Historic House Tour Returns With Four New Homes for 2024
Kimages
(Charles City County, VA) – The Autumn Pilgrimage House Tour, a tradition first organized by Westover Episcopal Church in Charles City County in 1954, is back this year and will feature seven properties, including four that have never been on the tour.
Charles City County was first settled in the 1600s as colonists expanded their footprint from Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. The tour makes it possible for visitors to visit some of the most historic homes in America, all within just a few miles of each other. These homes are rarely open to the public, making the Autumn Pilgrimage House Tour one of the only opportunities to see them in all their glory.
This year’s tour will take place on September 28. Proceeds of the day will benefit the Church and its area outreach programs, including Meals on Wheels, other local feeding programs, and children’s outreach through the County’s Social Services agency.
The following properties are featured this year:
- Berkeley Plantation: Built circa 1726, this plantation is the site of the first Thanksgiving and was the ancestral home of U.S. Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison.
- Sherwood Forest Plantation: Home of President John Tyler, this plantation home was begun circa 1660 with additions through 1845.
- Greenway: This home was built circa 1776 by Judge John Tyler Sr., who later became Governor of Virginia. His son, President John Tyler Jr., was born at Greenway and later inherited the house. Greenway remains largely unchanged from its original colonial design.
- Open Air at The Glebe: The Glebe, built in 1745 by the Westover Parish, has been updated with every convenience while keeping its historic charm.
- Piney Grove: The original 1790 log portion of Piney Grove is the sole surviving structure of the original Southall Plantation. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and today includes a collection of historic structures saved from demolition by the Gordineer family.
- Kimages: This unique home was built in 1963 on seven acres overlooking a bluff of the James River and surrounded by the Berkeley woods. The grounds include a large, meandering garden.
- Westover Episcopal Church: 411 years old and going strong, this church is home to one of the most historic parishes in the nation.
High resolution photos of several of these properties are available upon request.
Tickets are $50 when purchased before September 15 and $60 when purchased after that date. Box lunches are also available for pre-purchase (including a vegetarian option) for $18 each. Tickets and meals can be purchased online by clicking here. Note that tour sites are not handicapped accessible due to their age and historical status. The tour begins at 6401 John Tyler Memorial Hwy in Charles City, Virginia. For more information, please call (804) 829-2488.
# # #
