Westover Plantation

Infobox_nrhp
name = Westover Plantation
nrhp_type =nhl

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caption =Westover from the front (river) side
location= Charles City County, Virginia, United States of America
lat_degrees = 37 | lat_minutes = 19 | lat_seconds = 58 | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 77 | long_minutes = 10 | long_seconds = 23 | long_direction = W
area =1,025 acres
built =c. 1750
architect=unknown
architecture=Georgian
designated= October 09, 1960cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=702&ResourceType=Building
title=Westover|accessdate=2008-06-27|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = October 15, 1966
governing_body = Private
refnum=66000923 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2006-03-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

Westover Plantation is located on the north bank of the James River in Charles City County, Virginia. It is located on State Route 5, a scenic byway which runs between the independent cities of Richmond and Williamsburg. It is a US National Historic Landmark.

Westover Plantation was formerly claimed to have been built circa 1730 by William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond; this date appears in the 1960 designation of the house as a National Historic Landmark. However, recent dendrochronologic testing on boards and planks in the house shows that they actually date to the 1750s, and this is the date of construction now recognized by the National Park Service. Therefore the house was probably built by William Byrd III, not his father William Byrd II. The house is noteworthy for its secret passages, magnificent gardens, and architectural details. The grounds and garden are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, but the house is not open to the public.

ee also

*James River plantations

References

External links

* [http://www.jamesriverplantations.org/Westover.html Westover Plantation]
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/jamesriver/wes.htm National Park Service site about Westover]
* [http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=702&ResourceType=Building Listing in National Historic Landmarks program website]
* [http://www.wm.edu/niahd/journals/index.php?browse=entry&id=3002 A high school student's account of a visit to Westover]