About The Plantation
It is worth the drive. Head west on Route 5, which is a spectacular scenic drive for 30 miles and you arrive at “Virginia’s Most Historic Plantation”.
Step back in time to a bygone era and experience a genteel 18th century lifestyle. Nowhere can you find a more unspoiled and tranquil environment. Our history begins in 1619 when settlers observed the first official Thanksgiving in America. Berkeley’s 1726 Georgian mansion is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and three times governor of Virginia. The estate is also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States, and ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president. During the Civil War, Berkeley was occupied by General George McClellan’s Union troops. While at Berkeley, General Daniel Butterfield composed the familiar tune “Taps,” first played by his bugler, O.W. Norton.
Enthusiastic guides in period costumes conduct tours of the mansion daily. The mansion is furnished with a magnificent collection of 18th century antiques and artifacts. .
Berkeley Plantation History
Berkeley’s history begins in 1619 when settlers observed the first official Thanksgiving in America. The 1726 Georgian mansion is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Virginia. The estate is also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth U.S. president and ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president. During the Civil War, Berkeley, known as Harrison’s Landing, was occupied by General George McClellan’s Union Army. While at Berkeley, General Daniel Butterfield composed the familiar tune “Taps,” first played by his bugler, O.W. Norton. John Jamieson, a drummer boy with McClellan’s forces, returned to Berkeley in 1907 and purchased the house and 1400 acres. His son, Malcolm, and his wife, Grace, are responsible for the extensive restoration seen today. The plantation is presently owned by the Malcolm E Jamieson family.
BERKELEY PLANTATION EVENTS
February
Tippecanoe and Tyler Too
Presidents’ Day Weekend at Berkeley Plantation, birthplace of our nation’s ninth U.S. president.
Enjoy Berkeley’s famous hospitality and learn about one of the most popular presidential campaigns of American history, which generated the familiar “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too” campaign slogan. 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
$12 per adult / $7 per child (ages 6-16)
March 1-31, 2019
Berkeley Homeschool Month
During the month of March, Berkeley will offer a special rate to homeschool students and their families. Enjoy a guided house tour and learn eighteenth-century life on a plantation. Explore the museum of paintings and artifacts and walk the five terraces of restored gardens leading to the James River. Picnic area available or bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic by the river shore.
The rate during this special offer is $8.50 per adult / $5 per student (k-12).
Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.
April 1-30, 2019
Children’s Nature Hunt at Berkeley Plantation
Bring the family to Berkeley and learn its amazing history, while searching for treasures along the river shore, gardens and grounds. Children’s brochures and picnic area available. Nature hunt included with regular admission tickets. $12.50 per adult / $7 per child (ages 6-16)
April
Historic Garden Week Teas at Berkeley
Join “Miss Priss Tea Company” for tea time during Historic Garden Week. On Sunday, April 28, finger sandwiches, mini pastries, scones with clotted cream and premium loose-leaf teas will be served in the Coach House Dining Room on Berkeley Plantation. Tea times begin at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Tour tickets sold separately and may be purchased at Berkeley’s Gift Shop or Garden Club of Virginia.
$35 per person.
Reservations are required. To make reservations and to purchase tea time tickets, visit www.missprisstea.com/events.
*Please note all tea time tickets are transferable but non-refundable.
April
James River Plantations Historic Garden Week Tour
Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia
Berkeley, Shirley and Westover Plantations celebrate Historic Garden Week with a special combination ticket which allows access to the extensive grounds, outbuildings and interiors of all three historic sites. Tour proceeds fund the restoration and preservation of gardens throughout Virginia. For more information and to purchase combination tickets, visit www.vagardenweek.org.
$45pp
June 1 – August 31, 2019
Tuesday Kid’s Day at Berkeley
On Tuesdays, during the months of June, July, and August, Berkeley invites families to experience eighteenth-century history, explore the gardens and grounds, see our ninth president’s birthplace and walk the same floors as our founding fathers. Admission is free for two children (ages 16 and under) with each paying adult. Children’s nature and scavenger hunt, colonial games and activities included.
$12.50 per adult
June 1 – August 31, 2019
Children’s Nature Hunt at Berkeley Plantation
Bring the family to Berkeley and learn its amazing history, while searching for treasures along the river shore, gardens and grounds. Children’s brochures and picnic area available. Nature hunt included with regular admission tickets. $12.50 per adult / $7 per child (ages 6-16)
July 4, 2019
Berkeley Plantation Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony
Annual commemoration honoring Benjamin Harrison V, one of seven Virginia signers of the Declaration of Independence and 18th century owner of Berkeley Plantation.
Ceremony included with regular admission tickets. Hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution
Noon $12.50 per adult / $7 per child (ages 6-16)
July 5, 12, 19, 26, 2019
Friday Evening Hauntings at Berkeley
Each Friday, during the month of July, Berkeley will offer a special evening tour with stories of Berkeley’s paranormal activities. Includes a guided tour through the 1726 mansion, museum and self-guided grounds tour. 5:30 p.m.
$15 per adult / $7.50 per child (ages 6-16)
Reservations are required.
September 1-30, 2019
Berkeley Homeschool Month
During the month of September, Berkeley will offer a special rate to homeschool students and their families. Enjoy a guided house tour and learn 18th century life on a plantation. Explore the museum of paintings and artifacts, walk the five terraces of restored gardens leading to the James River and make your way through Berkeley’s corn maze. Picnic area available or bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic by the river shore.
The rate during this special offer is $8.50 for adults and $5 per student (k-12).
Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.
October 1 – November 30, 2019
Berkeley Plantation Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Bring the family to Berkeley to explore the colorful autumn gardens, river shore and exhibits, pick a pumpkin and find your way through the corn maze, all while learning Berkeley’s amazing history. The corn maze is included in Berkeley’s regular tour admission, an additional fee is charged to take home a pumpkin. Children’s brochures and picnic area available.
$12.50 per adult / $7 per child (ages 6-16)
October
Hauntings Tales & Tours
This unique tour of Edgewood, Berkeley and Shirley Plantations will give an insight of the spirits and mysteries of these three historic plantations in Charles City, Virginia. Hear the haunting tales of the paranormal activities at each site on a progressive tour. The tour begins at 2:30 p.m. at Shirley Plantation, continues to Berkeley and ends at Edgewood.
$38 pp (includes refreshments at Berkeley)
Reservations are required.
To make reservations or for additional information, visit: www.shirleyplantation.com or call (804) 829-5121
October
Berkeley’s Twilight Ghost Tour
Berkeley’s History and Hauntings will amaze you
Hear the tales of Berkeley’s paranormal activities with a guided tour through the 1726 mansion, followed by a lantern-led walk through the gardens, grounds and cemetery. You will then finish your ghostly experience with Berkeley’s challenging corn maze, with only the light of your lantern.
6:00 p.m. Refreshments served.
Reservations required.
$26 per adult/$13 per child (ages 6-16)
November 3, 2019
Virginia Thanksgiving Festival at Berkeley Plantation
Celebrating the 400th anniversary of the First English Speaking Thanksgiving in the New World
Join us for a day dedicated to history, food and fun with a living history program, tribal dancers, arts, crafts & jewelry vendors, choral music, Thanksgiving dinner and a re-enactment of the Landing of Capt. Woodlief & his men. Activities and entertainment 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Thanksgiving re-enactment and program 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more information, visit: www.virginiathanksgivingfestival.com
December 7, 2019 – January 1, 2020
Centuries of Christmas at Berkeley Plantation
The elegant 1726 mansion will be beautifully decorated with fresh greenery from Berkeley’s gardens. Costumed guides will add a special touch to your holiday season with stories of Christmas at Berkeley through four centuries of history. Special events, progressive tours, workshops and teas throughout the holidays.
Christmas tours daily 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
December 7 & 8, 2019
Berkeley Plantation Christmas Wreath Workshop and Tour
We begin with a guided tour of the 1726 manor house, decorated with fresh arrangements and wreaths cut from Berkeley’s boxwood, cedar and holly trees. Following the tour gather for a wreath-making workshop creating your own Berkeley wreath to take home and enjoy throughout the holiday season
10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Refreshments served.
$42 pp
Reservations are required.
December
A Candlelight Christmas
Historic Homes in Charles City offer Progressive Tours during the Holiday Season
Break away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and let your imagination travel back to a by-gone era. Partake in a progressive candlelight tour of Shirley and Berkeley Plantations followed by refreshments at Edgewood. Enjoy the famous hospitality at these three historic homes with Christmas celebrations through four centuries of history.
Tour begins at 2:30 p.m. at Shirley Plantation, continues to Berkeley and ends at Edgewood.
$44 pp
Reservations are required.
To make reservations or for additional information visit, www.shirleyplantation.com or call (804) 829-5121.
January 1, 2019
New Year’s Day Tea and Tour
Take a step back from the fast pace of the holidays and visit Berkeley Plantation for a New Year’s Day Tea and Tour. Learn about historical Christmas celebrations with a guided tour of the 1726 mansion followed by tea complete with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries. After the holiday rush, Berkeley’s New Year’s Day Tea and Tour is the perfect way to relax and unwind.
Tour begins at 1:00 p.m. followed by tea at 2:00 p.m.
$35 per person. Reservations required.
CONTACT BERKELEY PLANTATION
Located Halfway Between Richmond & Williamsburg
Off Scenic Route 5
in Charles City, Virginia
Phone: (804) 829-6018
Toll Free: 888-466-6018
Fax: (804) 829-6757
Email: info@berkeleyplantation.com
12602 Harrison Landing Road
Charles City, Virginia 23030
