Berkeley Plantation

Berkeley Plantation is a three-story brick residence in Charles City County, Virginia, built in the Georgian style with symmetrical windows and a central entrance flanked by columns. Five garden terraces step down from the main house toward the James River, creating a layered landscape that connects the building to the waterfront.

Benjamin Harrison IV built the house in 1726, and it later served as the birthplace of his grandson William Henry Harrison, who became the ninth president. During the Civil War, the property was occupied by Union troops and served as a military headquarters along the James River.

The mansion contains authentic eighteenth-century antiques, including Chinese porcelain, English silver, and period furniture representing colonial lifestyle.

Guided tours of the house and grounds run daily and take visitors through the rooms and a basement museum displaying artifacts from different periods. The outdoor pathways cross lawns and gravel areas, so wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk around the property.

In 1862, Union General Daniel Butterfield revised a French army bugle call while stationed here, creating Taps, the melody now used at military funerals and ceremonies worldwide. The new version was first played at night along the James River and quickly spread throughout the Union forces.