Description

Berkeley Plantation is home to abundant history and abundant wildlife. It the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and William Henry Harrison “Old Tippacanoe” 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 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.

Directions

Physical Address: 12602 Harrison Landing Road, Charles City, Virginia 23030

From Previous Site on the Plantation Loop of VBWT:

From Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery return to SR 5 and turn left. Continue on SR 5 for 0.7 miles and turn right onto Herring Creek Road. Continue on Herring Creek Road for 0.2 miles to the fork at the end of the pavement. Take the right fork through the two brick pillars.