Williamsburg Off The Beaten Path

a visit to williamsburg would not be complete with out stopping at the site of the jamestown settlement. the jamestown settlement was founded by captain john smith in 1607. jamestown was the first english settlement in america. jamestown had a small wooden fort and a number of brick buildings. in 1619 the first african slaves were brought to jamestown by dutch traders to work on area plantations. this importation marked the begining of slavery in the future united states. in 1699 the capital of colonial virginia was moved to middle plantation eight miles northeast of jamestown. middle plantation was later renamed williamsburg. jamestown ceased to exist as a settlement after the transfer and today the site is in ruins. jamestown is a must see site for those interested in early american history and archeology.
from williamsburg take RT 31 (colonial parkway) to RT 359. jamestown is located on the james river eight miles southwest of williamsburg.
for more information see my jamestown pages.

Do not skip amazing James River Plantations located just west of Williamsburg. But do not try to visit all nine, better take a few hours trip and visit one or two.

I visited the Berkeley Plantation located only 30 miles west of Williamsburg where:

1. The first official Thanksgiving in America took place in 1619.

2. The first bourbon whiskey was distilled in 1621.

3. William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the USA (1841) was born in 1773. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President.

4. The first time Army bugle call "Taps" was played in 1862.

It is a must see off the beaten path, no doubts. Welcome. More details: here.

Charles City's Plantation Row is often overlooked by tourists who flock to Williamsburg. All the plantations predate the War for Southern Independence. One is the site of the first Thanksgiving and where the first 10 U.S. presidents had ties. One (William Henry Harrison) was born at Berkely Plantation. Other plantations include Westover and Shirley. Since I originally wrote this tip, the owners of Evelynton Plantation closed it to tourists and Indian Field Tavern has changed name and ownership to the Charles City Tavern. From what I understand, they offer the same type of food on their menu. From Colonial Williamsburg, simply go southwest on VA-31/VA-5/JAMESTOWN RD toward CHANDLER CT. Turn RIGHT onto VA-5 W/VA-199 W. 0.5 miles (0.3 km.) Turn LEFT onto VA-5 W/JOHN TYLER MEMORIAL HWY to the plantation of your choice 20-30 miles (32-48 km.).

Part of the original mandate for the College of William and Mary was the education of American Indians in Virginia. The Brafferton Indian School was established in the early 18th century however it did not survive the Revolutionary War.Today, faculty and students are encouraged to participate in and contribute to the surrounding community.

Located eight miles southeast of the Historic Area on the James River, Carter's Grove was home to Virginia's earliest settlers in the 1600s, to proud plantation owners and enslaved field workers in the 1700s and 1800s, and to a 20th-century couple who preserved and embellished the property's historic appeal in the 1930s and 1940s. The stately Georgian mansion has been called "the most beautiful house in America." The grounds include the reconstructed 18th-century slave quarters, which represents life as it was lived by the vast majority of the inhabitants of the Chesapeake ? both black and white. Two double houses, a corncrib, a single-family dwelling, small garden plots, and chicken pens positioned around a courtyard represent a small slave community.

Also located on the property is Wolstenholme Towne, a partially reconstructed settlement and fort, and The Winthrop Rockefeller Archaeology Museum

CARTER'S GROVE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION. I WILL UPDATE THIS PAGE WHEN THE SITE HAS BEEN REOPENED

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Williamsburg is situated very conveniently about 90 minutes away from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The education never stops as you approach Charlottesville. Up on a mountaintop, you will see a large manicured yard. This is Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson. While Jefferson oversaw the building of the University of Virginia, he could keep an eye on the project through a telescope on his mountaintop home site.

Virginia wine country. The Charlottesville area has cornered the market on Virginia wine production. with over 25 vinyards within 20 miles of Charlottesville, you are never far from a wonderfully aged Cab Franc or Reisling. Go to: http://www.virginiawineguide.com/

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Williamsburg Winery is Virginia's largest winery with an annual production of some 60,000 cases. With approximately 100 wineries in Virginia, the Williamsburg Winery accounts for almost one-quarter of all wine production in Virginia.

The Williamsburg Winery was established in 1985 by the Duffeler family. The first wine produced, Governor’s White, was released in 1988 and won a Gold Medal within two weeks. Today, Governor’s White is the most popular wine made at the winery. Wines produced here are appealing to a broad range of wine lovers, from the occasional wine drinker to the wine enthusiast.

The 50+ acres of vineyards which surround the winery offer a beautiful backdrop to the Old World-style village where the winery is located. Most of the wines have historical references listed on the back of each bottle. For example, Governor’s White was named after Governor Berkeley, Virginia’s first governor. Tours of the facility and wine tastings are held daily by our professionally trained staff members. Join with visitors from all over the world who come to enjoy our international award-winning wines!

Take a ferry ride over to Surry. While there isn't much to see on the other side of the river, other than undeveloped farmland, the ride is very nice. While on the ship you can feed the seagulls, take pictures of the James River Coast, or keep your eyes peeled for the Bald Eagle that has been perching on the turn bouy.

In fact, you can take the Colonial Parkway right to the entrance of the Ferry. Don't you like how my off the beaten path tips flow together. :)

The Ferry runs every 30 mintues from the Jamestown and Surry side of the James River.

Located at the end of Jamestown Road.