Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Berkeley Plantation

Some years back I made plans for my husband and I to drive across the James River and on to Berkeley Plantation to celebrate our anniversary. After our move to Virginia we had not visited any of the James River Plantations and I thought this was a good start.


There is a long drive leading up to the main house. I love drives like this, framed by tall trees. In my mind's eye I see carriages drawn by sleek, dark horses carrying ladies in long, frilly dresses and umbrellas.  It's an era that holds my imagination.

Our anniversary is on Dec 10th and it was pretty chilly that day but we had fun going through the house

and exploring the grounds.





 Our anniversary lunch was in the little restaurant and we sat eating a delicious meal while watching squirrels cavort about the yard and feeding from the various feeders.




I'd like to give you a little of the history of Berkeley.

It was at this site that the FIRST Thanksgiving was held in the year 1619, before the one at Plymouth, Mass.

This was the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It also was the home of the 9th President, William Henry Harrison, 'Old Tippecanoe Harrison'.

During the Civil War  the house served as the Headquarters and Supply Base for McClellan's Union Army. President Lincoln came to review the 140,000 Union soldiers. It was here that a young man composed 'Taps', the bugle song played at military funerals.

One of the young soliders was a drummer boy by the name of John Jamieson. He evidently took a liking to the plantation for in 1907 he bought the property and began restoration on the house and surrounding land. It is now a historic site and Elbert and I thoroughly enjoyed our anniversary there.

This is linked to Our World Tuesday. For other interesting places to see please visit the site at http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

10 comments:

  1. Yes, I can imagine carriages as well. Maybe a long line of them headed to a celebration of some sort at the plantation. Are you planning an anniversary trip this year?

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  2. We've been to Shirley Plantation and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. I would like to get to Berkeley some time.

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  3. How lovely to see Berkeley Plantation once again through your photos...I was a teenager when I went with my aunt and two of her friends to visit plantations on the north side of the James River. What a lovely anniversary you and your husband had that year!

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  4. Wow - love your header Latane! Yes, I too can imagine those horse-drawn carriages driven by men in top hats! Where would we be without imagination, eh? Thank you for sharing your photos and background. Thanks, too, for visiting my blog.

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  5. I didn't know any of this! Taps? How neat...Looks like a wonderful to spend time!
    Love the photos!!
    hughugs

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  6. This is new to me.... sure fun to learn and see new places. Sure looks like a wonderful time for the two of you.
    You have some wonderful times to remember.
    Hugs,

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  7. Looks like you had a wonderful time, thanks for the tour.

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  8. You go to the most interesting places!!! I loved your post so much.

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  9. Your header is beautiful!

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  10. GREAT post, Mom! I love all the history you included, as well as the wonderful photos! Sweet shots of you and Dad, now that that anniversary date is approaching. Love you!

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