staff-led groups.
Do not attempt to explore the private family living areas or restricted outbuildings on the estate.
The site is typically closed on certain major holidays; check the website calendar for seasonal event closures.
Photography is generally prohibited inside the mansion house; please check with guides upon entry.
