Berkeley Plantation

Berkeley Plantation is home to abundant history and abundant wildlife. It is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and William Henry Harrison also known as “Old Tippacanoe” who was the 9th President of the United States. Many firsts took place at this historic location: the 1st official Thanksgiving, the 1st bourbon whiskey distilled and the composition and first playing of Taps during the Civil War. General McClellan headquartered 140,000 Union troops here in 1862 and the encampment was visited by President Lincoln.  A variety of interpretive signs describe the history of the plantation as you wander the grounds.

The wildflower garden next to the reconstructed enslaved workers’ quarters is alive with pollinators in summer. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

The public area of the plantation features seven acres of formal gardens and lawns. These gardens descend through five terraces from the 1726 Georgian mansion to the banks of the James River. Hedgerows, and adjacent fields and forests provide additional habitat diversity. A wide diversity of bird species can be seen here including woodcock, bluebirds, yellow-bellied sapsuckers and pileated woodpeckers. Bald eagles and osprey nest along the river and, during the winter months, waterfowl can be seen. Diverse butterfly species are also abundant.