Lower Brandon Plantation

Lower Brandon Plantation is a large estate on the south shore of the James River in Prince George County, spanning roughly 4,500 acres. The mansion was built in 1765 using brick and Palladian design principles, serving as the centerpiece of this historic property.

The estate was established in 1616 by Captain John Martin, one of the original leaders of the Virginia Colony at Jamestown, who received a large land patent. The mansion was later built by Nathaniel Harrison II, marking the family's transition to greater prosperity and prominence in colonial Virginia.

The house is named after Brandon, England, where the Harrison family had earlier connections, and the Palladian design reflects the refined taste of Virginia's colonial gentry. Walking through the rooms, you can sense how the family wanted to display their wealth and status to visitors during the 18th century.

The property continues to operate as a working farm, with hundreds of acres devoted to growing soybeans, wheat, and barley. Visitors should be aware that active agricultural operations may limit access to certain areas depending on the season.

The mansion preserves original furnishings and decorative elements from the 1760s that remain on display today. These interior details offer rare glimpses into how a wealthy colonial family actually lived in their home during that era.