Prestwould

Prestwould is a plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, featuring a main house from the early 1800s with stone walls surrounded by farm buildings and period gardens. The grounds include several outbuildings that demonstrate how the agricultural operation functioned across the entire property.

The estate was established in 1795 and served as a major agricultural center in Virginia's colonial economy with enslaved workers powering the operation. Its development and use over many decades shaped how the place looks and what we can learn from it today.

The buildings and objects here show how people of different social classes lived and worked together daily. The preserved rooms give insight into the structures and routines that shaped life on the property.

Visitors can explore the grounds in different ways depending on the season and should prepare for changing conditions. Specialized guided experiences are available for various interests, so it is worth checking ahead about what suits your visit.

The main house preserves a remarkably extensive collection of original wallpapers from the Federal period, showing interior decoration trends from the early 1800s. These rare originals offer direct evidence of tastes and manufacturing methods from a specific time.