Ampthill

Ampthill is a plantation in Cumberland County, Virginia, where a brick addition was joined to the original clapboard structure. The residence sits near the James and Willis Rivers and displays architectural elements spanning different periods of construction.

Thomas Randolph received the land in 1722 and soon sold it to Robert 'King' Carter, one of Virginia's wealthiest landowners. A brick extension was designed according to Thomas Jefferson's plans, though construction did not start until decades later.

The property served as a meeting place for political discussions that shaped Virginia's early development. Visitors can observe how such historic estates remain connected to the region's identity today.

The property functions today as a bed and breakfast where original windows and architectural features were preserved through restoration work around 1999. Proximity to the rivers allows visitors to explore the surrounding landscape.

Thomas Jefferson drew up plans for the brick addition in 1815, yet construction was delayed for two decades. This gap between the design and actual building work reveals an unexpected aspect of the property's development.

Location: Cumberland County

Inception: 1835

GPS coordinates: 37.69280,-78.10360

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:45