Visit Hampton Roads Virginia: Hampton Roads / Gardens

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12 Historic Squares of High Street-Gardens
100-700 High Street
Portsmouth, VA 23705
Phone1: (757) 405-3500 Judi MacDougall-Administrative Assistant
Phone2: (757) 399-5012 Joe Elder- Marketing Director
Email: execadmin@otba.biz
Opens: 10:00:00 AM
Closes: 6:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Pets Welcome

Discover the charm and year-round beauty of historic Olde Towne's 12 merchant squares laid out in 1752 by Col. William Crawford, the city’s founder. Tree-lined streets and brick sidewalks provide a canvas painted with planted urns and hanging flower baskets. Secret gardens and courtyards such as the one pictured await your discovery through many of the shops, including Anderson-Wright, Vincent Hester Gallery, and Skipjack Nautical Wares. Beautiful parks are abundant throughout the Olde Towne district of historic residential homes dating back to the early 18th century. Whether coming to visit just for an afternoon or an extended stay, historic Olde Towne Portsmouth offers a break from the ordinary. Magnificent shopping, historic cultural attractions, museums, and unique restaurants: make Olde Towne Portsmouth your destination!

Belle Air Plantation
11800 John Tyler Memorial Highway
Charles City, VA 23030
Phone1: (804) 829-2431
Phone2: (804) 358-4638

One of America's oldest frame dwellings (circa 1670), Belle Air is a unique and important architectural monument. Massive pine timbers still serve as sturdy structure and interior decorative trim. The mansion includes "the finest Jacobean staircase in America" and is furnished with antiques. The five-acre grounds with flowering borders and herb garden overlook farmland. The plantation is on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places. The first and second floors and outbuilding are open during Historic Garden Week.

Berkeley Plantation
12602 Harrison Landing Road
Charles City, VA 23030
Phone1: (804) 829-6018 Main Number
Phone2: (888) 466-6018 Toll Free
Fax: (804) 829-6757
Opens: 9:00:00 AM
Closes: 5:00:00 PM
Admission Fee
Children Welcome

Berkeley is Virginia's most historic plantation. Visit the site of the first official Thanksgiving (1619). See the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and President William Henry Harrison, our nation's ninth president, whose grandson Benjamin became the 23rd president. Envision Lincoln reviewing 140,000 Union troops. Hear "Taps" (composed here in 1862). We invite you to experience Berkeley's famous hospitality, as did the first ten presidents. An architectual gem, the elegant 1726 Georgian mansion is furnished with rare period antiques. Five terraces of restored boxwood and flower gardens overlook farmlands and offer breathtaking vistas of the James River. Audio-visual program. Museum. Gift Shop. Costumed guides.

Chelsea Plantation
874 Chelsea Plantation Lane
West Point, VA 23181
Phone: (804) 843-2386

Built in 1709 during the Queen Anne period by Col. Augustine Moore, Chelsea is the 2nd oldest Virginia Plantation open for tours. It is on the National Historic Registry. Just before the battle of Yorktown in the Revolutionary War’s 1781 campaign, General Lafayette used the manor house for headquarters. Robert E. Lee's grandmother was born and married here as she was the granddaughter of Col. Moore. The parson at St John's Church in King William was the schoolmaster at Chelsea schoolhouse. The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe was formed here by Governor Spottswood. Tours Th-Sun 10-4:30, and Mon-Wed by appointment. Group Tours require notice. Directions from Richmond: I64 E to exit 220, go ~8 miles, L at light onto Rt. 30 (Main St becomes King William Rd). Go ~5-6 miles to R on Rt. 635 (Chelsea Rd); 1 mile to driveway.

Hermitage Museum and Gardens
7637 North Shore Road
Norfolk, VA 23505
Phone: (757) 423-2052
Email: info@thfm.org
Opens: 10:00:00 AM
Closes: 5:00:00 PM
Admission Fee
Children Welcome
Pets Welcome

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens, an early 20th century estate of the Sloane family, offers an outstanding presentation of architecture, art, and nature. Docent-led tours on the hour. Visitors may leisurely stroll the waterfront and 12-acre gardens, view contemporary art exhibitions, attend seasonal events, and participate in multi-media art classes. Museum and Grounds open daily except Wednesdays and major holidays.

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