Berkeley’s House and Grounds
10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, & 4:00
Grounds open until 5:00 p.m. for all ticketed guests.
2026 Events
Building a Nation: Benjamin Harrison V & Berkeley’s Manor House Tricentennial Celebration
April 11, 2026
Celebrate the 300th anniversary of Berkeley’s 1726 Georgian mansion, one of Virginia’s oldest three-story brick houses and birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Enjoy a full day of guided house tours, self-guided garden tours, museum access, hands-on children’s activities, reenactors, period dancing, exhibits and more. The Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence will honor Benjamin Harrison V with a commemorative ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. All tours, activities, and commemorative ceremony are included with regular admission tickets. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Historic Garden Week Tours
April 19 & 20, 2026
Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia
Historic Berkeley, Shirley, and Westover celebrate Historic Garden Week with a special combination ticket which allows access to the extensive grounds, outbuildings, and first-floor interiors of all three historic sites. Tour proceeds help fund the restoration and preservation of gardens throughout Virginia. For more information and to purchase combination tickets visit www.vagardenweek.org.
Homeschool Days
May 1 through 7, 2026
During the first week of May, Berkeley offers special discounted admission for homeschool students and their families. Enjoy a guided house tour focused on eighteenth-century plantation life, explore the museum’s paintings and artifacts, and stroll the five restored garden terraces leading to the James River. Picnic areas are available or bring a blanket and enjoy lunch by the river shore.
Admission: $12 per adult | $6.50 per student (K–12). Tickets purchased upon arrival.
Reservations are required for groups of ten or more. Call (804) 829-6018.
The Making of America: Freedom for Some Exploring the Lives and Contributions of Berkeley’s Enslaved Community
May 16, 2026
This all-inclusive guided tour explores more than four hundred years of Berkeley’s enslaved and enslaver history. Beginning at the Enslaved Quarters and continuing through the main floor of the 1726 manor house, the tour shares the stories of individuals who lived and labored at Berkeley—from enslavement to life as free men and women.
Following the guided tour, guests may explore the colonial kitchen, exhibits, museum, gardens, and grounds.
Tour Begins: 10:00 a.m. (Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your tour begins)
Admission: $20 per person
Reservations required.
This tour is also available as a specialty tour for groups of twenty or more on select dates, subject to availability.
Children's Nature Hunt
June - Aug 2026
Bring the family to Berkeley this summer to explore its rich history while children search for nature treasures along the river shore, gardens, and grounds. Children’s activity brochures and picnic areas are available.
Nature Hunt included with regular admission.
Adventure Awaits: The Berkeley Plantation Puzzle Hunt A Puzzle-Driven Journey Through History
June 20, 2026
Discover Berkeley Plantation in a new way through this engaging, clue-based scavenger hunt designed to challenge your mind and spark your imagination. Participants will work in teams to unravel riddles and follow a trail of thoughtfully crafted clues inspired by beloved adventure stories.
This self-guided experience encourages exploration of the plantation’s historic grounds, revealing fascinating details and hidden spaces along the way. Teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking are essential as you progress toward the final reveal. Well-suited for adult groups and families with older children (upper elementary and above), this hunt offers a rewarding blend of history, discovery, and fun, whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast or simply looking for a unique way to explore the past.
Game Type: Riddle and Find
Intended Audience: Upper Elementary to Adult
Difficulty level: Beginner and up
Hunt begins: 10:00 a.m. (Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your hunt begins)
Cost: $20 per person. Reservations required.
Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony
July 4, 2026
Hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Annual commemoration honoring Benjamin Harrison V, one of seven Virginia signers of the Declaration of Independence and eighteenth-century owner of Berkeley Plantation.
Ceremony included with regular admission tickets.
The ceremony begins at 12:30. Gardens, grounds, exhibits, and house open 9:30-4:30
Hauntings at Berkeley
July 17, 2026
Stories of Berkeley’s paranormal activity make for a fun and entertaining historical tour for the entire family. The evening includes a guided tour of the 1726 mansion, followed by a self-guided stroll through Berkeley’s gardens and grounds.
Tour begins: 7:00 p.m. (Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your tour begins)
Admission: $20 per adult/$9 per child (ages 6–16) Reservations required.
This tour is also available as a specialty tour for groups of twenty or more on select dates, subject to availability.
Secrets, Symbols, and Stories at Berkeley Plantation An Immersive Historical Scavenger Hunt
July 18, 2026
Step into the past and put your sleuthing skills to the test at one of America’s most storied landmarks, Berkeley Plantation. This interactive scavenger hunt goes far beyond the ordinary, inviting participants to solve clever puzzles, crack hidden codes, and decipher intriguing clues inspired by classic adventure favorites.
As you explore the plantation grounds, you’ll uncover lesser-known corners and historic highlights while racing to piece together the final mystery. Success will require teamwork, curiosity, creativity, and just a hint of boldness.
Perfect for adult teams and families with older children (high school and up), this experience is designed for seasoned puzzle-solvers. If you love history with a twist of excitement, this is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Game Type: Riddles and Ciphers
Intended Audience: High School to Adult
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Hunt begins: 10:00 a.m. (Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your hunt begins)
Cost: $20 per person. Reservations required.
The Making of America: Freedom for Some - Exploring the Lives and Contributions of Berkeley’s Enslaved Community
July 25, 2026
This all-inclusive guided tour explores more than four hundred years of Berkeley’s enslaved and enslaver history. Beginning at the Enslaved Quarters and continuing through the main floor of the 1726 manor house, the tour shares the stories of individuals who lived and labored at Berkeley—from enslavement to life as free men and women.
Following the guided tour, guests may explore the colonial kitchen, exhibits, museum, gardens, and grounds.
Tour Begins: 10:00 a.m. (Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your tour begins)
Admission: $20 per person Reservations required.
This tour is also available as a specialty tour for groups of twenty or more on select dates, subject to availability.
Preserving Today for Tomorrow: Berkeley’s America 250 Time Capsule
Aug 29, 2026
Berkeley Plantation will seal and bury a time capsule as part of our ongoing commemoration of America’s 250th and Berkeley’s 300th anniversary celebrations.
This special moment will preserve memories, reflections, and pieces of our present day for future generations to discover. We invite our community to witness history in the making as we place this capsule into the ground — a gift to 2026 and beyond.
Home tours will be offered every hour on the hour, with the final tour beginning at 4:00 p.m. If you would like to tour the manor house and attend the burial ceremony, we recommend reserving the 3:00 p.m. tour.
Burial ceremony begins at 4:15 p.m.
The time capsule burial ceremony is included with regular admission.
Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and preserve today for tomorrow.
Welcome to Berkeley Plantation
Join us in celebrating the 300th anniversary of Berkeley’s 1726 Georgian mansion. Built from brick fired on the plantation, the mansion sits atop a hill overlooking the historic James River. The date of construction and the initials of the original owners, Benjamin Harrison IV and his wife, Anne, appear in a datestone above a side door.
Berkeley’s mansion is one of the oldest three-story brick houses in Virginia. The elegant Adam woodwork and distinctive double arches of the ‘Great Room’ were added by Benjamin Harrison VI at the direction of Thomas Jefferson. The mansion’s exterior walls are an impressive 36 inches thick, topped with a slate roof, and a spacious central hall divides the home. Three floors rise above the basement, each containing four grand rooms.
Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was the first child born in the mansion and lived there until his death in 1791.
A Nation’s History
On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past and to educate future generations about the sacrifices and contributions made in the pursuit of independence.
Berkeley’s story reaches even further back, beginning in 1619, when settlers observed what is recognized as the first official Thanksgiving in America.
A Legacy That Shaped America
Berkeley is not only the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Virginia, but also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States, and the ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president.
During the Civil War, Berkeley was occupied by General George McClellan’s Union troops. While at Berkeley, General Daniel Butterfield composed the familiar tune “Taps,” first played by his bugler, O.W. Norton.
Explore the Mansion, Gardens, and Exhibits
The mansion is furnished with a rare collection of eighteenth-century antiques, Chinese porcelain, and English silver. Costumed guides lead guests through the main floor sharing stories of the first Thanksgiving, the Harrison family, the Civil War, and Berkeley’s present owners.
Native American, Colonial, and Civil War artifacts, along with historical paintings and exhibits can be explored in the eighteenth-century basement museum. The original kitchen dependency and reconstructed slave quarters tell the story of the enslaved workers who lived and worked at Berkeley.
Gardens and grounds tours are at your own pace and include five terraces leading to the banks of the James River. Benches along the way invite guests to rest and enjoy the sweeping river views.
Seasonal Traditions and Family Experiences
During the autumn season, guests can pick a pumpkin and explore Berkeley’s corn maze. On the first Sunday in November, Berkeley commemorates the historic 1619 landing. Each December, the plantation is beautifully decorated with traditional holiday greenery gathered from Berkeley’s gardens.
Tours, gift shop, museum, exhibits, special events, and children’s activities make visiting Berkeley an educational and fun experience for the entire family.
A Virginia and National Historic Landmark
Photography:
Gary Smith Images
Historical Firsts Await
America’s First Thanksgiving (1619)
The Creation and First Playing of “Taps” (1862)