Westover and Berkeley Plantations

The weather was warm and sunny yesterday, and we took a drive along Plantation Road to visit Westover. Plantation Road was about 30 minutes from the RV park, and it was a pretty drive.

Along the way we saw signs directing us to about half a dozen different plantations. From my review of the associated websites, I knew that some of them are still private residences, owned by the original families, and that only some were open to the public. At Westover, we were on the honor system as to our $5 admission fee, and we strolled the grounds on our own. There were some folks there working on maintenance, but otherwise, we saw and spoke to no one.

Okay, now if you've got any ideas about litigation, just turn around right now and head back the other direction. There'll be none of that funny business here.

There were a couple of informational signs at the entry gate, but you can learn more about the place at this link right here.

It was built right on the shores of the James River. Looking to the left, you see this:

Turn and look to the right, and you see this:

Turn directly around, and you see this sprawling mansion.

It was such a pretty day, and we enjoyed strolling the grounds here. To the right of the house was this structure, built mostly below ground.

My first thought was "potato cellar," but actually...

It was an ice house.

Inside, was a wide and deep pit where ice was stored.

To the left of the ice house was this structure.

And this well was so deep, we couldn't see the bottom. Climb down that ladder to find the tunnels they would have used in case of attacks by Indians.

To the right of the well house was a barn. I watched a woman saddle up a horse and ride off.

To the right side of the barn, this one eyed me suspiciously.

Turning directly around, I could see back to the main house.

To the left side of the barn was this structure, but no indication of its function.

Walking back toward the house was this small structure.

A sign identified it thus:

Okay, now this I gotta see. Going through the door, one ascends a couple of steps.

Inside...oh my gosh. Really? Of course, the fire would have been warm on a cold winter morning.

But honestly...a five-holer? It reminded me of a term I learned as the mother of two boys: "Group Poop." Either that or, "Team Pee."

Outside and in front of the main house was this bell. There was no indication of its function either, but we suspect it might have been to sound an alarm.

At the front door was this door knocker.

We learned at our next destination that these southern homes did not have a back door...rather, they had two front doors because it would have been insulting to a guest to bring them into the house through the back door. Since they arrived by horse and buggy, but also by boat, the houses required two front doors. This is how the house looked from the side away from the river.

As you might guess, this was another windows and walls kind of day.

Also, I took photos of every blooming thing and its inhabitants.

Those of you who know something about southern magnolias will have to explain this to me. We've seen them on the ground, looking like strange and rotting pine cones. They appear to be what is left of the large magnolia blossoms...a seed pod. It is about as large as a human fist. This one still has a red color.

We had only planned to visit Westover on this day, but as we entered its long and shady driveway, we realized that the Berkeley Plantation driveway was at a 90 degree angle from Westover, and so we decided to make our way there as well. Returning the way we came meant returning along this shady lane.

Along the way, we saw these barns, unrelated to the plantation, apparently.

To the left of the Westover driveway was the sign leading to the Berkeley Plantation.

Entry meant going into a structure to the right side of the main house. Inside was a gift shop. This would have served as a guest house back in the day, and indeed, there were many famous guests at the Berkeley Plantation, including each of the first ten American presidents.

The house was originally owned by the Harrison Family, one of whom was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and two of whom would become presidents. Admission was $11 each and included a tour of the ground floor of the house. (No photography was permitted inside the house.) This was printed on the front side of our ticket.

This was on the back side...a map of the grounds.

Our tour guide was Clarence, and he told us some very interesting history about this place. Here he was telling us that it was considered crass to talk about one's wealth, and so the original owner, Benjamin Harrison, used the house to communicate his wealth. The dark bricks you see on the facade were originally purple in color, and the house was painted with a shiny glaze that made it sparkle and shine. It could not be missed while sailing up the James River.

To the left of where we stood was the kitchen house. Kitchens were built separate from the main structure because cooking was done over an open fire. The concern about fire spreading to the main structure meant that the kitchen was built off to the side.

If you look almost in the middle of the image above, you can see a sign.

This is where the house was struck by a cannon ball during the civil war. In preparation for this trip, I read Michener's book, Chesapeake. In his book there was a house that was notable for a cannon ball that was lodged in an upstairs bedroom. I wondered if this was Michener's inspiration for that part of his book.

We entered the main house on the left side. Above the side door was this little, um, impression in the side. Our guide explained to us that marriages in these days were usually arranged, and that Benjamin's marriage to Anne was no different. However, Anne and Benjamin actually loved one another, and so Benjamin created this to express their commitment to one another. At the top is the letter "H." Below were their initials, "B" and "A" with a heart in the middle and the year of their marriage below.

Beneath the house was a basement containing relics from the house and from the Civil War. There was this spinning wheel,

and this loom.

Also, this whiskey still. The first southern bourbon was distilled right here at Berkeley Plantation.

The basement extended under the entirety of the house in a "U" shape. Through this door were relics left over from the civil war.

Looking up, the ceiling rafters looked like this, and they supported the house above.

The Berkeley Plantation has a very interesting history, and I encourage you to click on this link to read more about it. It was the site of many firsts:

I would have liked to get a good photograph of the entire building, but there were too many trees for that. Backing up toward the river, it looks like this.

Even closer to the river were beautiful gardens. Looking back at the house, we could see this.

Turning directly around was the James River. This would be a beautiful place for a wedding, and indeed, it looked as if such an event had just taken place.

And there were blooming things here too.

This plant was identified as cotton.

Here is its flower.

This next one was identified as tobacco.

And this was its flower.

This next one was identified as a hardy orange. Hardy, one presumes, because of these two-inch thorns.

Our guide explained to us that there were no slave quarters on the mansions because they were made of wood. Some of the plantations were occupied during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and anything wooden was taken apart to shore up earthen berms or else to be used as firewood. There was one wooden carriage house to the right of the main house. I loved this windows and walls shot.

Inside was a painting showing what the slave quarters might have looked like.

With this associated sign. There were also framed "rosters" of the slaves quartered at Berkeley Plantation that included their names, ages, and their worth.

From there we drove back to the RV. Smitty was itching to get out for a walk, and so we obliged him.

The warm day meant that we brought our shadow selves along.

When we'd had enough walking, I continued on with my stitching. I'm off to a good start on Thelma. I liked her Mary Janes and bobby sox so much I decided to start at the bottom. With her bag on the right completely stitched, I was able to move my hoop to the left.

Now I'll get to work on the left side and then move up from there. Yes, as a matter of fact, I am stitching more polka dots. They are the bane of my existence these days.

Today, we have nothing planned. It's a day of rest. Mike is going to work on trailer maintenance, and I'm going to get out all my sewing crap and do some sewing for the first time this trip. Also, I'm expecting a visit from my friend Vicki who blogs at Colorways by Vicki Welsh. Originally, Vicki and I were talking about trying to arrange a meet-up at a quilt shop. Since we're taking off from here on Sunday, everything will be closed. Instead, Vicki is coming here to the campground. I'm looking forward to that.

Yesterday, a fellow camper informed us that the restaurant within walking distance of the campground serves up a prime rib dinner on Fridays for $14 per plate. We decided to go, and it was a really good dinner for the price. It was also lovely scenery. From our table, this was our view:

It's hard to see because of the angle of my shot, but above the men in the boat on the right is a very large bird's nest...possibly an eagle's nest. As we sat and ate our dinner, we saw this pretty sunset below.

Day is done.

What do you suppose I will sew today?