Bacon's Castle

Bacon's Castle is a 17th-century brick residence in Surry County with twisted chimneys and a T-shaped floor plan near the James River. The three-story structure shows curved gables and diagonal chimneys in early colonial style.

Arthur Allen built the house in 1665 as a residence for his family, and it was later recognized as the oldest surviving brick building in North America. Rebels under Nathaniel Bacon occupied the property for three months in 1676 during an uprising against the colonial government.

The name comes from a 17th-century rebellion, though the original owner Arthur Allen never had ties to the uprising. Visitors today can see reconstructed gardens showing how plants were grown for food and medicine.

Guided tours of the interior run from March through December on Fridays through Mondays, and tickets can be purchased on site. The grounds cover a wide area, so comfortable shoes are helpful for exploring the outbuildings as well.

The building survived a three-month siege during the 1676 rebellion when furniture and doors were used as firewood. Archaeologists still find remnants of tools and pottery from that period on the grounds today.

Location: Surry County

Inception: 1665

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture, Jacobean architecture

GPS coordinates: 37.11060,-76.72810

Latest update: December 20, 2025 16:21