Long Grass Plantation, Greek Revival plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.
Long Grass Plantation is a Greek Revival mansion in Mecklenburg County featuring an H-shaped layout with two stories and a symmetrical design. Nearby are several preserved outbuildings including a smokehouse, icehouse, and schoolhouse that demonstrate the different functions required on such estates.
The estate was built around 1800 by George Tarry and underwent major expansions between 1832 and 1857 under builder Jacob W. Holt. The original property of about 2000 acres was largely submerged when Buggs Island Lake was created, leaving only 27 acres above water today.
The complex reflects how Southern planter families shaped their estates to display wealth and power through multiple construction phases. The various structures reveal the practical routines that sustained daily operations on large properties.
Access to the property requires advance planning since it is jointly managed by private owners and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Visitors should check conditions beforehand, as the site is situated on a peninsula and access may be limited or require special arrangements.
The grounds feature walnut trees that were planted to commemorate the births of children in the Tarry family. Two of the original three trees remain standing today, serving as living markers of family milestones passed down through generations.
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