The Plantation River Walk, Williamsburg, Virginia

Many of the large colonial plantations were situated on the river, as it provided a quick and efficient means of transporting goods and people from place to place. This often resulted in two distinct entryways to the estate; one for land travel and one for the river. As in this photo, visitors from the river had a long walk through a series of gardens to reach the residence. 

Treasure Trove, Charles City, Virginia

Snapped this shot in the basement of Berkeley Plantation about two minutes before the tour guide indicated indoor photography was not permitted.  These items are in the basement; the main house was magnificent.

Country Path, Berkeley Plantation, Virginia

This walking path on the grounds of Berkeley Plantation is framed with crepe myrtles for respite from the summer sun.

Berkeley Plantation, Charles City, Virginia

Berkeley Plantation is a short drive from Williamsburg and sits along a portion of the James River populated with colonial plantations.  It was the home of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; birthplace of William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States; and, the family home of Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president of the United States. The first ten presidents all visited here. President Lincoln visited here when Union troops used it as an encampment on their way to Richmond.

In addition, the first Thanksgiving took place here in 1619 (sorry Pilgrims, but you didn't get here until 1620) and is the location where the military song, "Taps," was composed and first played during the Civil War. The Anglican priest who accompanied the settlers began to ferment Indian corn and developed bourbon whiskey here.

The grounds are beautiful and the tour is full of history from various eras.