HOSTED BY THE OWNERS OF BERKELEY, SHIRLEY AND WESTOVER PLANTATIONS Plantations-Charles City 147

TICKET INCLUDES ADMISSION TO THE FOLLOWING 3 PROPERTIES IN CHARLES CITY, AS WELL AS THE WESTOVER EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Berkeley Westover, 7000 Westover Road 12602 Harrison Landing Road William Byrd II, author, diarist, Colonial Berkeley’s Georgian mansion, built in 1726 of brick fired on the plantation, oc- cupies a beautifully landscaped hilltop site overlooking the historic James River. The estate is the birthplace of Benjamin Harri- son V, signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence and governor of . It is also the birthplace of William Henry Har- rison, ninth president and ancestral home of his grandson, , the 23rd president. Berkeley’s gardens and lawn extend for a full quarter mile from the front door of the mansion to the riverbanks. Many 100-year-old trees grace the restored boxwood gardens of- fering breathtaking vistas of the James leader and founder of the cities of Peters- River. While strolling the gardens, stop by burg and Richmond, built the house the monuments where you will learn the around 1730. Long considered a premier story of America’s First Thanksgiving and example of Georgian architecture in hear the sounding of “Taps” echoing America, the house’s special charm lies in

Photos courtesy of Berkeley and Gary Smith Images across the grounds as it first did during the its elegant yet extremely simple form and JAMES RIVER Union occupation in 1862. John Jamieson, perfect proportions. Of special interest are a drummer boy encamped at Berkeley the steepness of the roof, the tall chimneys during the Civil War, returned to the plan- in pairs at both ends of the main house, tation in 1907 and purchased the house and the elaborate doorway, which contin- and 1,400 acres. John’s son, Malcolm and ues to be recognized as “the Westover his wife Grace are responsible for the ex- doorway” despite its adaptation to many PlantationsSATURDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY, APRIL 17, 18 AND 19, 2021 tensive restoration. Berkeley is owned by other buildings and homes. Shaded by 10 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. TIMED ENTRANCES Malcolm and Grace’s son and grandchildren, 150-year-old tulip poplars, Westover’s lawn Open together, three historic properties and a church established in the early 1600s celebrate the Malcolm E. Jamieson family. offers a commanding view of the James Historic Garden Week on three consecutive days. A special combo ticket allows access to the River and majestic eagles soaring over- extensive grounds, gardens, numerous outbuildings and first floor interiors of all sites. In Shirley, 501 Road head. The grounds are still protected by addition to touring, Westover Episcopal Church is offering lunch. All are located between Shirley Plantation is home to 12 generations wrought-iron gates hung by William Byrd scenic Route 5 and the James River in Charles City, a county with an expansive history over of one family who continue to own, oper- in 1709 and considered the finest set of its 400 years, including the indigenous, the indentured, the enslaved, early European settlers ate and work Virginia’s first plantation. Es- 18th-century gates in the country. The in- and generations of their descendants. Built in the 1700s by a combination of indentured and tablished six years after John Smith’s settle- terior, normally closed to the public, is enslaved labor, Berkeley, Shirley and Westover Plantations are Virginia and National Historic ment at Jamestown in 1607, Shirley noted for the beautiful proportions of the Landmarks, working farms, private homes and living links to our country’s past. Plantation is the oldest family-owned busi- rooms, ornately carved ceilings, the detail ness in North America, dating to 1638. The of the cornice and stairway, and an unusu- present mansion was begun in 1723 as a al black mantelpiece. After the death of CONTACT INFORMATION AT TOUR SITES WESTOVER wedding present for Elizabeth Hill and William Byrd III’s widow in 1814, Westo- AND FOR BUS GROUPS • Andrea Erda (804) 829-2882 John Carter, eldest son of Robert “King” ver was sold out of the Byrd family. In [email protected] Carter. The mother of Confederate Gener- 1921 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Crane acquired BERKELEY westover-plantation.com the property. Today, their great-grand- • Tammy Radcliff (888) 466-6018 al Robert E. Lee, Anne Hill Carter, was • @historicwestover daughter and her family make it their home [email protected] born at Shirley and married Revolutionary • Hisoric Westover and care for this historic landmark. Westo- berkeleyplantation.com War hero, “Light Horse Harry” Lee in the great house parlor. Considered to be the ver was featured on the first Historic Gar- • @berkeleyplantation TICKETS den Week in 1929. Andrea and Rob Erda, owners • • $50 pp most intact Colonial estate in America, the • Sold online and in advance only, with great house features a three-floor, square- Westover Episcopal Church SHIRLEY timed entrances, at VAGardenWeek.org rigged or “flying” staircase in the main hall. • Melissa Bjorkman (804) 829-5121 6401 Memorial Highway • No day of ticket sales Direct descendants of the first owner, Ed- [email protected] ward Hill, live here. A guided tour of the Between 1611 and 1613, as colonists shirleyplantation.com LUNCH AT great house highlights stories from the Hill moved west from Jamestown, several small • @shirleyplantation • $18 pp with advanced reservations. • Shirley Plantation Carter family, including how the property parishes were formed and eventually • Pick up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. was saved by hard work, dedication and hu- merged to become Westover. The original • Reservations, westoverepiscopalchurch.org manity of the Carter women. Formal gar- Westover Church was constructed be- SELF-DRIVING TOUR at “HGW lunch” dens, eight original Colonial outbuildings tween 1630 and 1637 on nearby Westover This is a self-driving tour with walking at and commanding views of the James River Plantation. In 1730, construction of the tour properties. Please wear appropriate flat- complete this majestic setting. current church was completed at its site on heeled shoes to allow for uneven surfaces. Owned by the Charles Hill Carter family Herring Creek, 1.5 miles north of Westo- HOSTED BY THE OWNERS OF BERKELEY, SHIRLEY AND WESTOVER PLANTATIONS James River Plantations-Charles City 149

ver plantation. The end of support for the Episcopal Church by public taxation at the start of the Revolutionary War in 1776, followed by the War of 1812, the prejudice against the Church as an English loyalist institution, and a declining interest in religion culminated in a period of dese- cration at Westover. For 30 years after 1803, Westover Church was misused as a barn and services of the Protestant Epis- copal Church of Virginia lapsed com- pletely in Charles City County. In 1833, however, religious services were revived by the Reverend Parke Farley Berkeley, a missionary sent to Charles City County. At this time the church structure was repaired and restored, principally through the ef- forts of the Harrisons and Carters, own- ers of Berkeley and Shirley plantations. Badly damaged by Federal troops during the Civil War, Westover Church was once more restored to service in 1867 and has been used faithfully ever since. Worship- pers at Westover have included Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Harrison, Tyler and Theodore Roosevelt as well as farmers, plantation owners and their enslaved people.