White House, 18th-century plantation on the Pamunkey River near White House in New Kent County, Virginia
White House is a plantation in eastern Virginia built in the late 1600s with Georgian architectural style, located near the Pamunkey River. The ruins visible today include the foundations of the main house and outbuildings that once supported daily work with crops and livestock.
The plantation was founded around 1700 by Colonel John Lightfoot III and later became the residence of the Custis family, including Martha who married George Washington. Union troops burned the buildings in 1862 during the Civil War, ending centuries of occupation on the site.
The name reflects the Washington family's long connection to this place, a lineage that shaped the region for generations. Walking through the ruins, visitors encounter physical reminders of the colonial way of life that once centered on this plantation.
The site consists mostly of ruins and open ground that is walkable and offers direct views of the historical remains. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven and some building foundations are sunken into the ground.
Archaeological digs in 1935 revealed traces of three different houses built at the same location, with bricks from before 1700 showing the earliest settlement. This layering of history lies hidden beneath the current ground and tells of repeated destruction and rebuilding.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
